Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met April 9.

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.

Roll call showed the following aldermen in attendance: Aldermen Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, Withers and Wylie. Aldermen Evans and Steiger were absent. Also in attendance were: Mayor Ingold, Attorney Marc Miller, Comptroller/Treasurer Jensen, Public Works Director LeClair, Chief of Police Cornett, ERS Director Ed Hanson and members of the audience and press.

Mayor Ingold called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

MINUTES

Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve the minutes of the March Council Meeting. Aldermen Pacey seconded the motion. All yeas, motion carried on a voice vote.

LIST OF CLAIMS

Aldermen Wylie made a motion to approve the lists of claims excluding EIEC. Aldermen Withers seconded the motion. Roll Call: yeas – Aldermen Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, Withers and Wylie. All yeas, motion carried.

Aldermen Wylie made a motion to approve the list of EIEC claims. Aldermen Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: yeas – Aldermen Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Withers and Wylie. Abstention – Alderman Wilson. 5 yeas, 1 abstention, motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT AND INVESTMENT REGISTER

Aldermen Wylie made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report and Investment Register. Aldermen Wilson seconded the motion. All yeas - motion carried on a voice vote.

FINANCE/BUDGET

Alderman Wylie stated that on the Agenda was a request to Discuss and Approve a donation to the Show Bus. He said that he was not in agreement with giving a donation because there was no representative at the meeting to give information. Alderman Pacey stated he would like something stating who the Show Bus helps here in our community.

Comptroller/Treasurer Jensen said that she did a file disposition to get rid of the old files. She said it will be at least May and then another 60 days before any files will be able to be destroyed. Mayor Ingold stated maybe when it’s time to destroy the files we could offer the shredding service to the community.

PUBLIC WORKS

Greg Cook of Farnsworth stated he met with Mark regarding the streets needing to be repaired with MFT monies. He gave a spreadsheet to all members and stated some of the streets aren’t able to be repaired due to lack of funds. Alderman Wylie made a motion to accept the list of MFT repairs however adding that he wanted to raise it to $150,000. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. Roll Call: yeas – Aldermen Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, Withers and Wylie. All yeas, motion carried.

Alderman Pacey made a motion authorizing Mayor Ingold to execute the IDOT paperwork for the MFT work. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. Roll Call: Yeas – Aldermen Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, Withers and Wylie. All yeas motion carried on a voice vote.

Public Works Director LeClair stated that during the committee meeting, they discussed the purchase of a skidster and have gotten 3 bids. One from Case, Cat and Birkey’s. He said he was leaning towards the bobcat at $29,867.70. It is the cheapest and has all the features he asked for. They will trade in the old skidster and the City will receive a municipal discount. Alderman Wylie made a motion to approve the purchase of the Bobcat skidster at the cost of $29,867.70. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: yeas – Aldermen Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, Withers and Wylie. All yeas, motion carried.

LeClair also discussed an issue that they were having at the Vermilion street lift station. He stated he ordered the pump that was needed because it is necessary.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Chief Cornett stated that he, LeClair, Cliff McClure and Dave Bachtold from the PBL School discussed the need for 3 stop signs at the intersection of Franklin, High and Meridian Terrace so the traffic from the new school will flow properly. He stated that soon they would need to discuss possibly adding No Parking signs on the southside of Franklin and College to High St.

Alderman Wilson asked if anymore consideration had been given to putting in a sidewalk down Summer St. since children will be walking that way. LeClair stated there is a portion of sidewalk already down some of Summer St. Mayor Ingold stated they would need to see where the easement is and look at each parcel to see if a sidewalk could actually be placed.

Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve the 3 stop signs at the intersection of Franklin, High and Meridian Terrace. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: - yeas – Aldermen Glad, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson, Withers and Wylie. All yeas – motion carried on voice vote.

Chief Cornett stated soon the Police will begin giving residents notification to clean up their yards, old vehicles, etc.

Alderman Wilson had asked Chief Cornett to look into the intersection with no signs, markings, etc. He stated the Chief found 15 intersections that had accidents. Wilson stated at the next meeting he may have something to alleviate the issue.

Chief Cornett stated the Police shooting range will be open May 11, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

CITY PROPERTY

Mayor Ingold stated that work is being done on the Pells Park Pavilion. Brandon Eidson is doing the repairs and wants to add a flitch plate to support the main beam. The City received a gift last year and that is how the repairs will be paid. The colors will be white, maroon and battleship gray.

Public Works Director LeClair said that they have been working hard at Nelson Field. Trees have been cut down, bleachers were taken apart and repainted, and they are trimming trees. He stated that Steve and Pam Moore approved of the tree, bush removal and a fence.

Mayor Ingold stated that the Harvest Ale House is interested in outdoor dining. He stated that a Committee meeting needs to be scheduled to discuss it.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE

No Meeting and No Business.

COMMUNITY

No Meeting.

Alderman Pacey stated he is still working with the Chamber of Commerce to keep the Farmer’s Market downtown.

Comptroller/Treasurer Jensen stated the new City of Paxton website will be launched April 17, 2019.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

No Meeting

Alderman Satterlee stated Country Gardens Restaurant has been sold and renamed Country House. The new owners are hoping to open next week. They are waiting on approval from Public Health.

Alderman Satterlee asked if the sale of the Masonic Lodge building was still taking place. Mayor Ingold said they are waiting on attorneys to get the bill of sale put together.

Mayor Ingold stated there is phone call planned with Farnsworth to review the quotes for the Street Scape.

LONG TERM PLANNING

No Meeting and No Business.

OTHER BUSINESS

Arbor Day will be April 26, 2019 at Pells Park and the tree will be dedicated to the PBL FFA Group.

Mayor Ingold thanked Alderman Linda Glad for her service since April 2013 and also Alderman Bill Wylie for his service since May 2017 and 2 times prior as well.

Mayor Ingold stated the American Legion was sold due to swindling numbers. He said the Flag box will be moved to the City building at 755 N. Railroad Ave near the flag pole. Bob Nuckols will repaint and install the box.

Alderman Pacey made a motion to dismiss into Executive Session. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion.

City Council meeting dismissed into Executive Session at 7:53 p.m. The City Council Meeting was called back into session at 8:32 p.m.

Alderman Wilson made a motion to adjourn the City Council meeting. Alderman Withers seconded the motion

The City Council meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/272/04-09-2019-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF