Knox City Council Members Start Process to Revamp Side Walk Obstruction Ordinance

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Knox City Council members reviewed changes to the city’s sidewalk obstruction ordinance when they met Tuesday night.

Mayor Dennis Estok stated that no official action would be taken on the ordinance last night, but he wanted to submit it to council members prior to first reading incase they had any suggestions.

Issues with vehicles parking on sidewalks and large vehicles blocking the roadways have been brought up as council items during various meetings over the past few months. Councilman Jeff Berg recently showed fellow members that a sidewalk obstruction ordinance is on the books for the City of Knox.

However, the ordinance only covered structures and didn’t directly address vehicles. Council members agreed to amend the existing ordinance to cover the topics that have been discussed. Continue reading →

Humane Society Agreement & Side Walk Obstruction Ordinance on the Agenda for Tonight’s Knox City Council Meeting

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Knox City Council members are anticipated to act on the agreement between the Starke County Humane Society and the City of Knox when they meet in City Hall at 7 p.m. tonight.

The agreement states that the Starke County Humane Society is the official housing center for the city’s stray animals. Mayor Dennis Estok explained that there has been a verbal understanding between the city and the Humane Society for quite some time, but this agreement puts all expectations and responsibilities into writing.

Council members will also discuss amendments to the city’s existing sidewalk obstruction ordinance. The ordinance will be amended to address vehicles more specifically. Continue reading →

First Public Hearings Held over Knox Parks 5-Year Master Plan

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Despite a fairly small turn out, last night’s public hearing resulted in several notable suggestions for the Knox Parks 5-Year Master Plan. Knox currently has three parks, Wythogan Park, Sandy Acres and Heritage Park and last night it was revealed that a fourth park is being proposed across from Wythogan on U.S. 35.

The public hearing was led by Landscape Architect Mike Reese from the Troyer Group. He explained that the Troyer Group is the firm facilitating the planning process. He said they also helped install the performance stage in Wythogan Park and assisted Starke County with their 5-year master plan. Continue reading →

Knox Officials in the Process of Finalizing Humane Society Agreement

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The agreement between the Humane Society and the City of Knox is nearly complete, according to Mayor Dennis Estok.

In an October meeting, Mayor Estok informed members that steps were being taken to deal with the stray animal population within the city. This agreement designates the humane society as the place to house the those animals.

During last week’s Knox City Council meeting, Mayor Estok told members that a few additions need to be made to the contract before it is finalized. He added that he will bring the agreement before the council at their next meeting since there is currently no line item for this purpose. Continue reading →

City of Knox Park Survey Opens Today, Public Hearing Scheduled for Next Week

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Knox officials are working to update and renew the city’s 5-year Park Master Plan.

At Tuesday night’s city council meeting, Mayor Dennis Estok announced that a public hearing is scheduled for Thursday, December 7 at 6 p.m. in Knox City Hall. Community members will have a chance to provide their input about what they’d like to see implemented at the parks over the next few years. Continue reading →

Mayor of Knox Informs Council Members of Delay with Main Street Light Replacement

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

Yesterday evening, Mayor Dennis Estok informed Knox City Council members that the installation of the new light bulbs on Main Street has been delayed due to a delivery issue.

Mayor Estok explained that the bulb that was initially installed as an example came without any ballast. Since the existing light fixtures contain their own ballasts there were no issues with that installation. However, the nine additional bulbs that were purchased came with ballasts inside the bulbs.

The mayor said that in order to install those bulbs, the existing ballasts would need to be bypassed during installation which would cost some additional money for labor. If they want to send these bulbs back and get the same ones as the example, they will be charged a restocking fee. Continue reading →

Knox Downtown Business Owner to Make Repairs to Building

Posted on Author Anita Goodan

The owner of two storefronts in downtown Knox will be making repairs to the building, as ordered by the members of the Knox Board of Public Works.

A public hearing on the matter was held on Wednesday morning as the owner, Pete Milev, has failed to repair any of the issues cited by Knox Planning Administrator and Director of Building and Code Compliance Kenny Pfost. Pfost said the buildings at 1 and 3 N. Main Street have several major issues including brick falling out of the exterior walls, missing mortar in other exterior bricks, an unsafe door leading to the basement of the building in the sidewalk, boarded up windows, an old sign that needs removed, drywall that is replacing two windows above the front door, and many interior code violations. Continue reading →

Knox Peppermint Parade, Tree Lighting Next Week

Posted on Author Anita Goodan
 

The City of Knox is hosting the holiday peppermint parade on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m. CT.

Knox Mayor Dennis Estok invites all businesses, churches and organizations to be part of the revived holiday tradition down Main Street. A parade application is available here on our website.

After the parade is concluded, everyone is welcome to Santa’s House in Wythogan Park for free hot apple cider, coffee, hot cocoa, and s’mores and a visit with Santa! At 5 p.m., the tree lighting ceremony will officially usher in the Christmas season in the City of Knox.

Continue reading →

Knox City Council Receives Estimate for Community Center Flooring Renovations

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Knox City Council members received a few updates about the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center renovation project when they met last week.

Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston informed council members that work on the roof is complete and the satellite was reinstalled. Mayor Dennis Estok went onto say they received the estimate for the flooring work that will be tackled in the near future. 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 →

Knox Peppermint Parade Application Deadline Extended

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The Knox Peppermint Parade is right around the corner and residents wanting to be a part of it have received a bit more time to sign up.

Originally, the deadline to register was set for Wednesday, November 22nd. However, in a Knox City Council meeting, Mayor Dennis Estok said so far they’ve only received a little over ten entries. He said he wants to provide some additional time for individuals who may be waiting to sign up until they know what the weather will be like the day of the parade. Continue reading →

City of Knox Blight Elimination Program Resumed

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan
420 Maple Street

When the Knox City Council met earlier this week, Mayor Dennis Estok alerted members that the blight elimination program is back on track.

He said he recently completed the appropriate paperwork to resume the program. Two houses were included in the approved structures in the last grant that was received by the city.

Mayor Estok said contractors first started working on an eyesore at 420 Maple Street. According to the mayor, the structure previously had a fire and had been up for about a year and half. 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 Votes to Shed Some Light on Reported Darkness Downtown

Posted on Author Jacque Ryan

The downtown area in Knox will be getting a little bit brighter thanks to a decision made by the Knox City Council last night. The council members voted unanimously to approve Mayor Dennis Estok’s request to replace 10 bulbs in the downtown area with new LED bulbs.

Mayor Estok started looking into new lighting options after receiving continuous complaints about the darkness downtown. He has been working with a representative from Herrman and Goetz, discussing the best route to take.

Estok started by installing one bulb on Main Street to have council members weigh in with their opinions. They all agreed that there was a noticeable difference. Estok said now that they know the bulbs are brighter, he wants to test out more in order to see how multiple bulbs would illuminate the area. Continue reading →