Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met May 14.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The monthly meeting of the Paxton City Council was held at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Mayor Ingold called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Roll call showed the following aldermen in attendance: Evans, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. Alderman Steiger was absent. Also, in attendance were: Mayor Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Public Works Director Mark LeClair, Chief of Police Coy Cornett, City Attorney Marc Miller, and members of the audience and press.

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

The City Clerk swore in the newly elected Aldermen Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers.

The Mayor asked for the Council’s approval of his appointment of Kamalen Johnson Anderson as Alderman. Alderman Withers approved the appointment of Kamalen Johnson Anderson to Alderman. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried on a voice vote. The City Clerk swore in Alderman Johnson Anderson.

MINUTES

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

LIST OF CLAIMS

Alderman Evans made a motion to approve the lists of claims. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. Johnson Anderson abstained. Six ayes, one abstain, motion carried.

Alderman Withers made a motion to approve the EIEC bill. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Satterlee, and Withers. Alderman Johnson Anderson and Wilson abstained. Five ayes, two abstain motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT AND INVESTMENT REGISTER

The reports have been emailed to all Aldermen. Alderman Pacey 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.

FINANCE/BUDGET

There were no committee meetings.

Each year the appropriation ordinance is passed. Towards the end of year, the budget is balanced, and the ordinance must be adjusted and approved to reflect what was spent. Alderman Wilson made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 19-04, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR 2018-2019. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

The non-Union raises will be discussed in Executive Session at the end of the meeting.

Laura Dick was in attendance to speak to the Council regarding the services that Show Bus provides for Ford County. They provide transportation in the county, and that includes Head Start services. No one over 60 years of age is required to pay for services. If people under 60 have a hardship, they can get a letter and be exempt from paying for services. They currently have over 65 buses. Alderman Johnson Anderson made a motion to donate $1000 to the Show Bus. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Freddie Beth Schmutte was in attendance to talk about the StreetScape project. The StreetScape project is eligible to use the refunded money from the Revolving Funds because it is fixing a blighted area. If those funds are not under contract by December 31, 2020, they are gone. Jeff Martin and Greg Cook, from Farnsworth Group, spoke to the Council about the project. Part of their task is to figure out how the City can get the best-looking project with the funds that are available. Once the final design is ready, that is the project that will be sent out for bidding. Mr. Cook spoke about the timeline of the project. Final design would run from October 2019 – January 2020, with an estimate to start construction in the summer of 2020. There was a question regarding some of the potential issues that may arise with the old buildings in the downtown area. Input will be sought out on potential issues. The contract before the Council is the start of the process. Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve the contract with Farnsworth Group for $148,500. Alderman Satterlee seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

The contract with Teamsters will be discussed in Executive Session.

PUBLIC WORKS

There were no committee meetings.

Dylan Raub presented his proposed Eagle Scout project to the Council. He wants to re- landscape the Veteran’s Memorial in Pells Park. He wants to keep the living flowers, and to replace any if they are dead. Glen Kieser has been working with Dylan on this project and is happy to have support for the memorial. Alderman Johnson Anderson made a motion to approve Dylan Raub’s Eagle Scout project. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

Public Works Director LeClair spoke regarding the request to hire summer ICE help. They will be paid minimum wage. Expenses for the summer will be $4320, per employee. Having these employees will help the Public Works department to get caught up on weather delayed projects. Alderman Evans made a motion to approve the hiring of two summer ICE employees. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. Alderman Pacey Abstained. Six ayes, one abstain, motion passed.

Public Works Director LeClair spoke about the request to hire a part-time employee. He would like to hire a part-time employee at $12/hour. Total expense for the summer will be $6144. This is just a hire for the summer. Alderman Johnson Anderson made a motion to approve the hiring of a summer part-time employee. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Mayor Ingold sent a map to the Council regarding water ways. The City has sometimes participated in cleaning out the water way by Pit Road. For a company to clean out the water way, would be $12,500. A substantial amount of water runs through that area. The City has done the north side of town, but not on the south side. The question was raised if this area is part of a draining district. This item was tabled until next month.

The MFT Bid opening will be held at 9 a.m., on Tuesday, May 21st.

Public Works and City Hall employees will be receiving AED training that day as well.

