The Knox City Council recently discussed the two mile jurisdiction for zoning purposes. The city has the right to go outside the borders two miles into unincorporated areas.
City Attorney, David Matsey, addressed a conflict in the ordinance as it is written. The ordinance and maps have to be brought into compliance by using digital mapping software, giving the city’s Building Inspector the authority to issue permits in the two mile jurisdiction.
Mayor Rick Chambers asked the Knox City Council members this week for permission to apply for a housing grant.
“I’ve been in contact with K-IRPC to seek a housing grant. We had one three years ago and we ended up getting about $65,000. The Council matched that with 10%. We applied originally for $150,000 and it was cut several times. So, I’m again seeking a housing grant and I’m asking for a 10% match up to $150,000. K-IRPC needs to know that we are willing to do a 10% match before they can go any farther with this grant process.”
Gene Blastic, a Board member on the Starke County Economic Development Foundation, came before the Knox City Council this week to discuss options concerning the old Everett’s Drug Store. The building, at the corner of Lake and Main Street, was for a short time a movie theater, and is owned by the Economic Development Foundation.
The Knox City Council members, on the recommendation of Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston, passed the budget during their meeting this week. The budget is for $3.1 million and includes a 2% across-the-board raise for employees and officials.
Houston gave the Council some advice before the vote.
“At this point, once it’s been advertised, you guys can vote. Either accept it the way it is or you can cut, but you can not add anything to the budget at this point. You can’t go above what’s been advertised,” said Houston.
Center Township Trustee Julie Manns came before the Knox City Council recently to discuss the Humphreys Cemetery. Humphreys’ family members, including local resident Marilyn Folkers, are wanting to put a fence around the small cemetery, but to this point nobody knows the exact boundary lines.
The Knox City Council is considering doing away with the Knox City Court. Following his annual report to the Council this week, Judge Charles Hasnerl ran into a barrage of questions by the Council and Mayor Rick Chambers when it was revealed that the court had run into the red.
Judge Hasnerl attempted to answer the Council member’s questions.
“The biggest problem is a shortfall,” said Judge Hasnerl. “We don’t have exact figures but if you just look at it in hard numbers, we’re looking at approximately a $40,000 difference between what the City Court budget is and what is actually going into the City’s General Fund.”
There is more good news on the economic front today. We recently reported on the proposed $1 million dollar expansion at Reagent Chemical and Research Inc. and now, Sabre Manufacturing is planning an expansion.
In a special session with Knox City Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston on Tuesday evening, the Council walked through the completed budget that will soon be submitted to the Department of Local Government Finance. Presented was a budget that totals $3,112,071.
“At our next meeting, on the 23rd of August, we’re going to have our Public Hearing at 7:00 when we have our Council meeting,” said Houston when explaining the next step in the budget process. “The budget is also advertised and we’ll have our third reading of the salary ordinance.”
Starke County Surveyor, Dennis Estok, appeared before the Knox City Council last week to ask for permission to burn off brush collected from the John Street storm system maintenance project. The County has jurisdiction over about 1,000 feet that drains into the Cavanaugh ditch. Excavating crews are coming in soon to channel that portion to give it a uniform slope to the outlet into the ditch.
Estok said there is brush and debris in the system as well as sediment.
The Council gave its permission to burn the brush. Estok estimated it would be only two small piles.
“Even though money is tight, I still think we can grant a 2% salary increase.”
That was told to the Knox City Council this week by Knox City Clerk-Treasurer, Jeff Houston. The two percent increase recommended for all employees and officials was passed unanimously by the Council on the first reading of the salary ordinance.
The State Board of Accounts has completed its audit of the 2012 budget.
Thom Morin, who claims to be conducting a one man crusade to open up more areas for the handicapped in Knox, was back before the Knox City Council this week to point out the need for special restroom accommodations at Sandy Acres Park on the south edge of the city. Morin said a handicapped porta-potty would cost only a little more than installing a regular one at the park. He also would like to see a handicapped designated parking area at the same location.
