Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met February 13.

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

The monthly meeting of the Paxton City Council was held on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at 7:00 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 Wilson. Alderman Wylie was absent. Also, in attendance were: Mayor Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Public Works Director Mark LeClair, EMA Director Ed Hanson, Building Administrator Matt Rock, Chief of Police Coy Cornett, 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 January Council meeting. Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve the minutes of the January Council meeting. Aldermen Wilson 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 Pacey 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 Evans 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 Wilson seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

K9 Officer Max had to be put down yesterday. He retired in 2014 due to health reasons. His contributions to the City were greatly appreciated.

Finance/Budget

There were no committee meetings.

Mike Frichtl was here, from Pheasants Forever, to speak to the council about the annual donation. Pheasants Forever appreciates the donation.

Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve a $250 donation to Pheasants Forever. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wilson. All ayes, motion carried.

Mayor Ingold spoke to the Council about an economic meeting that he and Alderman Steiger attended in January. Mayor Ingold will be meeting with the Council to discuss more regarding the Revolving Loan Fund, which is ending soon.

Public Works

There was a committee meeting.

Alderman Steiger updated the Council on the committee meeting where long-term projects were discussed. No recommendations were made for the Council to act on. Another meeting will be scheduled.

The Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network provides help from other communities if our resources are being utilized for emergency situations.

Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve participation in the Illinois Public Works Mutual Aid Network. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Discussion followed. Alderman Steiger withdrew the motion. This item will be tabled to March.

Greg Gustafson, from Berns, Clancy and Associates, introduced Erik Otten, from TNEMEC, to make a presentation regarding the water tower. TNEMEC is involved in the Tank of the Year contest. Paxton was in the final 12 and made the calendar. Mr. Otten presented an award to Mayor Ingold for the City of Paxton and to Greg Gustafson as a representative from the engineering design firm.

Public Safety

There were no committee meetings.

EMA Director Ed Hanson spoke to the committee regarding the replacement siren for North Union St. A new siren would cost $19,000. A refurbished replacement would cost $8,950. There is currently no siren at this location. EMA Director Ed Hanson feels that the refurbished siren will be good for another 15-20 years.

Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve spending no more than $9,000 to purchase and install the replacement siren. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. There was discussion on whether this would be enough funds. Alderman Wilson withdrew the motion. Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve spending no more than $9,500 to purchase and install the replacement siren. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wilson. All ayes, motion carried.

EMA Director Ed Hanson will try to get that siren installed ASAP.

City Property

There were no committee meetings.

There was discussion regarding the contract for the sale of the Paxton Municipal Airport. Michael Streff is still working with the EPA to get them all the documents needed. They have 90 days to review, and it was sent in December. Mike anticipates that the EPA will request an extension. The Mayor spoke to David Hrupsa and TIF Attorney Dan Schuering to update them.

The question was asked if the airport could be sold independently of the landfill area. City Attorney Miller will look into this. This item was tabled to March.

Regarding the easement to Ameren for City Property, some concerns were raised by the Council regarding the amount of money paid for the easement and making sure that the correct procedures were being followed to grant this easement. The City is not conveying property in this instance. There was discussion. This item was tabled until March.

License, Permit, Zoning & Insurance

There were no committee meetings.

Mr. Hohulin and Mr. Eichelberger, with the Upper Room Bible Church, spoke to the Council regarding their variance requests. They are wanting to build a new sanctuary and need a height variance, coverage variance, and a sign variance. Current R1 zoning is 35% coverage. They are currently over that and are requesting 50.29% coverage. They are requesting a height variance for 27’ and a sign variance to keep their current sign which is 8’4” x 50”. The Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved these requests. The church is currently at 150 seats, max, with 130 – 140 people attending. The new sanctuary would seat 290 – 300 people. The church has gone around twice, and they have sent letters out to neighbors regarding the proposed addition. They have had no negative responses. There was discussion about zoning and parking.

Alderman Evans made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 18-05 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING VARIANCE FOR 455 WEST ORLEANS STREET. Alderman Flesner seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Evans, Flesner, Glad, Steiger. Abstain – Pacey, Satterlee, and Wilson. Four ayes, three abstentions, motion carried.

In the future, the Council would like to have relevant information prior to the night of the meeting so that they can review the information.

Community

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Alderman Pacey will like to meet with the Community Committee at 6 p.m. on March 13th for a study session on potential online enhancements.

Economic Development

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

A USDA representative will be here on February 23rd to talk about various funding and grant opportunities.

Long Term Planning

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Other

At 8:05 pm., Alderman Steiger made a motion to go into Executive Session for the limited purposes of discussing the employment, performance, and compensation of one or more City employees and to discuss the possible sale of City property. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Evans, Flesner, Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Wilson. All ayes, motion carried.

Executive Session ended at 9:06 p.m. Regular Council meeting resumed at 9:07 p.m.

At 9:08 p.m. Alderman Wilson made a motion to adjourn tonight’s regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council. Alderman Steiger seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried on a voice vote.

http://www.cityofpaxton.com/docs/minutes/2-13-18%20Council%20Meeting%20Minutes.pdf