Chambana Sun

City of Paxton Council met Dec. 11.

Here is the agenda provided by the Council:

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, Wilson, and Wylie. Also in attendance were: Mayor Ingold, Attorney Marc Miller, Treasurer/Comptroller Julie Burgess, Tammy Jensen, Public Works Director Mark LeClair, Building Administrator Matt Rock, EMA Director Ed Hanson, Acting Chief of Police Coy Cornett, Attorney Carl Tenney, 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 November Council meeting. Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve the minutes of the November Council meeting. Aldermen Wilson seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried on a voice vote.

LIST OF CLAIMS

Alderman Wylie made a motion to approve the lists of claims, except for the Eastern Illini Electric Co-Op bill. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, Wilson, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Wylie made a motion to approve the Eastern Illini Electric Co-Op bill. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wylie. Alderman Wilson abstained. Six ayes, one abstain, motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT AND INVESTMENT REGISTER

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

FINANCE/BUDGET

There were no committee meetings.

Alderman Wylie spoke to the Council regarding the tax levy that was presented for discussion and approval.

Alderman Wylie made a motion to Approve Ordinance 17-47 A Tax Levy Ordinance Of The City Of Paxton, Illinois For 2017-2018. Alderman Steiger seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, Wilson, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

PUBLIC WORKS

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Work is moving forward on the issues that were determined necessary in the summer. The Council asked that citizens please do not push leaves into the street. This clogs the drains and causes problems.

Public Works Director LeClair spoke about the Tnemec calendar with our new water tower designs in them. He had a copy of the 2018 calendar and showed it to the council. This is a competition that is not only nation-wide, but extends into Canada as well. It is a big deal to receive a full page spread on the calendar. Greg Gustafson, Public Works Director LeClair, Jeff Ingold, and Comptroller/Treasurer Burgess worked on the description that ended up in the calendar. Greg is very pleased that the city was as excited about pushing the design forward and the votes that the community put forth towards the competition. PBL Superintendent Cliff McClure was pleased with the paws on the water towers and the help in increasing school spirit.

PUBLIC SAFETY

There were no committee meetings.

The ordinance relating to the impoundment of dogs was quite old and hadn’t been updated in some time. Cats needed to be added to the ordinance. Also, spaying or neutering will happen on the 3rd time that the animal is picked up. There was some discussion on changing language in the ordinance.

After the changes, Alderman Wilson made a motion to Approve Ordinance 17-48 An Ordinance Amending Section 96.56 Of Chapter 96 Of The Code Of Paxton. Alderman Glad seconded the motion, with the changes. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Wylie. Nays – Steiger. Seven ayes, one nay, motion carried.

EMA Director Hanson briefed the council that their window emblems and decals on vehicles have been changed. Signs and Designs completed this switch.

There were 31 medical calls that happened this past month. The police are usually the first responders.

CITY PROPERTY

There were no committee meetings.

There was discussion regarding the contract for the sale of the Paxton Municipal Airport. Michael Streff spoke about the supplemental information that is being delivered to Illinois EPA. Mr. Streff has responded the EPA’s questions. The EPA has up to 90 days to respond. Senator Jason Barickman has been contact about the trouble that Paxton is having with this issue.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

COMMUNITY

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

There were no committee meetings.

The TIF agreement for Shield’s Auto Dealership will be on the agenda for January.

Glen Kirby, from Paxton Packing, was in attendance to speak to the Council. Paxton Packing has increased sales over 48%. They have 3 national contracts and are looking at growing another 50%. They want to have people who drive by know that something special is going on inside the building. They have been working on the interior of the building in order to meet SQ42 certification. This is a national food certification program. $40,000 - $50,000 was invested in the interior in order to meet these specifications. With the inside now ready, they want to do a historic renovation to the exterior of the building to bring it back to what it looked like in the 1900’s. They are working on retuck-pointing, removing old paint, replacing windows, and addressing the State Street side to clean up the entranceway. Paxton Packing currently employs 9 people, and they are working up to 25. There is the possibility of working with the revolving loan fund to make more good things happen at the building.

The TIF agreement with Paxton Packing will be on the agenda for January.

The TIF agreement with Duane Shield’s for NexStep Commercial will be on the agenda for January.

On January 9th, the Economic Development Committee meeting will be held at 6 p.m. to discuss these items.

There was a brief discussion of Revolving Loan Funds.

LONG TERM PLANNING

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

OTHER

A Sexual Harassment Ordinance needs to be in our official records per the State Legislature before January 15, 2018.

Alderman Steiger made a motion to Approve Ordinance 17-49 An Ordinance Amending The Revised Code Of Ordinances To Prohibit Sexual Harassment. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, Wilson, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

The Council asked why the Building Permit log had 4 entries, but only 3 had paid. Building Administrator Rock will have to check and see if the 4th permit was picked up and paid for.

At 7:40 p.m., Alderman Evans made a motion to enter into Executive Session for the limited purposes of discussing the employment and compensation of one or more city employees and pending litigation. Alderman Steiger seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, Wilson, and Wylie. All ayes, motion carried.

Executive Session ended at 8:43 p.m. Regular Council meeting resumed at 8:44 p.m.

At 8:44 p.m. Alderman Steiger made a motion to adjourn tonight’s regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried on a voice vote.

http://www.cityofpaxton.com/docs/minutes/12-12-17%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf