Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Nov. 4

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, Hope, Moore, Rainey and Reed; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Attorney McCoy, Chief Poyner, and City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Aldermen Gruner, Hillier and Taylor. Also present: Mr. Chad Morse, Ms. Penny Flesner, Mrs. Jill Davis.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Eiker moved to approve the Minutes of the October 21, 2024 City Council Meeting. Alderman Rainey 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 the dates to file nominating petitions for the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election are November 12-18, 2024.

INFORMATION ITEMS

OLD BUSINESS

1. 1% Sales Tax: The IL Municipal Code empowers a non-home rule municipality to impose sales tax up to 1% to provide property tax relief and investment in public infrastructure. Alderman Eiker moved to approve Ordinance 2024-06 Implementing a Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax. Alderman Rainey seconded the motion, which passed with five (5) Yes votes and three (3) Absent. This Ordinance will be filed with the IL Department of Revenue, and will take effect on July 1, 2025.

2. TIF Final Approval – Linda Anderson 232 E Main St: The Economic Development Group has approved the finalized grant application for Linda Anderson for 232 E Main St. Alderman Moore moved to approve the distribution of a TIF grant for $22,097.46 for Linda Anderson. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with five (5) Yes votes and three (3) Absent. 

NEW BUSINESS

1. Property and Liability Insurance Renewal: Chad Morse, President of Porter-Hay Insurance Agency, presented the 2025 Property and Liability Insurance renewal plan from the IL Municipal League Risk Management Association, which included a 5% increase over the 2024 plan. Alderman Rainey moved to contract the 2025 Property and Liability insurance renewal with Porter-Hay Insurance Agency for $82,162.21.  Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with five (5) Yes votes and three (3) Absent.

2. Supplemental Appropriations: Due to major storms in July 2024, the Contract Labor line item amount appropriated for the Street Department has already been overspent by $21,175.00, with more to follow. Attorney McCoy presented a draft ordinance which transfers $60,000.00 from the Street Dept Acct 715.000 Repair and Maintenance of Buildings appropriation to the Street Dept Acct 742.000 Contract Services appropriation.

Also, the City has received $978,26.18 in loan proceeds from the IL EPA for the lead line replacement project since the adoption of the Annual Appropriation Ordinance, so funds need to be added as a supplement. As the Ordinance required a super-majority for adoption, Mayor Myers was required to vote. Alderman Hillier moved to approve Ordinance 2024-07 Providing for Supplemental Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes (which included Mayor Myers) and three (3) Absent.

3. Illinois Local Debt Recovery: Mayor Myers tabled this item, pending additional review.

4. Wash South Water Tower: Mayor Myers, on behalf of Alderman Gruner, presented two bids to wash the south water tower. Raff Sand & Gravel quoted the lower bid of $6,750.00. Alderman Rainey moved to contract with Raff Sand & Gravel for $6,750.00 to wash the south water tower. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with five (5) Yes votes and three (3) Absent.

Mayor’s Report:

• The bathroom at James Knox Park was vandalized today.

• The Mayor attended the Knoxville Community Fund innovation visioning session on October 30, 2024. Ideas for the parks and the downtown area were discussed.

• A note from Summer Band Director Bob Fornander was circulated, thanking the City for the donation made in memory of Vera Fornander.

• The next regularly scheduled Council Meeting will be held on Monday, November 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

Committee Reports:

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: No report.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: No report

Adjourn: At 7:32 PM, Alderman Rainey 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_2024-11-04.pdf