Starke Pulaski Habitat for Humanity Thanks the City of Knox

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
 

At a Knox City Council meeting last Tuesday, Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told members that Starke Pulaski Habitat for Humanity sent in a letter thanking the city for their help on the McIntire home that was recently being constructed in Knox.

“We waived the water and sewer taps and the building permits and gave them a variance on the lot size,” Houston said, “so they wanted to thank everybody and they said it was a hand-up not a hand-out.”

The City of Knox wasn’t the only one to help with the construction of the new house. A variety of volunteers from all over have given countless hours to help complete the structure. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Talks Plans to Alleviate Side Walk Obstruction Issues

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The topic of vehicles obstructing sidewalks has been discussed during council items at a few Knox City Council meetings recently.

In past meetings council members discussed the possibility of creating an ordinance to prohibit parking on sidewalks. At their meeting last Tuesday, Council Member Jeff Berg presented everyone with an existing ordinance that addresses side walk obstruction. Continue reading →

2018 Holiday and Meeting Schedules Unanimously Approved by Knox City Council

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Knox City Council members unanimously approved all proposed 2018 schedules when then met Tuesday evening.

Mayor Dennis Estok said the schedules are essentially the same except for a couple of adjustments. For instance, on the proposed holiday schedule, rather than having Christmas and the day after Christmas off, in 2018 city employees will get Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off and return to work on December 26th. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Approves New Vehicle for Building and Code Compliance Officer

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The purchase of a new vehicle for the Knox Building and Code Compliance Officer was approved at last night’s city council meeting. Compliance Officer Kenny Pfost has been utilizing his personal vehicle since the old city-issued vehicle broke down.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston mentioned that the $36,000 needed for the vehicle purchase will be split up between three separate accounts. He said that $10,000 would come out of the cumulative capital development repairs and maintenance fund, $8,600 would be from rental registration and $17,400 will be come from the edit account for the Knox Industrial Park. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Meets Tonight

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Knox City Council will discuss funding for a new building and code compliance vehicle when they meet at 7 p.m. tonight. They will also consider the 2018 Holiday Schedule as well as the City Council and Board of Works meeting schedules for next year.

The council will receive a report from Ron Gifford of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Mayor Dennis Estok and Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston will also provide reports. Continue reading →

Mayor of Knox Has Meetings Scheduled to Address Stray Animal Population

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Mayor of Knox Dennis Estok is scheduled to have a meeting with the Humane Society as well as the company Neuter Scooter, to discuss the stray animal population problem within the city.

He told Knox City Council members last week that he plans to draw up a contract with the Humane Society in order to have a place to take the animals that they receive calls about. He said there is a possibility they will need to hire an individual to fill the role of animal control since there is currently no one in that position. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Continues Conversation over Downtown Parking Problems

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A previously considered council item was visited once again at the Knox City Council meeting on Tuesday. Council member Bertha Blue asked Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston what he found regarding the city’s rules about vehicles obstructing sidewalks.

Houston said while researching, he was unable to locate a local ordinance but he did find a state statute that specifies parking is prohibited on sidewalks. He said while that would technically be enforceable, he thought the terms were not realistic for Knox.

“If you use the state statute,” Houston explained,  “you’re looking at real big fines and stuff so we probably want to write a new one for the city.” Continue reading →

Mayor Estok Starts Discussion With Knox City Council About Vehicle Replacement

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Mayor Dennis Estok informed Knox City Council members this week that he is looking into funding options to replace a vehicle for Kenny Pfost, the city’s Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance.

Pfost told the council members that he’s been utilizing his personal vehicle for about three weeks after the city issued vehicle quit running and. Mayor Estok said the vehicle was provided as a hand-me-down from the police department and has been repaired a few times in the past. The projected cost of current repairs was around $16,000. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Meets Tonight

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Knox City Council meets tonight, where members will discuss the replacement of downtown streetlights.

This topic has been talked about during meetings in the past. Mayor Dennis Estok had one experimental bulb installed and has been asking for council feedback about it over the last few months. Council members reported seeing a significant difference in brightness between the old lights and the new bulb.

The council will also hear from Ron Gifford with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation.

The council members will meet in Knox City Hall at 7 p.m. tonight.