WKVI News is revisiting a story we had earlier in the week about the eligibility of two Park Board members. Because we used the phrase “not qualified”, some in our audience thought we meant the two members in question were not competent to sit on the Board. That is not correct, as the members Irene Szakonyi and Kurt Snearly are eminently qualified. Park Board President, Chris Marshall, called them very valuable, and we concur.
Two members of the Knox Park Board are not eligible to serve. According to Knox City Council Attorney, David Matsey, the Ex-Officio members of the Board, Irene Szakonyi and Kurt Snearly, are not members of the Boards that named them to the Park Board.
By definition, an Ex-Officio member of a board is there by virtue of holding another office. The Ex-Officio members of the Park Board were named by the Starke County Library Board and the Knox Community School Board. Since neither are part of those Boards, they are not eligible to serve.
Thom Morin, who has been before the Knox City Council before to request more handicapped parking spaces, was before them again last week.
Since Mr. Morin has presented a proposed document spelling out ADA rules, the City has added a space on Main Street by the tracks, another on the north end of Main Street near Lake, one in the alley by the Community Center, and two on the east side of the Community Center. The Mayor announced that he is working on one handicapped parking spot by the Courthouse.
It’s budget time in the Knox City Clerk’s office. Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told the Knox City Council members last week that the annual audit is being done now, and he is working on the 2012 budget.
Houston said this seems to be a more in-depth audit as the City received over $500,000 in federal grants during the past year.
On July 6th, Houston will meet with the Department of Local Government Finance, and he thought the Council might want to consider a work session before the next Council meeting on July 12th.
John Julien of Umbaugh and Associates came before the Knox City Council this week to bring them up to speed on the savings associated with refinancing the outstanding debt on the Knox Community Building. In 1997, the bonds on the building sold at a 5.5% interest rate. Julien told the Council that they could now be sold at 2.9%.
“$23,000 isn’t going to make the City rich, but it’s $23,000 that you don’t have access to right now,” said Julien. “In the grand scheme of things, I think it’s worthwhile for the City to pursue. The savings aren’t earth shattering, but it’s hard to imagine that interest rates are going to go much lower.”
Ruth Matsey, President of the Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, and Edwin Buswell of the Kankakee Regional Planning Commission appeared before the Knox City Council Tuesday night to ask the City officials to approve sponsorship of an addition at the Phoenix House. Since 1995, the Phoenix House has served as a short-term emergency shelter for women fleeing abusive relationships.
The Knox City Council, Fireworks Committee and Knox Mayor Rick Chambers invites all to this year’s fireworks display at the Starke County Airport this Saturday, July 2nd.
The gates open at 4:00 p.m. and the gate fee is $5.00. There will be numerous food booths and various clubs selling items for fundraisers. A DJ will be playing music up until the fireworks display at dusk. A Cruise-in will be held on the runway. A BMX Bike demonstration is scheduled, along with a HAM Radio and Airplane Club demonstrations.
Although it has not become a huge problem so far, the Knox City Council members did discuss horseback riding in the city and parks at their most recent meeting.
Besides the problem of manure on the streets, there is a problem of riding in the parks. Horses can do a lot of damage if being ridden on a baseball field. In the discussion, Park Superintendent, George Byer, said there is evidence in the form of manure on the walking path, which makes it unpleasant for the walkers.
A resounding “no” was given to Knox Mayor Rick Chambers when he asked the City Council members last week if they would be interested in selling the Sandy Acres Park. Chambers said that he had been approached about selling the property. Although not announcing who had approached him, it was assumed to be a business person wanting to locate, or re-locate on Heaton Street.
It was noted that in the Five Year Park Plan that there is not have enough park space. Recently, the Park Board has spruced up Sandy Acres and it has been used more according to Park Superintendent, George Byer.
