Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met November 14.

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

The monthly meeting of the Paxton City Council was held on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Mayor Ingold called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

Roll call showed the following aldermen in attendance: Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. Alderman Wilson was absent. Also in attendance were: Mayor Ingold, Attorney Marc Miller, Treasurer/Comptroller Burgess, Tammy Jensen, Public Works Director LeClair, EMA Director Ed Hanson, Acting Chief of Police Cornett, Attorney Carl Tenney, Junior Alderman Adam McMullin, and members of the audience and press.

Mayor Ingold led everyone in saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Minutes

Mayor Ingold asked if there were any changes, corrections or additions that needed made to the minutes from the October Council meeting. Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve the minutes of the October Council meeting. Aldermen Pacey seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried on a voice vote.

List of Claims

Alderman Wiley made a motion to approve the lists of claims. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report and Investment Register

The reports had been emailed to all Aldermen. Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report and Investment Register. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

Finance/Budget

There were no committee meetings.

The tax levy will be emailed once it is finalized.

The Library maintenance tax resolution is one that must be done every year. Alderman Wylie made a motion to APPROVE RESOLUTION 17-39 A RESOLUTION RE LIBRARY MAINTENANCE TAX. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Wyle made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 17-40 AN ORDINANCE ABATING LEVY FOR GENERAL OBLIGATION WATERWORKS AND SEWERAGE REFUNDING BONDS (ALTERNATE REVENUE SOURCE), SERIES 2011. Alderman Steiger seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

Comptroller/Treasurer Burgess spoke about the Min Max agreement with IMLRMA. They supply all of our liability insurance. If the policy is paid this month the City will save an extra 1%. The premium cost per year is $106,307. If the City chooses the MIN/MAX options and pays it immediately, the amount due is $94,023.08. If the City makes two installments payments and does not choose the MIN/MAX option, the City will owe an additional $12,283.92. This would be the second year the City has used this Min Max agreement. The maximum amount the City would pay, would be $128,411, and this is only if claims go over this amount. The City saves approximately $12,283.92 by choosing this option.

Alderman Wylie made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 17-41 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF THE IMLRMA MINIMUM/MAXIMUM CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

Public Works

There were no committee meetings.

Justin Goss was in attendance at tonight’s meeting to speak to the Council about gaining a commercial access entrance from Route 45 to 615 N. Railroad. He needs the City’s permission for the accessway. It would be 24’ wide and have special specifications required by the state. The City will not be paying anything for this accessway.

Alderman Steiger made a motion to APPROVE RESOLUTION 14-42 A RESOLUTION ALLOWING A COMMERCIAL ACCESS ENTRANCE FROM ROUTE 45 TO 615 N RAILROAD, PAXTON, IL. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

The request for change in plans for MFT was discussed. Greg Cook submitted the paperwork. Everything looks good.

Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve the change in plans for MFT. Alderman Wylie seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

The final pay for Iroquois Paving was discussed. The final amount is 138,674.75 and everything is in order.

Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve payment to Iroquois Paving in the amount of $138.674.75. Alderman Wylie seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

The Municipal Maintenance Statement is something the City must do every year. IDOT approved the amount of MFT funds and the City is paying the rest out of general funds.

Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve the Municipal Maintenance Statement. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

Public Works Director LeClair spoke to the Council regarding the permit for the DNRs discharges for the sewer plant. Mike Streff also spoke about the wastewater treatment plant and the permit associated with it. This year, there were some minor changes in the limits, along with additional reporting requirements. The City has a CMOM, construction maintenance and operational management, plan. As part of this plan this year, an asset management plan must also be in place. This lists what assets the City has and how critical are those assets. This plan has to be in place within 12 months of the permit being issued. It will eventually cost the City money to put the data together.

Phosphorus monitoring was initially put on the permit, and there is typically a limit placed on the amount of phosphorus allowed. This was a typo, and the phosphorus monitoring was taken off, which is good news for the City.

Public Works Director LeClair let the Council know that the grinder pumps will likely be delivered in January. Most everything else that the loan was taken out for is done. Public Works Director LeClair is replacing three new valves on College St. They are about $5,000 a piece. There are not many valves in that area.

Alderman Evans asked about the issue of trucks going down Main Street. Unfortunately, their GPS systems take them that way and there’s not much that can be done.

Trees are being cut, off and on with the rain. Public Works Director LeClair is working on ordering and planting more trees. The street sweeper is out picking up leaves also.

Public Safety

There were no committee meetings.

The ordinance for reducing the speed limit around city parks, including parks in the Park District and around the schools, was discussed. This would lower the speed limit to 20 MPH in any area around the city parks, not including Route 9 and Highway 45 since those are controlled by the State.

Alderman Steiger made a MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 17-43 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF PAXTON TO LOWER SPEED LIMITS AROUND CITY PARKS. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

The request to prohibiting parking at four parking spaces in the 200 block of N. Taft street, on the west side, between State and Holmes Streets, directly across from the loading dock of Paxton Packing as determined by the Chief of Police, to allow for truck access to the businesses on Taft street as discussed. This will allow for easier loading and unloading.

Alderman Steiger made a motion to prohibiting parking at four parking spaces on 200 N. Taft street, on the west side, between State and Holmes Streets, directly across from the loading dock of Paxton Packing as determined by the Chief of Police. Alderman Glad seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

After discussions with Captain Cornett regarding the storage fee, most of the time this fee isn’t collected as the vehicle is not picked up due to excess fees. People have 30 days to pick up their vehicles, and this storage fee could cost an additional $600 to the person. Elimination of the storage fee could result in people picking up more cars and more fees paid to the City, instead of only receiving $125 from turning the cars over to Bill Smith Auto.

