Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Jan. 15.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to Order: Mayor Myers called the regular Council Meeting to order at 7:00 PM. All rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Moore, Rainey, Reed, and Taylor; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Chief Poyner, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Alderman Eiker, Attorney McCoy. Also present: Ms. Morgan Seabloom, Officer Zac Cox, Mr. Trevor Myers. 

Public Comments: Ms. Morgan Seabloom updated the Council on plans for the St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 16, 2024. The parade is one of several activities for the proposed "Shamroxville” celebration on that day. The Council will consider a resolution for highway closure for this parade at its February 4, 2024 Council meeting. The parade will go down Main St east to west only, and not reverse the route to go back.  

Officer Zac Cox addressed the Council, reporting that due to scheduling, weather, and holidays, he had worked 27 days in a row. He stated that he was grateful for his employment, for the overtime pay, and that he thanks and appreciates Chief Poyner and the part time officers who  support and serve the city. He further stated that he loves his job, but that January 9 was Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and there was no recognition of the city police officers such as  he had seen when previously working for a different agency. He wanted to make the Council aware of that day, plus National Police Week that is coming up May 15-21, 2024.  

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the January 2, 2024 City Council Meeting. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent. 

GENERAL REPORTS 

Attorney Report: No report. 

Engineer Report: No report. 

Treasurer’s Report: No report. 

City Clerk’s Report: Clerk Wilt noted that on January 14, 2024 Account Specialist Melanie Tuthill celebrated her 20th anniversary as a city employee.  

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Hillier moved to approve payment of the City Bills. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. 

INFORMATION ITEMS 

• Mayor Myers noted that the monthly departmental operating reports were available in the  online Council packet. 

OLD BUSINESS 

1. Demolition of 209 N Hebard St: No new information on this project. 

NEW BUSINESS 

1. Purchase Replacement Water Meters: Water Superintendent Johnson ordered twelve new water meters over seven months ago, at an approximate cost of $195.00 per meter. A total of forty-eight meters were recently delivered, and Mr. Johnson has asked permission to keep the overage to use to replace any broken meters as needed. No invoice  has been issued yet. Alderman Gruner moved to keep 48 meters from Midwest Meter, for the approximate cost of $9,360.00. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which  passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. A broken meter was recently  replaced outside of regular business hours, so an after-hours meter replacement rate should be established.  

2. Natural Gas Contract for City Buildings: The natural gas contract for city buildings is up for renewal in May 2024. Rock River Energy Services recommends contracting with Vanguard Energy for an index based program instead of locking into a fixed pricing plan. Alderman Hillier moved to contract with Vanguard Energy for the VUI 24 month  program, effective May 1, 2024. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed by seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.  

3. Appoint Trevor Myers as Building Administrator: Building Administrator Doug Roehlk passed away on January 3, 2024. Mayor Myers has been covering the Building Administrator responsibilities during Mr. Roehlk’s illness and since his passing. Employee Trevor Myers has applied for the open position, and previous consultation with  Attorney McCoy has verified that a current employee may hold this position. Alderman Hillier moved to approve Trevor Myers as Building Administrator. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.  

Mayor’s Report: 

• Thank you to all employees in all departments for snow removal and for working during the snow storms and extreme low temperatures from January 9 through January 15, 2024. 

• A thank you note from the Knoxville Food Pantry was circulated.  

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, February 5, 2024 at 7:00 PM.  

Committee Reports 

• Administration: No report.  

• Cemetery: No report.  

• Economic Development: No report. 

• Parks: No report.

• Police: Chief Poyner noted that he will be presenting a proposal to purchase a Dodge Durango SUV squad vehicle and he wants to cancel a vehicle ordered from another source over one year ago that has not been received. 

• Sanitation: Alderman Hope reported that she would be meeting with Supervisor of Public Works Rossell to formulate a 5-year plan for her department. 

• Streets: No report 

• Water/Sewer: Alderman Gruner stated that Water Superintendent Johnson will assist the wastewater treatment plant employees in formulating a 5-year plan. He also stated that sewer lines should be prioritized by street location for the sewer relining project.  

Adjourn: At 7:32 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. The meeting was adjourned. 

https://kville.org/wp-content/uploads/minutes-agendas-newsletters/Minutes_2024-01-15.pdf