Grundy Reporter

City of Knoxville City Council Met Jan. 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Due to the current Illinois Governor’s Executive Order regarding the COVID-19 Stay at Home Mandate, this Regular City Council meeting was held via remote access in accordance with current Open Meetings Act guidelines.

Call to Order: Mayor Maurer called the Meeting to order at 7:02 PM.

All recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Present: Aldermen Eiker, Gruner, Hillier, Hope, Howard, and Myers; Mayor Maurer, Chief of Police Poyner, Attorney McCoy, Engineer Cooper, and City Clerk Wilt.Absent: Aldermen Benjamin and Naslund, and Treasurer Whitney.

Public Comments: None.

Approval of Minutes: Alderman Hillier moved to approve the Minutes of the January 4, 2021 City Council Meeting. Alderman Eiker seconded the motion which passed with six (6) Yes and two (2) Absent.

GENERAL REPORTS

Attorney Report: Attorney McCoy reported that lawsuits had been filed against former employees Shawn Keith and Ryder Cudd, for contractual repayment of police training costs.Engineer Report: Engineer Cooper reported that street projects were delayed in 2020 due to COVID-19, and that the same thing could happen in 2021. The Henderson Road resurfacing project will be let put for bids later in the year, with the state paying 80% and the City paying 20% of the costs.

Treasurer’s Report: Mayor Maurer reported for Treasurer Whitney that the monthly reports from November and December 2020 are caught up and posted on the website.

City Clerk’s Report: No report.

Payment of City Bills: Alderman Gruner moved to approve payment of the City Bills; Alderman Hillier seconded the motion which passed with six (6) Yes votes and two (2) Absent.

INFORMATION ITEMS

Mayor Maurer noted that the monthly departmental operating reports were available in the online Council packet.

Barbara Slaton passed away on January 8, 2021. For the past few years, Mrs. Slaton had organized and hosted an annual trivia night benefitting the Knoxville July 4 fireworks.

OLD BUSINESS

1. City Hall Addition: Mayor Maurer and Alderman Myers presented the finalized City Hall Addition plans prepared by Bruner, Cooper, and Zuck. Features were described and shared, including security. The target completion date is December 2021. Alderman Gruner moved to let the City Hall Addition out for bid. Alderman Howard seconded the motion, which passed with six (6) Yes votes and two (2) Absent.

None.

Mayor’s Report:

NEW BUSINESS

Although Illinois and Knox County are under evolving COVID-19 restrictions, nothing has been noted by the state about resuming in-person Council meetings. By general consent, the February 1, 2021 meeting will be held via remote access, but the Council will be polled as to when they might feel comfortable returning to in-person.

The required Sexual Harassment Prevention Training was completed by all employees by December 31, 2020.

The next regularly scheduled Council meeting will be held on Monday, February 1, 2021 at 7:00 pm, via remote access.

The next Library Board meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.

Committee Reports

Administration: No report.

Cemetery: No report.

Economic Development: No report.

Parks: No report.

Police: Alderman Howard asked about the recent unfunded mandate passed with regard

to law enforcement. Attorney McCoy will try to answer any questions, but it is unsure

how this mandate will affect us locally.

Sanitation: No report.

Streets: Alderman Eiker reported that about half of the Street and Sanitation employees

would like to receive the COVID vaccination. A discussion of guidelines for employee vaccinations will be placed on the February 1, 2021 Council agenda. Alderman Myers asked to revisit the consideration for paying for the replacement sidewalk at 221 W. Ann St. This will be placed on the February 1, 2021 Council agenda.

Water/Sewer: Alderman Gruner noted that the manual generator in the Water department should be replaced with an automatic one in the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The old one could possibly be used at the wastewater treatment plant. Mayor Maurer asked the status of the lead water line replacement grant program. Engineer Cooper stated that the application is in process.

Adjourn: At 7:51 PM, Alderman Gruner moved to Adjourn the Meeting; Alderman Eiker seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote with no dissent. The meeting was adjourned.