Galesburg Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council met April 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, and Taylor; Mayor Myers, Treasurer Barnum, Chief Poyner, Attorney McCoy, City Clerk Wilt. Absent: Alderman Reed. Also present: Mr. Michael Rozum, Ms. Barb Kirchgessner, Mrs. Jill Davis, Ms. Penny Flesner, Mr. Aaron Steele.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Gruner moved to approve the Minutes of the March 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: Clerk Wilt reported that April 8, 2025 is the one year work anniversary for Street Department Utility Worker Johnathan German, and that April 16, 2025 is her thirteen year work anniversary.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Downtown Streetscape Project: Item tabled until a later time.

2. Consideration to Increase Utility Rates: Mayor Myers suggested setting up an automatic increase to utility rates according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This item will be discussed at the May 5, 2025 Council meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Employee Health Insurance: Michael Rozum with Gallagher Benefit Services Inc presented information concerning his company’s options for becoming the City’s health insurance broker. This subject will be discussed at the April 21, 2025 Council meeting.

2. Draft Ordinance Prohibiting Camping, Storage of Personal Property, and Sleeping on Public Property: Attorney McCoy presented a draft ordinance as recommended by Chief Poyner. Alderman Gruner moved to approve Ordinance 2025-03, with the additional wording of “During the hours between dusk and dawn” at the beginning of Section 17-2-2. Alderman Hope seconded the motion, which failed with two (2) Yes votes, five (5) No votes (Hillier, Rainey, Taylor, Moore and Eiker), and one (1) Absent.

Alderman Moore moved to approve Ordinance 2025-03 as originally presented.

Alderman Taylor seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes, one (1) No vote (Hope) and one (1) Absent.

3. Resolution 2025-05 Hire Part Time Grounds Maintenance Worker Cooper Ray: Alderman Hillier moved to approve Resolution 2025-05 to Hire Part time Grounds Maintenance Worker Cooper Ray at $15.00 per hour. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

4. Replace Water Department Pipe & Cable Locator: Alderman Gruner moved to purchase a new pipe & cable locator for the Water Department for an estimated cost of $4,580.00. Alderman Hope seconded the motion, which passed with seven (7) Yes votes and one (1) Absent.

Mayor’s Report:

• Estimates to dredge the James Knox Park pond will be solicited soon.

• The Street Department needs to hire a Temporary Full Time Utility Employee.

• Appropriations will be discussed in the first quarter of the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

• An alternative utility billing and financial solutions software package was reviewed by the office staff. It offers a substantial savings over the option presented by the current vendor. Options will be discussed at a future meeting.

• Banking alternatives are also being reviewed, as the First Mid Bank & Trust Knoxville branch will be closing in August 2025.

• The next regularly scheduled Council Meeting will be on Monday, April 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM.

Committee Reports:

• Administration: No report.

• Cemetery: Alderman Hillier reported that the Library is not scheduled to receive their Per Capita grant in 2025 due to Federal Department of Government Efficiency mandates.

Library Board member Val Morris will replace Rae Slaton as Board Secretary. Alderman Hillier also commended Chief Poyner for the fast response by the Police Department when her neighbor recently reported a possible crime.

• Economic Development: No report.

• Parks: Alderman Moore reported that the Hinkle Sports Field outside of city limits is totally shut down and unavailable for youth games or practices. An areawide committee has been formed, and the group may approach the Council.

• Police: No report

• Sanitation: No report.

• Streets: Alderman Eiker reported that they are purchasing lighting and other safety equipment for night and/or emergency work.

• Water/Sewer: No report.

Adjourn: At 7:59 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_2025-04-07.pdf