PUBLIC SAFETY

There were no committee meetings.

Alderman Wilson sent an email out with traffic study information. Alderman Wilson proposed adding stop signs and yield signs to help reduce accidents at areas around town. There was discussion on placement of one of the stop signs. Renae Walters let the Council know that she supports having a stop sign on Ottawa as she states the traffic there goes very fast. Attorney Miller will provide an ordinance for approval on this for the next meeting.

There was some discussion on bus routes and roadwork. The change in stop signs is needed for future school traffic. Alderman Wilson made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 19-05, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE VII, CHAPTER 78 OF THE CODE OF PAXTON TO PROVIDE FOR STOP SIGNS AT FRANKLIN, MERIDIAN, AND HIGH. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

The City’s oldest police vehicle has over 100,000 miles, is frequently in the shop for repairs, and needs replacing. Alderman Wilson proposed taking money out of the DUI, Impound, and Drug Fine accounts. The vehicle will cost $47,756, and that includes all of the needed police upgrades. No tax or budget dollars are being used for this purchase. Alderman Johnson Anderson made a motion to approve the purchase of a new police vehicle for $47,756. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Police Chief Cornett briefed the Council on some of the drug cases they have been working on recently. From April 26th to May 11th, the following drug-related cases have happened: two search warranty executed, four arrest warrants, four arrests for possession of methamphetamine, one arrest for delivery of methamphetamine, one arrest for possession of a controlled substance, eight people charged with possession of cannabis, one arrest for possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver, four tickets for possession of drug paraphernalia, two arrests for driver under the influence of drugs, three drug forfeiture seizures – two vehicles and $2,282.00, one seized vehicle under Article 36, and two seized vehicles under city ordinance. These were conducted by Captain Johnson, Sergeant Yates, Officer Stafford, and Officer Nicolini.

CITY PROPERTY

There were no committee meetings.

Alderman Evans made a motion to all the American Legion Auxiliary to sell poppies on May 24th and 25th, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on the corners of Patton and Market Street and Pells and Market Street. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

There was discussion on a potential variance for the large flag installation. PBL District 10 should request a variance from the Zoning Board for the new flag.

Alderman Evans let the Council know that the landfill closure is moving closer. The EPA has checked off, Ford County Health Department has checked off. Wells need to be sealed up, panels taken down, and filled in with dirt. This should be finalized between June and September. Public Works Director LeClair’s goal is to have it finished by June.

The brush pile will be getting a sign installed telling people to dump their brush as far east as they can, instead of dumping in the middle of the area. If this is not adhered to, the hours may be limited or the area could be shut down to the public.

Work on the Pells Park Pavilion has started. Jazz in the Park is this weekend at Pells Park.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE

There were no committee meetings.

Jolen Anya Minetz was in attendance to discuss her variance request for 247 W. Orleans St. She owns a historic home in town that needs a new porch. She would like to restore the porch to its original dimension. A 25’ setback is the current ordinance. She is requesting a setback of 22’. This will be a wrap-around porch with an entryway. The Zoning Board unanimously recommended approving this ordinance. Neighbors approve of the proposed changes. Alderman Wilson made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 19-06, AN ORDINANCE APPROVING VARIANCE FOR 247 W. ORLEANS STREET. Alderman Johnson Anderson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

COMMUNITY

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Alderman Pacey is continuing to work with Alan Meyer for the Market on Market event.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

LONG TERM PLANNING

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

OTHER

New committee lists were distributed. Alderman Evans made a motion to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Brandon Magers to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote. Alderman Johnson Anderson made a motion to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Jason Raub to the Planning Commission. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

Ms. Minetz read a statement regarding the historical importance of Eastlawn School.

At 9:05 p.m. Alderman Wilson made a motion to enter into Executive Session for the limited purpose of discussing the employment, compensation, and or performance of one or more City employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (1) and to discuss collective negotiating matters between the City and its employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (2). Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Regular session resumed at 9:58 p.m.

Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve a raise of 3% to non-union employees and a one-time $1 per hour raise to non-union police officers for acquiring specialized certifications. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

At 9:59 p.m. Alderman Wilson made a motion to adjourn tonight’s regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/285/05-11-2019-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF