Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met March 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, Treasurer Barnum, Chief Poyner, Engineer Cooper, City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Attorney McCoy. Also present: Mr. Lance Mitchell, Mr. Brennon Dean, Mrs. Patricia Mannhardt, Mr. Bernard Mates, Mrs. Jill Davis, Ms. Penny Flesner, Mr. Aaron Steele.

Public Comments: Mr. Lance Mitchell, 303 S. Timber St, voiced his concerns about the continuing dispute over the City alley behind his property and the neighbor living adjacent to the alley. He stated that the neighbor had misstated facts to the Council at a recent meeting, and asked if there were any repercussions to that. He stated that he wants to add a handicap accessible ramp to the back of his home, as there is not enough room for one in the front, and asked about bringing in rock just for the portion of the alley behind his home, and wanted to make sure his plans are valid. It was noted that just adding rock may be ineffective as the rock will sink and will not remain in the area where it was initially placed. He stated that the ramp is a medical necessity for his wife. The alley has not been vacated by the City. Chief Poyner noted again that this is a civil matter between two neighbors. Mr. Mitchell stated he would consider any options, and asked for help. Mayor Myers stated that he would meet with Mr. Mitchell at his home to offer suggestions.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the February 17, 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: No report.

INFORMATION ITEMS

None.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Knoxville Fire Department Request to Close Street for Annual Testing Apr 22-23, 2025: Fire Chief Brennon Dean requested permission to close a portion of Ann St for annual mandated fire hose testing. Alderman Rainey moved to close Ann St between Timber and Hebard Streets on April 22-23, 2025 for Fire Department fire hose testing. Alderman Taylor seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

2. Downtown Streetscape Project: Engineer Cooper presented a proposed downtown streetscape project, prepared with input from Mayor Myers and Alderman Eiker. Phase I includes new paving on the east and west sides of the Public Square, ADA compliant sidewalk ramps, sidewalk improvements on East Main St and South Timber St, and sidewalk railings on Main St and new street lighting, with a projected cost of $748,000.00. Funding can come from the Motor Fuel Tax and TIF accounts. Phase II includes decorative street lighting and additional accessible sidewalks in the East Main St business district, with a projected cost of $1,921,000.00. City employees could perform some of the sidewalk work, and Phase II may be split off into additional phases. The bid process for Phase I will be discussed at the March 17, 2025 Council meeting.

3. Purchase Additional Police Department Body Cameras: Alderman Moore stated that three additional body cameras beyond the five already purchased would assure that every full-time officer plus the two part-time officers working the most hours would have their own body camera, avoiding cross contamination of evidence. Alderman Moore moved to purchase three (3) body cameras from Midwest Public Safety for $5,127.00. Alderman Hillier seconded the motion, which passed with eight (8) Yes votes.

Mayor’s Report:

• The City and Old National Bank are being sued by an individual who tripped on a hole next to the sidewalk at the former bank at 324 E Main St and was injured.

• The clean-up of the brush and trees in the area on the northwest area of town near the water main was started on March 1, 2025. The first bill from 3K Farms has been received.

• Some Council members were able to attend the Knoxville High School FFA banquet on April 27, 2025.

• The software provider for the City’s utility billing, payroll, and accounting functions has announced that the end of life of the current software will occur in 2026. This item will be discussed at the March 17, 2025 Council meeting.

• Changing employee health insurance brokers will be discussed at the March 17, 2025 Council meeting.

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

Committee Reports:

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: Alderman Hillier stated that she would be attending the Public Library Board meeting on March 4, 2025, and that the Library may be requesting their appropriated funding.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: No report

• Police: No report.

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: No report.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 7:33 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_2025-03-03.pdf