CITY OF KNOXVILLE 

Regular Council Meeting

Knoxville Police Station, 215 N. Hebard St., Knoxville

Monday, May 20, 2013, 7:00 PM

MINUTES

Mayor Johnson Called the Meeting to Order at 7:00 PM on Monday, May 20, 2013. All rose to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:  Present: Council Members Olin, Maurer Heller, Mahar, Myers, Naslund and Malone. Mayor Johnson, Treasurer Whitney, Attorney McCoy, Engineer Cooper, Chief of Police Poyner, Supervisor of Public Works Myers and Acting City Clerk Gruner. Absent: Council Member McGovern.

Public Comments: Bridget Mayfield asked questions regarding a fence between her property and a neighbor’s. Attorney McCoy clarified that the City will not represent either party in the building of the fence.

Approval of Minutes:  Council Member Malone Moved that the minutes of the May 6, 2013 Council Meeting be approved. The motion was Seconded by Council Member Olin and passed by voice vote with no dissent.

Attorney Report:   None

Engineer Report:    The Ground Storage Tank painting is expected to be completed in mid-June. The application for funding for water meters has been submitted to the IEPA and there are no problems anticipated.

Treasurer’s Report: The fiscal year is ending with a surplus of $18,809.78 in the Town Fund.

City Clerk Report:  The Clerk pointed to the “Thank You” note in the package from the Project Graduation Committee for the City’s contribution to the event. He added that he and Alderman Maurer had attended the “Elected and Appointed Officials Municipal Law Seminar” in East Peoria, hosted by Miller, Hall & Triggs, LLC. The seminar is held every other year and was worthwhile. He recommended that members of the Council attend at the next session.

Payment of City’s Bills:  Council Member Maurer moved that the City Bills be paid. Council Member Mahar Seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) YES votes, zero (0) NO votes and one (1) absent.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Morgan Shaw and Laura Lytle asked to subdivide a lot they wish to purchase at 309 E. Depot St.  The legal description of the changes to the property, from the attorney for the buyers, was included in the package to the Aldermen. Attorney McCoy stated that he would still need a Platt of the changes and then it would have to be sent back through the Planning Commission.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Charles Rogers – Culvert on Mill Street on City Right-of-Way. At 309 S. Timber, the alleyway behind the house. Supervisor of Public Works Myers raised some objections including the fact that the City does not maintain alley ways. He will check to see if the alley had been vacated. If it has been vacated, the property is then owned by each of the property owners adjacent to it and it would not be used by others without express permission from each of the owners. If it has not been vacated, each property owner would have to agree to “rock” the way to make it a through alley way and would also have to agree to maintain it on an ongoing basis.
2. Recommendations from the Plan Commission regarding the RP Lumber request. Council Member Maurer Moved that the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve the RP Lumber request to divide the property as laid out on the request. The motion was Seconded by Council Member Heller and passed with seven (7) YES votes, zero (0) NO votes and one (1) absent.
3. Recommendations from the Plan Commission regarding two TIF requests. Maurer. Council Member Maurer has been communicating with Steve Kline regarding the difference between “ordinary maintenance” and TIF eligible projects. Both requests will be returned to the Planning Commission with this clarification. Alderman Maurer will attend the Planning Commission meeting to explain and answer any questions
4. Recommendations from the Plan Commission regarding Pole Frame Structures to be built as residences.  The request will be sent back to the Planning Commission. A drawing with specifications will need to be submitted with the request.  
5. Status of Action Team Taskforce:  Attorney McCoy explained his opinion that the Action Team is NOT an official body of the City of Knoxville and is, therefore, not subject to requirements of the Open Meetings Act, since no member is appointed by an official of the City and the Action Teams are not funded by the City. Citizen Peg Bivens expressed her concern because many volunteers who work on projects to benefit the City might not be covered by insurance.
6. Fair Ground Water Charges:  Council Member Mahar stated that the water to the Fair Grounds had not been completely turned off during the winter as it was supposed to have been. Treasurer Whitney said that he was supposed to have done it and had not confirmed that the valve was indeed completely closed. As a result water was running through the Fair Grounds and leaking out of the system. The Fair Ground water bill was $3,715.05. Alderman Mahar Moved that one half (1/2) of the bill be waived because the fault was partly due to the City. Alderman Maurer Seconded the motion which passed with seven (7) YES votes, zero (0) NO votes and one (1) absent.
7. Ameren Contract – Stacy Jones

Committee Reports: 

Administrative – Maurer: Dusti Watson will be rescheduled to 6:00 PM on Monday, June 3, 2013 instead of tonight because of a conflict in his schedule. Watson will present a demonstration of his changes to the City’s website.

        Cemetery – Olin:  None

        Community & Economic Development – McGovern:  Mayor Johnson reported that work is being planned for a project to save some buildings in the Knoxville Business District. Asked about any progress with the Peterson proposal for the PEO lot, the Mayor said that Peterson is still involved in a market study.

        Parks – Malone: Work has been done to repair some of the swings and other park toys. The mower has had to be fixed. A lift is needed to tighten the brackets holding the cameras in the park

        Police – Myers: The Police Department is in need of a projector and a screen.  Chief Poyner will get the software needed for his computers to be able to use them. Treasurer Whitney offered to donate a ceiling-hung screen if he can get help removing it.

        Sanitation – Naslund: The new Garbage Truck has arrived. It still needs to be licensed before it can be put into service.

        Streets – Heller:

        Water/Sewer – Mahar:

Mayor’s Report:  Mayor Johnson asked the Council Members to come up with goals for the improvement of the City.

New Agenda Items:         None were presented at this time.

ADJOURN:  Council Member Maurer moved that the meeting be adjourned at 8:25 PM. Council Member Olin seconded the motion which passed by voice vote with no dissent.

Submitted by:

Charlie Gruner, Acting City Clerk