Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met April 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 Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Rainey, Reed, and Taylor; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Chief Poyner, Attorney McCoy, Engineer Cooper and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Alderman Moore. Also present: Mr. Brett Wright, Ms. Patt Sutor, Mr. Zach Shaw, Ms. Penny Flesner, Mrs. Jill Davis.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the April 1, 2024 City Council Meeting. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: Attorney McCoy reported that a resident in the 700 block of US Hwy 150E has requested to be annexed into the city limits. Other residents in that area could also be given the option to annex in. An ordinance would be necessary to make this change.

Engineer Report: Engineer Cooper noted that the contract has been awarded for the lead service line replacement program, but that the necessary materials are 27 weeks out.

Treasurer’s Report: No report.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Gruner moved to approve payment of the City Bills.

Alderman Eiker 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

None.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Motor Fuel Tax Resolution: Engineer Cooper reviewed the patch, oil and chip, sidewalk, concrete, and the Public Square milling and resurfacing needs and projects for 2024. Most of the work can be done by city employees, but two sidewalks will need to be contracted out to meet ADA standards. Alderman Eiker moved to allow $330,000.00 for 2024 Motor Fuel Tax projects. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent. Mayor Myers asked Engineer Cooper to review paving the 400 block of North Hebard St, the final brick street in town, and to start discussions with the railroad about Carr Street.

2. Approval of Downtown Mural Design: Mr. Brett Wright with the Knoxville Community Fund presented a design for a mural on the east outside wall at 306 E Main St, which has already been approved by the building owner and the Knox County Historic Sites. Alderman Eiker moved to approve the mural design. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with by voice vote with no dissent.

3. TRIAD Food Truck: Ms. Patt Sutor, member of TRIAD Board of Directors, requested permission to set up a food truck in Central Park during a summer band concert to bring awareness to their organization. After it was determined that there were no band concerts on their preferred date in July, Ms. Sutor was encouraged to reach out to the organizer of the upcoming seasonal Farmer’s Markets to ask to set up with them. Alderman Gruner moved to allow a TRIAD food truck to set up on in Central Park on July 24, 2024. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

4. TIF Final Approval – Sit N Knit 236 E Main St: The Economic Development Group has approved the finalized grant application for Sit N Knit at 236 E Main St. Alderman Hope moved to approve the distribution of a TIF grant for $1,671.88 to Sit N Knit. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

5. Permission to Hold a Color Run 5-18-2024: Zach Shaw with the Mable Woolsey Elementary School PTO asked permission to hold a Color Run 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on city streets on May 18, 2024 from 8:00-11:00 AM. Alderman Rainey moved to allow a Color Run on May 18, 2024. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

6. Ordinance 2024-01 – Limitation of Number of Liquor Licenses: Clerk Wilt noted that the number of liquor licenses needed to be adjusted to allow for the Knoxville Bar and Grill ceasing the sale of alcohol, and for JBH Petroleum to resume selling alcohol after an 18 month halt. Alderman Gruner moved to approve Ordinance 2024-01 Amending Limitation on Number of Liquor Licenses, changing the limitation of Class E from four (4) to three (3) and Class B from three (3) to four (4). Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

7. Appointment of City Attorney, City Engineer, Building Administrator, Auditor: Alderman Gruner moved to make the following appointments for the 2024-2025 fiscal year: City Attorney Robert McCoy with Miller, Hall & Triggs, City Engineer Kevan Cooper with Bruner, Cooper and Zuck, Building Administrator Trevor Myers, and Auditor Ben Burgland with Blucker, Kneer & Associates. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

8. Resolution 2024-05 Hire Part Time Grounds Maintenance Worker James Collura: Alderman Rainey moved to approve Resolution 2024-05 to hire Part Time Grounds Maintenance Worker James Collura at $14.00 per hour. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

9. Resolutions 2024-06 to 2024-33 Employee Compensation 2024-2025: Employee compensation recommendations from the Administrative Committee meeting on April 9, 2024 were presented. Alderman Eiker moved to approve Resolutions 2024-06 to 2024-33 Employee Compensation 2024-2025. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

Mayor’s Report:

• A monument in the cemetery was vandalized, and will be repaired.

• Prices are increasing on concrete, affecting the sidewalk replacement and repair in the downtown business district plus the addition of a sidewalk on the east side of James Knox Park.

• Suggestions for additional amenities at James Knox Park include additional pickleball courts, a fence, and a sand volleyball court.

• All dumpsters are reserved for the half price promotion for April.

• The City was the only bidder for trash removal for the Knoxville Community Unit School District #202.

• A Special Council meeting to tour City buildings will be held on Monday, April 29, 2024 at 6:00 PM, starting at the wastewater treatment plant.

• The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

Committee Reports

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: Alderman Reed reported that requests to keep the James Knox Park lights on for one hour after dark have been made by those using the pickleball courts. This will be discussed at the May 6, 2024 Council meeting. A pickleball tournament could be held in July 2024, with proceeds going towards court upkeep. Fees and insurance information will be discussed at the May 6, 2024 Council meeting. Landscaping timbers and mulch have been placed at the handicap playground area. A ribbon cutting ceremony for that area may be held at a later date.

• Police: No report

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report

• Water/Sewer: No report. 

Adjourn: At 7:42 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Eiker 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_2024-04-15.pdf