The council approved the renewal of the city employee health insurance plan through United Healthcare. The current plan expires on September 1st.
Once again, the Knoxville golf cart ordinance was discussed at length during last night’s meeting. Enhancements to the ordinance will include: carts must have a half-windshield – mainly to display a city permit sticker, and carts can only carry the amount of riders as it has seats for. Golf carts with cargo areas cannot contain occupants. Cart drivers must purchase a city sticker permit which is $50 and are valid: November 1st to November 1st the following year. Golf carts are also not allowed on state or county highways – meaning carts are not allowed on Main Street, Broad Street, or Henderson Road. Carts can cross county and state highways – but not at the intersections of Main and Broad or Main and Henderson. Drivers must also abide by child restraint safety laws.
The council also approved, that with the passing of George Hurd, Geoff Hurd was appointed as the Knoxville Cemetery Sexton.
Aldermen were given a presentation by Dalbir Singh owner of Knox Discount Liquor on South Henderson Street in Galesburg. Singh plans on opening a grocery store 222 East Main Street in Knoxville. The building is owned by Elias Sahyouni as is currently under renovations. “It’s going to be a grocery (store) but to survive, we need additional help to bring people in – selling tobacco and liquor,” Singh said. “(These) are plans that I drew. (There will be) glass doors for an entryway. On the left corner of the store when you enter, that aisle is only for liquor. Then there is one….two….three…four…..five (aisles) all for groceries: fruits, vegetables, fresh meats.” One of the biggest concerns from Aldermen was the limited parking in front of the former Goff’s Appliance building. Alderman Toby Myers and Alderman Karen Benjamin urged Singh to expand the rear entrance of the building to utilize a city-owned lot behind the building. Singh told the council he will continue finalizing plans for the store’s layout and parking. The business will be considered for a Class C Liquor License at the next Knoxville City Council meeting on Tuesday, September 4th.
