The Knoxville City Council discussed street weight limits during last night’s council meeting. Currently certain city streets are exempt from being included on the weight limit list – mainly due to some being state and county roads. City attorney Rob McCoy told the council that he drafted an updated ordinance with more details and heftier fines. “We DO have an ordinance already in regards to 5-ton (limits),” McCoy said. “It does provide a bit of a heftier fine. The first offense is going to be $200 – second offense is going to be $400. If someone is stopped for driving over the weight limit, and don’t drive directly- easiest, fastest route away, they’ll be fined another $150.” Streets exempt from the ordinance would include Main, North, Cross, South Broad, Henderson Road, and Carr Street – or Knox Station Road where the Knoxville Township sits. A state law already on the books allows farm trucks hauling goods to be heavier than allowed during certain emergencies. Govenor Bruce Rauner issued the declaration last harvest season after heavy rains delayed getting crops out of the fields. Municipal streets are not a part of that ordinance. Knoxville Police Chief Ron Poyner told the council that to be fair, he would like to see signage on every road in and out of town. The ordinance update passed 7-0.
The Knoxville Police Department is getting positions filled. During last night’s City Council Meeting, Knoxville Alderman approved the hiring of Police Officer Shawn Keith – pending testing results, signing of the contract, and training completion. At their last meeting, the council approved the new police employment contract which would pay just over $6,000 for training. Chief Ron Poyner told Alderman that if they wait on approving the hiring, they may have to wait until August for training – and in that case, price could change. “I talked with him (Keith) in regards to the contract that we agreed upon during our last meeting, and he’s agrees with that contract,” Poyner said. “PTI prices are good through June. So if this goes, and I get him into his school in May – I don’t know if there’s still openings, but that’s where that $6,020 is guaranteed.” Aldermen approved the hiring. The council also approved the purchase of a new squad car. The city will purchasing a new 2018 Ford Taurus squad car from Yemm Ford and trading in a 2013 Impala squad car that’s had “some issues”. Total cost to the city would be just over $23,500. ($23,503.08)
