Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Oct. 7

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, Moore, Rainey, Reed and Taylor; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Chief Poyner, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Attorney McCoy.

Also present: Mr. Geoff Hurd, Mrs. Patricia Mannhardt, Ms. Penny Flesner, Mrs. Jill Davis.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the September 16, 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 distributed the completed 2023-2024 financial audit. Auditor Ben Burgland will be in attendance at the October 21, 2024 Council meeting to present his findings. She also stated that she had received notice from the IL Dept of Transportation that the Motor Fuel Tax audit for 2023 was found to be correct.

INFORMATION ITEMS

OLD BUSINESS

1. 1% Sales Tax: As all meeting attendees had already heard a previous presentation about the 1% Sales Tax, Mayor Myers tabled additional discussion on this proposal until the October 21, 2024 Council meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Blacktop Basketball Court at James Knox Park: Johnson Trucking and Blacktopping submitted a bid for $11,592.00 to resurface and widen the blacktop on the basketball court at James Knox Park. A second bid is being solicited. The Council was instructed to consider alternative or additional uses for the area, and to bring ideas to a future

2. Review Cemetery Burial of Cremains Fees: Cemetery Sexton Geoff Hurd proposed changes to the grave opening prices: change the wording from “$200.00 for burial of cremains interred in the headstone on weekdays” to “$200.00 for permit for burial of cremains interred in the headstone” and completely remove “$300.00 for burial of cremains interred in the headstone on Saturdays” and “$400.00 for burial of cremains interred in the headstone on Sundays.” Additional fees to cover overtime for City employees is not necessary, as the monument companies are responsible for interring cremains into a headstone. Also, Mr. Hurd proposed changing the additional charge fee for late burials from $100.00 per hour to $200.00 per hour. Alderman Hillier moved to make the noted changes. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes. Mr. Hurd asked for consideration in changing the name of cemetery deeds to “Gravesite Burial Certificate.” This matter will be discussed at the October 21, 2024 Council meeting.

3. Set Halloween Trick or Treat Hours: Alderman Hillier moved to set Trick or Treat hours from 6:00-8:00 PM on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

4. Close City Hall Friday, November 29, 2024: Alderman Gruner moved to close City Hall annually on the day after Thanksgiving, starting November 29, 2024. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. All other City services will remain open, and City Hall employees will use vacation time for that day.

5. Resolution 2024-46 – Temporary Closure for a Christmas Parade December 7, 2024: Alderman Hillier moved to approve Resolution 2024-46 – Temporary Closure for a Christmas Parade December 7, 2024 at 1:00 PM. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

6. City Employee/Board Christmas Party: Alderman Moore moved to hold a City Employee/Board Member Christmas Party on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at the Knoxville American Legion from 4:00-7:00 PM. Alderman Gruner seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

Mayor’s Report:

• The house at 209 N Hebard St is being razed starting today.

• No quotes have been received yet for the downtown light poles.

• The TIF extension letters of approval have been submitted.

• Johnson Trucking and Blacktopping is interested in executing the oil and chip project in 2025, since the Knox County Highway Department is taking at least one year off. If Knoxville decides to go ahead with the project in 2025, bids will be solicited.

• Some of the extra unused power poles have been taken down.

• The first weekend of the Knox County Scenic Drive on October 5-6, 2024 was successful

• There will be a closed executive session to discuss employee holiday bonuses at 6:30 PM on December 2, 2024, prior to the regular 7:00 PM meeting.

• The next regularly scheduled Council Meeting will be held on Monday, October 21, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

Committee Reports:

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: Alderman Reed reported that he is soliciting high school students to volunteer to paint the shelter at James Knox Park.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: Alderman Gruner reported the following:

○ The lead line replacement project is complete, and all yards and streets have been restored to their original state. One household refused replacement, and signed a waiver.

○ The sewer lining project and the corresponding EPA loan have been approved. Start date is scheduled for April 2025.

○ The hydrants have been flushed, with one hydrant needing replacement.

○ There is a plan in place to regularly exercise the water valves.

○ The park restroom upgrades have been completed.

○ One valve and the skimmer at the wastewater treatment plant need replacing.

Adjourn: At 7:30 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_2024-10-07.pdf