The Knox Board of Public Works is attempting to reduce the number of required drug tests that need to be conducted on city employees.
Mayor Rick Chambers asked the department heads to provide job descriptions for their employees to determine those who are required to be drug tested. The only employees that need to be tested are CDL license holders and there are only handful that work for the city.
Norem gave an update on the utilization of the drop box to the Knox Board of Public Works last week. Norem explained that residents have left a few deposits in the newly installed drop box. He hopes that more people become aware of the drop box and help rid the area of potential prescription medication thefts.
The Knox Board of Public Works held discussion with a resident concerning her water and sewer bill.
Janet Black explained to the board members that there was a water leak detected underneath her house and she didn’t know about it. Her son had fixed the leak but she was shocked when she got her water bill and it was $410.47 – a far cry from her regular bill of $61.00.
The Knox Board of Public Works approved a pay application for Chester Construction at their meeting this week in the amount of $49,563.74. The board members also approved a claim for Mark Milo Enterprises for $29,307.50.
Van Janovic from Territorial Engineering explained to the board that these claims are for the Phoenix House construction project. He said Chester’s work is about 91 percent complete and the parking lot work being done by Mark Milo is about 63 percent complete. He said he walked through the project area and was impressed with the work that has been done and it’s been on schedule.
The Knox Board of Public Works opened bids for the upcoming lift station project.
The lift station near the south side fire station on Clabaugh Drive is antiquated and will be replaced in this project.
Jeff Borg said the staff will be doing spring cleaning next week which includes leaf pick-up. They will pick up leaves if they are placed in the street along the curb and not in the alley. Brush and limbs will be picked up each Thursday.
The Knox Board of Public Works approved three change orders to the Phoenix House construction project Wednesday morning.
The construction project began in mid-January with site preparations beginning in December. The Phoenix House suffered flooding and grant money was sought by K-IRPC to aid in the construction project. The garage is being expanded to include a storage area, a group meeting room, a library and computer area.
The Knox Board of Public Works will be opening bids Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 9:30 a.m. for the CADA project.
The Coalition Against Domestic Abuse recently received a grant for a construction project at the Phoenix House. The money will be used to extend the garage at the Phoenix House, that was destroyed in a flood a few years ago.
