Knoxville Aldermen Monday night covered a variety of topics for their first May City Council meeting. First, Mayor Dennis Maurer read a proclamation instituting May as Motorcycle Awareness Month for the City of Knoxville. “I, R. Dennis Maurer, Mayor of the City of Knoxville, and in recognition of the continued role Illinois serves as a leader in motorcycle safety, education, and awareness, do hereby proclaim May this year, 2018 as Motorcycle Awareness Month in the City of Knoxville and urge all motorists to join in an effort to improve safety and awareness on our roadways.”
The Council then voted on and approved a number of annual appointments. Ben Burgland of Blucker and Kneer was re-appointed as City Auditor; Kevan Cooper of Bruner, Cooper, and Zuck Inc. was re-appointed as City Engineer; Robert McCoy of Miller, Hall, & Triggs was re-appointed as City Attorney; and Larry Rigg was re-appointed as Building Administrator. Aldermen also approved the re-appointments of Ann Peck, Terry Maurer, and David Wilt as Knoxville Public Library Trustees.
Aldermen also approved the resignation of City Clerk Charlie Gruner. For personal, family health related reasons, Gruner has not been able to perform his duties as outlined in a letter to the council. Gruner also resigned from his position on the Planning Commission.
Another issue brought forward to the council by Alderman Dan Eiker was the city ordinances on allowing residents to keep poultry on their property. Complaints of roosters crowing at the break of dawn had been an issue in the past. Attorney Robert McCoy told the council, after reviewing some ordinances, there were some “gaps” in the limitations of housing livestock including poultry in town. Eiker’s concern was more the living conditions of the poultry in town – stating, for example, the chickens he was aware of lived outside 365 days a year in a dog house. McCoy told the council that there are animal cruelty ordinances on the books, but the council should adopt definitions of what livestock is and what is considered “zone agricultural”. Mayor Dennis Maurer suggested “tightening up” the definitions of livestock within city limits and require a limit on the number of animals residents could keep on their property.
Lastly, the Piecemakers Quilt Guild will be holding a bi-annual quilt show at Knoxville High School on the first weekend in August. The Guild, in it’s 20th year, will be featuring a trunk show of 40 quilts, 200 judged quilts, vendors, a bake sale and more on display.
