Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met January 9.

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

The monthly meeting of the Paxton City Council was held on Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 7:00

p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Mayor Ingold called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

Roll call showed the following aldermen in attendance: Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee,

Steiger, and Wilson. Alderman Wylie was absent. Also in attendance were: Mayor Ingold, TIF

Attorney Dan Schuering, Treasurer/Comptroller Julie Burgess, Tammy Jensen, Public Works

Director Mark LeClair, EMA Director Ed Hanson, Acting Chief of Police Coy Cornett, Ford

County State’s Attorney Andrew Killian, Ford County Sheriff Mark Doran, 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 December Council meeting. Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve the

minutes of the December Council meeting. Aldermen Pacey seconded the motion. All ayes,

motion carried on a voice vote.

List of Claims

Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve the lists of claims, except for the Eastern Illini

Electric Co-Op bill. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans,

Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wilson. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Steiger 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,

and Steiger. Alderman Wilson abstained. Six ayes, one abstain, 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 Pacey seconded the motion. All ayes -

motion carried on a voice vote.

Mayor Ingold made a statement regarding the appointment of Coy Cornett to Chief of Police for

the City of Paxton.

Mayor Ingold spoke of the events of December 19, where a man had a car accident in town,

committed 11 felonies within the city limits of Paxton, and attempted to hijack two vehicles. A

local man, acting selflessly, came to the aid of a senior citizen and subdued the suspect until

Paxton Police could arrive on the scene. It is the hope of the City of Paxton that this kind of

public recognition will inspire others to do the right thing when the time comes. A Courageous

Citizen award was presented to Brad Eichelberger.

The city has been extremely fortunate to have Julie Burgess as the City Comptroller/Treasurer

for 25 plus years. With her leadership, the general fund has grown from $81,000 to over $1.7

million. Julie has worn many hats over the years, and worn them well. The City appreciates

Julie’s hard work and wishes her well in her retirement.

The City Council meeting went into a recess at 7:11 p.m. for a celebration for the honorees.

The City Council meeting resumed at 7:27 p.m.

Finance/Budget

There were no committee meetings.

Alderman Steiger made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 18-01 A RESOLUTION

APPOINTING FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OFFICER. Alderman Evans

seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee,

Steiger, and Wilson. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Wilson made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 18-02 A RESOLUTION

APPOINTING AUTHORIZED AGENT TO THE ILLINOIS MUNICIPAL

RETIREMENT FUND. Alderman Steiger seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen

Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wilson. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Steiger made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 18-03 A RESOLUTION

APPOINTING OPEN MEETINGS ACT OFFICER. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.

Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wilson. All

ayes, motion carried.

Public Works

There were no committee meetings.

MFT Compliance Review #72 was presented by Julie. IDOT has reviewed the books and

records for spending for MFT for the calendar year 2016.

Alderman Steiger would like to hold a committee meeting on January 23, at 7 p.m., to discuss

road work, current road projects, future road project, water, waste water, and storm water

projects going forward.

Public Safety

There were no committee meetings.

Alderman Wilson attended the EMA meeting this month, and that went well.

Alderman Wilson tabled the item relating to the EMA’s participation in the Illinois Public Works

Mutual Aid Network until February. This should be the City’s participation, not just EMA.

Alderman Wilson made a motion to AFFIRM THE MAYOR’S APPOINTMENT OF COY

CORNETT TO THE POSITION OF CHIEF OF POLICE. Alderman Evans seconded the

motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wilson.

All ayes, motion carried.

EMA Director Hanson spoke to the Council regarding the emergency siren on North Union St.

Director Hanson was informed of some damage to this siren. The shroud was rusted through and

was taken down. There are two options to correct this issue. The siren is not made any longer.

The shroud can be rebuilt, but it is costly - $4,500. A refurbished siren can be installed. The

refurbished siren is more decibels, which is an improvement. It could be installed for $8,950, not

including obtaining power to the siren. Director Hanson recommends purchasing the refurbished

option as it will likely be of more use to the City for a longer time. A new siren could cost

between $15,000 – 20,000. This item was tabled until February as the Council requested

additional information from Director Hanson.

Chief Cornett spoke to the Council regarding the purchase of body cameras. Three cameras were

purchased, and one camera is currently in use. There are enough cameras for everyone on duty

to have one. Chief Cornett has put a policy in place regarding the body cameras, and the officers

have signed off on it. There is also a new sexual harassment policy in place.

City Property

There were no committee meetings.

Teri Hedrick was in attendance to speak regarding her request to annex the property at 1145

Eastview into the City. Public Works Director Mark LeClair let Ms. Hedrick know that she

should have a pump in the house. That area is lower and does have some issues.

Alderman Evans made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 18-04 AN ORDINANCE

ANNEXING TERRITORY TO THE CITY OF PAXTON, COUNTY OF FORD, AND

STATE OF ILLINOIS AND ZONING LAND NEWLY ANNEXED. Alderman Pacey

seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee,

Steiger, and Wilson. All ayes, motion carried.

There was discussion regarding the contract for the sale of the Paxton Municipal Airport. TIF

Dan Schuering is still working on in. This item was tabled to February.

License, Permit, Zoning & Insurance

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Alderman Evans asked if there was a limit to how many gambling places can be in town. The

Mayor let the Council know that the premises must have a Class C Liquor license to be able to

have the machines. The City currently has no additional Class C Liquor licenses available.

Alderman Steiger spoke to the Council regarding an aerial survey and how many buildings have

been put up, potentially without permits.

Community

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Alderman Pacey spoke about the three properties pending demolition. He would like to see a

potential incentive to build or develop something on those lots. There was discussion on this

topic.

Economic Development

There was a committee meeting to discuss the TIF agreements and general TIF updates.

Alderman Satterlee made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 18-05 AN ORDINANCE

APPROVING A REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY

OF PAXTON AND SHIELDS AUTOMART OF PAXTON, INC. Alderman Evans seconded

the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and

Wilson. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Satterlee made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 18-06 AN ORDINANCE

APPROVING A REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY

OF PAXTON AND PAXTON PACKING, LLC. Alderman Steiger seconded the motion.

Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wilson. All

ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Satterlee made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 18-07 AN ORDINANCE

APPROVING A REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY

OF PAXTON AND DUANE SHEILDS FOR NEXSTEP COMMERCIAL. Alderman Evans

seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee,

Steiger, and Wilson. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Steiger and Mayor Ingold will be attending a meeting regarding the Revolving Loan

Program. They will also be attending another meeting regarding other city topics.

Long Term Planning

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Other

The Mayor gave a thank you to Tammy Jensen, Heather Haile, and Lynn Ingold for arranging

the refreshments for tonight’s meeting.

At 8:05 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/1-9-18%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf