The Knox Board of Works will hold hearings on code enforcement issues this morning. Public hearings are scheduled for 504 East Culver Road, 1498 East John Street, and 342-344 West Spruce Drive. Last month, Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost told board members that the biggest concern at the time was junk vehicles.
Continue readingKnox Board of Works Renews Fire Protection Agreements with Center, Jackson Townships
The City of Knox is hoping to streamline the approval process for fire protection agreements. The board of works recently agreed to continue letting Center Township and part of Jackson Township get fire protection from the Knox-Center Township Volunteer Fire Department for 2021. Center Township will once again pay $30,000 for the year, while Jackson Township’s cost is $5,000.
Continue readingKnox to Pick Up Christmas Trees on Thursday
Knox residents with natural Christmas trees can once again place them outside for disposal. The city will be picking them up New Year’s Eve, according to Mayor Dennis Estok.
Continue readingKnox Wastewater Plant Project Wrapping Up
Work at the Knox Wastewater Treatment Plant was set to reach final completion Wednesday, 12 days after the most recent deadline. Engineer Steve Henschen with Jones Petrie Rafinski says that when the board of works had an executive session last Monday, Thieneman Construction still had about 15 to 20 items remaining on the punch list, most notably, the installation of an overhead door.
Continue readingKnox Board of Works to Discuss Fire Protection Agreements Today
The Knox Board of Works will discuss 2021 fire protection agreements with Center and Jackson townships this morning. Some of the final pay applications for the wastewater treatment plant improvement project are expected to be up for approval, and the city’s superintendents will give their regular reports.
Continue readingDave Combs to Rejoin Knox City Police
A familiar face will soon be rejoining the Knox City Police Department. The board of works voted unanimously last week to hire Dave Combs for the open patrolman position.
Continue readingKnox Board of Works to Consider Filling Patrolman Position, Get Code Enforcement Updates
A decision on a new police officer may officially be made during today’s Knox Board of Works meeting. Board members will consider a recommendation to fill the patrolman position.
Continue readingKnox Board of Works Approves Another Extension for Wastewater Project
The Knox Wastewater Treatment project has gotten yet another extension from the board of works. In September, Mayor Dennis Estok promised that there would be no more extensions, but when the board met again last month, members unanimously approved a third change order. It pushes substantial completion to this Thursday and final completion to December 11, while raising the cost by more than another $45,000.
Continue readingKnox City Police Department Seeking New Officer
The Knox City Police Department will soon be adding to its force. Police Chief Harold Smith told the board of works Wednesday that his department is currently down three officers. Mayor Dennis Estok added that officers are getting burned out and wouldn’t be able to use their vacation time, due to the shortage.
Continue readingKnox Board of Works to Consider School Corporation’s Crosswalk and Signage Plans
A couple of items related to the Knox Community School Corporation’s building project will be up for the board of works’ approval this morning. Board members will consider plans for a Culver Road crosswalk and signage for the middle school.
Continue readingFuture Still Uncertain for Remaining Portion of 8 South Main Street in Knox
A portion of 8 South Main Street in Downtown Knox has been demolished, but the future of the rest of the building remains up in the air. “The building’s not done. It’s in bad shape,” Mayor Dennis Estok recently told the city council. “But the demoed part of it is out of there, the rot and all that, so at least the other two buildings are safe now. They don’t have to worry about it or anything.”
Continue readingOwner of 204 West Bender, 6 North Pearl Faces Additional Penalties
The owner of a pair of Knox properties now faces additional penalties, after city officials say she failed to complete repairs by this month’s deadline.
Continue readingKnox Board of Works Approves Another Extension for Wastewater Plant Project
Completion of the Knox Wastewater Treatment Plant project has been delayed yet again. The board of works Wednesday reluctantly agreed to extend substantial completion to the week of October 12 and final completion to November 12.
Continue readingKnox Board of Works to Consider Additional Penalties on 6 North Pearl Street
The Knox Board of Works will consider additional penalties against the owner of 6 North Pearl Street today. The board had called for the home’s demolition back in 2016 but later agreed to give the owner a chance to fix the issues. Board members will also get updates on 253 East Washington Street, 8 South Main Street, and 204 West Bender Street.
Continue readingKnox Board of Works Assesses Penalty due to Lack of Repairs at 401 E. Lake Street
The owners of 401 East Lake Street in Knox could have to pay a $2,500 penalty, after city officials say they failed to make necessary repairs for the past year. Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost told the board of works last month that he issued an order to repair the home last September, after getting numerous complaints about birds flying in and out through holes in the walls. Specifically, the owners were asked to finish the exterior siding, roof, and roof framing.
Continue readingWork Progressing at Knox Wastewater Treatment Plant
Work is picking up at the Knox Wastewater Treatment Plant. That’s according to Engineer Steve Henschen with Jones Petrie Rafinski. He told the board of works last week that the building shell is up, and the building is almost completely enclosed. Henschen added that work inside the building was proceeding at a “rapid pace.”
Continue readingKnox Preparing to Take Possession of 8 S. Main Street
The City of Knox is moving closer to revitalizing a dilapidated downtown building. The city has been trying to take possession of 8 South Main Street, after a portion of the roof collapsed and the owner failed to pay most of the fine.
Continue readingKnox Board of Works to Hold Hearing on 401 E. Lake Street Today
The Knox Board of Works will get updates on a number of properties this morning. A public hearing is scheduled for 401 East Lake Street, while city officials are set to give updates on 253 East Washington, 8 South Main, and 204 West Bender.
Continue readingKnox Board of Works Satisfied with Repairs at 1 & 3 N. Main St.
The Knox Board of Works has agreed to withdraw its court case against the owner of 1 & 3 North Main Street. After years of calling for repairs, Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost recently told board members that he finally believes the work is substantially complete.
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