Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met Feb. 3

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 and Treasurer Barnum. Absent: City Clerk Wilt, Chief Poyner, and Attorney McCoy. Also present: Ms. Barb Kirchgessner, Ms. Susan Bates, Mr. Kevin Bowman, Mr. Lance Mitchell, Mrs. Jill Davis, Ms. Penny Flesner, Mr. Aaron Steele.

Treasurer Barnum served as City Clerk Pro Tem.

Public Comments: Mr. Lance Mitchell, 303 S. Timber St, voiced his concerns about a dispute over the City alley behind his property and the neighbor living adjacent to the alley who had called the police on his son. He would like a hard surface, since it is used to access the parking area behind his house. Ms. Susan Bates, 302 S. Broad St, stated there was damage to her property, even though a no trespassing sign was displayed on a pole since the ground was frozen.

She said she reported a friend of the neighbor’s son who was driving the car to the police, not the son. She does not want the alley rocked/hard surfaced, or shared ownership. Mr. Mitchell reported that the officer advised Ms. Bates the alley was City property and that there was no damage to her fence or property. Mayor Myers stated the City and Attorney McCoy are working to find a solution and exploring the legality of a solid surface.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the January 20, 2025 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: City Clerk Wilt requested an announcement be made in her absence that

Chief Poyner has achieved 27 years with the city as of February 2, 2025.

INFORMATION ITEMS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Flock Safety Cameras: Item tabled until the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Resolution 2025-02 – Temporary Road Closure for St Patrick’s Day Parade March 15, 2025: Alderman Rainey moved to approve Resolution 2025-02 to hold a St Patrick’s Day Parade at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 15, 2025 with a temporary road closure from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

Mayor’s Report:

• The water main leak by Love’s/Hardees has slowed down. No pipes have been found and digging will resume when the weather gets warmer.

• Will meet with City Engineer Kevan Cooper along with Alderman Eiker to discuss downtown project plan (sidewalks, handicap ramps, sewer lining).

• Park project: plans to dig out pond, remove some trees to make pond bigger, widen playground area sidewalk to be handicap accessible, finish concrete sidewalk around the park perimeter and possibly over by cemetery/St. Mary’s area, put distance markers for walkers. Alderman Reed is planning a movie in the park event.

• The next regularly scheduled Council Meeting will be on Monday, February 17, 2025 at 7:00 PM.

Committee Reports:

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: No report.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: Alderman Hillier reported that a local business would like to set up a food stand in the park on 4th of July. They will need to attend a meeting to make the request.

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 7:25 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_2025-02-03.pdf