Knox Residents in Need of Fall Lawn Care Assistance Can Call the Mayor’s Office for Help

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

As the fall season is upon us, leaves will start to scatter across yards all over town. Knox residents who are unable to tend to their lawns due to advanced age or physical disability are able to submit a request for assistance to the Mayor’s Office.

Mayor Dennis Estok announced the start of the call out for the fall leaf pick-up program at the Knox City Council meeting earlier this week. He informed council members that the Mayor’s Office works in conjunction with the SCILL Center to get the leaves raked. The program is carried out on a first come, first serve basis and they’re able to attend to up to 15 properties. Continue reading →

Knox Water Superintendent Announces Completion of Brown Circle Waterline Project

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
Knox Water Department cutting road to install new 6″ ductile iron waterline to replace the 4″ galvanized waterline

Knox Water Superintendent Todd Gardner announced a milestone in the Brown Circle Waterline Project when the Knox City Council met Tuesday evening.

Gardner told the council members that all the houses that had been hooked up to the old waterline in the area of Brown Circle, were switched over to the new waterline Tuesday, allowing the water department to switch off the outdated system. Three new fire hydrants were also installed as a part of the project. Gardner said when everything was complete, 33 homes were hooked up to the new system.

The Brown Circle Waterline Project was tackled as a preventative measure since the waterline system that was installed in the area in the 1940s was constructed of steel galvanized pipes that had a lifespan of only 40-45 years. The pipes in place were pushing more than 70 years of use and were tangled under residences and yards. Continue reading →

Update About Upgrades to Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

An update about ongoing renovations to the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center was provided by Mayor Dennis Estok during last night’s brief Knox City Council meeting.

Mayor Estok told council members that work being done to the heating and air conditioning systems is nearly complete. He said only one compressor still needs to be installed. He went on to say that roofers will be commencing their work this week, possibly as soon as today. Continue reading →

Knox City Council Meets Tonight

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

No specific action or discussion items are listed on the agenda for the Knox City Council meeting being held tonight at 7 p.m. in Knox City Hall.

The council will hear reports from Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston and Mayor Dennis Estok. There will be time allotted toward the end of the meeting for citizen’s comments and council items.

In recent meetings, council items included the potential striping of Culver Road and an ordinance pertaining to parking downtown. There is a possibility these items will be revisited tonight but they are not specifically listed on the agenda.

Knox City Council Unofficially Discusses Potential New Lighting Downtown

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Mayor Dennis Estok has been discussing the possibility of replacing the lights in the downtown area during the last few Knox City Council meetings. They have been experimenting with a new kind of bulb. When they first met in September, he suggested that the council members take a little time after the meeting was adjourned to see the change and provide their input.

At their meeting last Tuesday, Mayor Estok said the experiment bulb was moved from its initial placement due to an obstruction from a near by tree. However, even with the tree covering the original spot, many council members said they could see a definite difference in brightness. Continue reading →

Knox Mayor Announces Committee Meeting, Requests Volunteers

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

A committee meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4 at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center. During a Knox City Council meeting Tuesday evening, Mayor Dennis Estok reminded council members that the focus would be on some past and future projects.

Estok said the committee will discuss the financial results of this year’s fireworks display as well as address the upcoming Peppermint Parade. Estok said the parade applications have already been submitted for the event.  Continue reading →

Knox Police Department Taser Fundraiser Less Than $400 Away from Goal

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Knox Police Department has been seeking funds for taser replacement. At the Knox City Council meeting on Tuesday, Mayor Dennis Estok announced that the goal of $6,000 has nearly been reached.

Police Chief Harold Smith has said in the past that the tasers that are currently available to the department are more than 14 years old and in a state beyond repair. Due to budget restrictions, the Knox PD asked for community assistance to replace the tasers. They had a crowd-funding account where people could donate online and they also received check and cash donations. Continue reading →

Fire Protection Agreements Approved by Knox City Council

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The 2018 fire protection agreements between the City of Knox and Center and Jackson Townships were up for approval at the Knox City Council meeting Tuesday evening.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston stated that the proposed agreements are essentially the same as past years except they did one year rather than two year agreements this year. He said that decision was made because an election will be coming up and incoming groups can not be legally bound to an agreement. Continue reading →