Alderman Steiger made a MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 17-44 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE XIII OF THE CODE OF PAXTON. Alderman Wylie seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Steiger praised the Paxon Police Department and the work they are doing.

Acting Chief Cornett met with someone from the training board. The city is up to date and the officers are close to being completely up to date on training.

The Ford County State’s Attorney provided $500 to the Paxton Police Department to buy items and equipment to support drug arrests.

PBL Superintendent Cliff McClure asked the Paxton and Gibson Police Departments to bring their canine units to search the schools and cars. This led to one arrest for cannabis, alcohol, and fireworks in a car.Two arrests were made in conjunction with the 4th of July fireworks theft. The City recovered the $11,300, which was paid for firework not received.

Acting Chief Cornett spent $70 on candy for Halloween and made 325 bags that were given out with candy and goodies at the Paxton Park District Halloween Parade.

The State’s Attorney would like to have the Paxton Police Department to have body cameras. These require special computers that back up data. This is something that the City should think about down the road.

Acting Chief Cornett let the Council know that they could use another officer on duty. There is overtime that is being generated because of this personnel shortage. The officers are also getting into single coverage instances because of this.

EMA Director Ed Hanson spoke that they are still getting things ready for EMA. They are working on making contacts and attending meetings.

City Property

There were no committee meetings.

The approval of a contract for the sale of Paxton Municipal Airport will be discussed in Executive Session.

Tobacco-Free Outdoor Recreational Areas ordinance bans smoking, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco within 15’ of public improvements and public parks.

Alderman Evans made a MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 17-45 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 91 OF THE CODE OF PAXTON AS IT RELATES TO TOBACCO AND E-CIGARETTE USE IN CITY PARKS. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, and Wylie. Nays – Flesner and Steiger. Five ayes, two nays, motion carried.

Alderman Steiger asked Mike Streff where the City is with the landfill closure. Mike’s in discussions with the EPA on this. The EPA is asking for another well to provide four consecutive quarters of groundwater monitoring for heavy metals. Alderman Steiger asked if it would be helpful to have our EPA lawyer look at this now. City Attorney Miller thinks it would be helpful. It would take her approximately 5 – 10 hours, at $325 per hour, to look this over.

License, Permit, Zoning & Insurance

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Mayor Ingold sent out an email regarding a new liquor license class to pour and have video gaming. The City receives 5% of gaming, approximately $800 - $900 per month. Grant Jones was here with Midwest Electronics was in attendance tonight, and was the one speaking with the Mayor about this. There was no support from the Council to add any new class C licenses.

Community

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Economic Development

There were no committee meetings.

TIF Attorney Dan Schuering spoke regarding the ordinance for redevelopment agreement for façade renovation at 119 S. Market St., for Mom and Pop’s Kettle Korn Stop, owned by Alan and Marcia Meyer. This is a complete design from start to finish. Total project is $82,500, including property acquisition. The TIF will reimburse them $23,000. They are working with a local bank to complete this project. This should prove to be a model for other downtown businesses. Mr. Meyer spoke to the Council about his business. They ship, have corporate accounts, do weddings, and along with the other businesses downtown, they feel there is a positive vibe for the downtown area. Mr. Meyer showed drawings for their proposed façade concept that falls in line with the downtown StreetScape plan. They are looking at replacing the windows of the building. They want to do the windows, storefront, and awning at the start of the year. Mr. Meyer spoke about wanting to really continue the good vibes and positive feelings that are growing about Paxton. TIF Attorney let the Council know that the ordinance should be amended to delete paragraph 3.J on page six.

Alderman Wylie made a MOTION TO APPROVE THE AMENDED ORDINANCE 17-46 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF PAXTON AND ALAN MEYER AND MARCIA MEYER DOING BUSINESS AS MOM AND POP’S KETTLE KORN STOP. Alderman Steiger seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee,  Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

TIF Attorney Schuering is working with Shields Auto Mart on reimbursement for their properties. This will be on the agenda for December. $630,000 of improvements have been made to the building. The value of the property went up by 30%. This illustrates that there’s a problem with our assessments. The value of the property is now up to $230,000. The Mayor and TIF Attorney Schuering are trying to work with the County Board Assessor to try to address this.

The NexStep building owners have made $700,000 in improvements to that building. This should increase the building’s value by $200,000. It is important to the people that we sign agreements with, that the City is able to get assessments that will provide for appropriate reimbursements thru the TIF district.

The approval of expenses for the Cobblestone Hotel will be on the agenda for next month.

The owners and occupants of the Paxton Packing building, located at 145 W State St., have been talking with Farnsworth about renovating the outside of their building in conjunction with the StreetScape design.

There was discussion with TIF Attorney Schuering regarding assessments. Approved costs and requests for reassessment are being added to new TIF agreements.

Long Term Planning

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Other

The Tree Lighting ceremony is on 24th of November, and the Christmas Parade is on November 25th.

At 8:50 p.m. Alderman Steiger made a motion to enter into Executive Session for the limited purposes of discussing the employment, compensation, and performance of one or more city employees, to discuss litigation previously determined to be imminent, and to discuss the sale of City real estate. Alderman Wylie seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

Executive Session ended at 9:35 p.m. Regular Council meeting resumed at 9:35 p.m.

At 9:35 p.m. Alderman Steiger made a motion to adjourn tonight’s regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council. Alderman Satterlee seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried on a voice vote.

http://www.cityofpaxton.com/docs/minutes/11-14-17%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf