An ordinance amendment will be going back to the drawing board as the Knox City Council members failed to pass it on final action.
Discussion concerning an amendment to ordinance #1142 regarding outdoor storage and the setback distance for displays was the issue that hung up the approval of the ordinance.
After raising the city’s workers’ compensation benefits in January, the Knox City Council held an executive session Tuesday night prior to their regularly scheduled meeting to discuss the possibility of back-pay for an injured Knox fireman who was out of work after suffering an injury while investigating a fire.
The Starke County Historical Society has hit another roadblock as they seek to relocate their museum. The Knox City Council this week refused to give the Historical Society permission to lease the city’s railroad right-of-way on U.S. 35, across from the visitor’s center, but Marvin McLaughlin with the Historical Society said this won’t necessarily stop them from establishing the new building.
With the cold temperatures this March, it doesn’t quite feel like spring. That’s especially true for five homes in Knox that still suffer from frozen pipes after the harsh winter, and one resident approached the city council this week asking for some kind of solution to her ice-clogged pipes.
The Knox City Council will meet Tuesday night with a full agenda.
Prior to the 7 p.m. regular meeting, the council members will hold an executive session to discuss the fireman’s insurance benefits.
The Knox City Council approved an ordinance revising fees for the Planning Commission this week on its second reading, leaving just one more reading to be approved for the ordinance to take effect. Mayor Rick Chambers told the city council that he recently met with Charles Weaver, executive director of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, to discuss the proposed maximum commercial permit fee of up to $7500.
The Starke County Historical Society is looking to relocate their museum to the area across from the visitor’s center in Knox on U.S. 35, but they’ll need the city’s cooperation in order to do so. Marvin McLaughlin with the Historical Society approached the city council at their meeting Tuesday night with a proposal for a new building to house the museum, but he wasn’t asking for money; rather, McLaughlin said the Historical Society would like to lease the railroad right-of-way.
The Knox City Council last night had a difficult time explaining the desired effect of an amendment to the zoning ordinance regarding outdoor displays. When the owner of Smith Farm Stores in Knox approached the council asking about a portion of the amendment that indicates outdoor displays can only display items that are “in season,” such as jack o’ lanterns in fall or Christmas items in the winter, the question of how items that are not explicitly seasonal would be classified.
The clerk-treasurer in the city of Knox has announced they will soon be going to a new billing system that uses full-size paper rather than postcards, saving roughly $540 per year because, according to Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, sending postcards is more expensive. Houston said the new bills will be sent out soon, so don’t be alarmed if your bill from the city is different!
The Knox City Council this week tentatively approved the first readings of two ordinances, but expressed their intent to revise those ordinances before passing them on their second or third readings. The council first discussed the revised fees ordinance for the Planning Commission that replaced the entirety of the fees laid out previously.
The Knox City Council this week approved the purchase of five lots in Parkview Heights, each of which was up for tax sale in the county but, because it was up for tax sale previously and did not sell, the city was able to purchase the properties for $35 each from the county. The city has acquired more than a dozen properties in the neighborhood, and Mayor Rick Chambers said the city is looking into options as far as what they can do to improve Parkview Heights and make it a safer place to live.
The Knox City Council this week approved a resolution purchasing five lots in Parkview Heights. City attorney David Matsey said the county has already approved a resolution and this resolution for the city is strongly based on the county’s version.
The properties the city will acquire in Parkview are located at 322 Spruce Street , 424 and 426 Maple Street, and a parcel on Clark Street. The Spruce Street house is actually located on two lots. The parcels will be purchased for a cost of $35 per property, and the city council has expressed interest in using those properties – and other properties in Parkview Heights that the city has acquired over the years – to benefit the city.
The council approved a motion purchasing the lots.
The Knox City Council this week approved a motion declaring the County Road 300 East reconstruction endeavor as a economic development project to allow the city to pay for an unexpected expense out of the County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Charles Weaver, executive director of the Starke County Economic Development Commission, approached the council and explained that part of the reconstruction of County Road 300 East from Culver Road to west of the city, a number of fire hydrants will have to be relocated.
The Knox City Council will meet in a regular session tomorrow at 7 p.m. in Knox City Hall to discuss a number of items, including the proposed flood plan ordinance, revision of the fees ordinance for the planning commission, and a zoning ordinance amendment, as well as discussion with Neighborhood Development Associates regarding a feasibility study for Parkview Heights.
The Knox City Council this week approved a new flood plan ordinance on its first reading as required by FEMA in order for residents to be able to acquire flood insurance. Mayor Rick Chambers explained that the city has been required to update their current plan and the state provided a sample ordinance that could be adapted to suit the city’s needs.
Knox Mayor Rick Chambers stated that the new pumps are operational but there are a few issues that are being addressed.
The Knox City Council this week approved a motion to join the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission in applying for a Brownfield grant. KIRPC requested the city join them in applying at no cost to the city, and with no effect on the city’s grant pool.
The Knox City Council this week proclaimed each Tuesday in February “New Hope for Families Days,” urging all citizens of the community to participate in all efforts to make Knox and Starke County a model of a healthy community.
