Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met July 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Ingold called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

Roll call showed the following aldermen in attendance: Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. Alderman Wilson was absent. Also, in attendance were: Mayor Bill Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Public Works Director Mark LeClair, Captain Chad Johnson, City Attorney Marc Miller, EMA Director Ed Hanson, 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 June Council meeting. Alderman Pacey made a motion to approve the minutes of the June Council meeting. Aldermen Evans 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. Alderman Johnson Anderson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes - Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

TREASURER'S REPORT AND INVESTMENT REGISTER 

The reports have been emailed to all Aldermen. Alderman Geiken made a motion to approve the Treasurer's Report and Investment Register. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

FINANCE/BUDGET 

There were no committee meetings.

Mayor Ingold gave an update on the Teamster contract. The City and Labor Attorney David Krchak are awaiting a response from the Teamsters on the latest contract proposal.

Alderman Johnson Anderson made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 19-09 MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE CITY OF PAXTON, ILLINOIS, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING ON THE 1ST DAY OF MAY, 2019 AND ENDING ON THE 30TH DAY OF APRIL, 2020.  Alderman Steiger seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes - Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Treasurer/Comptroller Jensen gave an update on the annual audit. The auditors just left this evening Treasurer Comptroller Jensen said everything went smoothly and the auditors brought up no concerns. They will be sending a report at a later date.

TIF Attorney Dan Schuering was in attendance to give a TIF report for tonight's meeting. The TIF is over 6 years old. It is underperforming financially. The TIF has one is the lack of appropriate assessments. Attorney Schuering detailed some of the assessment issues. The TIF will never perform correctly unless this issue is resolved. The second challenge is the Warner property. It is a complex and difficult problem that was made worse by Joe Warner's passing. This property is also impacted by the fact that there is no adequate access to the land without a sizeable financial contribution. The third challenge is the City's location. Being midway between Gilman and Rantoul, it makes attracting retailers challenging. This problem is compounded by the fact that many retailers want to be on the east side of Interstate 57. These problems are not insurmountable, but they are difficult. The new hotel does show that businesses on the west side of Interstate 57 can be successful. Completing the StreetScape will enhance the City's downtown area and help bring more tourism dollars into the town. Attorney Schuering stressed that there needs to be more work downtown completed by the property owners.

Attorney Schuering passed out a document detailing the financial performance of the TIF. This document will be included at the end of the minutes. There was discussion on this document.

Attorney Schuering was asked about the airport. He has updated all parties involved in the potential airport sale with the latest EPA paperwork, and things are now moving forward again. A question was raised from the audience why assessments aren't happening every four years as the law requires and any consequences from that. Attorney Schuering said there are no penalties for not completing the assessments as required. Attorney Schuering stated that the Mayor has attempted to form a TIF committee from the City Council, with not much interest. A committee could help provide some guidelines and interest. Alderman Evans asked if raising assessments could drive people out of town. Attorney Schuering stated that in his 35 years of doing this, he has not seen that happen.

PUBLIC WORKS 

There were no committee meetings.

Alderman Steiger spoke regarding the rate adjustment for Water/Sewer rates. The current rate is 2% per year. Annual expenditures are exceeding that 2%. It needs to be increased to help keep up with costs. Alderman Steiger made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 19-10 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ANNUAL RATE INCREASE AS IT RELATES TO WATER & SEWER RATES. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes - Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Steiger and Public Works Director LeClair asked $46,000 for sludge removal. This is an annual request that needs to be done at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Alderman Steiger made a motion to authorize the removal of 1 million gallons of sludge from the Waste Water Treatment Plant at a cost not to exceed $46,000. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes - Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Steiger asked Public Works Director LeClair to speak regarding the equipment purchase. Public Works Director LeClair related information regarding bids for dump truck beds on the 2-ton trucks. They came in at $36,899.56 for two beds. Alderman Evans made a motion to approve the purchase of the two dump truck beds and accessory equipment, not to exceed $40,000. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes - Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Public Works Director LeClair spoke about a snowplow purchase. He's requesting the plow and two sets of snow wheels. Alderman Evans made a motion to approve the purchase of a snowplow and two sets of snow wheels, not to exceed $13,500. Alderman Satterlee seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes - Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Public Works Director LeClair gave an update on the landfill. Mike Streff is retiring, and this is his last meeting. Public Works Director LeClair has a copy of the paperwork that has been sent to the EPA regarding the landfill closure. Mayor Ingold thanked Mike for his contribution to the City.

PUBLIC SAFETY 

There were no committee meetings.

Chief Cornett is on vacation, Captain Johnson was in attendance in his absence. The Police Department has no problems with the street closure for the Swine and Dine Event. Alderman Geiken questioned the early closure time and the impact it might have on businesses. Alderman Withers said that he wasn't aware of any negative impacts from the previous year. Mayor Ingold reiterated his offer to shuttle people on a golf cart, if they need it. Treasurer/Comptroller Jensen stated that this can be posted on the website as well. It was noted that street closures are at the discretion of the Chief of Police.

Alderman Pacey made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 19-11 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE VII, CHAPTER 79 OF THE CODE OF PAXTON TO RESTRICT PARKING ON PELLS STREET. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes - Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried. Signs will be posted.

Alderman Pacey asked Captain Johnson what his preference was for the sale of the old squad car. Captain Johnson stated that selling it openly usually results in better prices. The equipment will be stripped from the vehicle. Alderman Johnson Anderson made a motion to determine the 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe for the Police Department as surplus property and authorize the Chief of Police to sell it on behalf of the City to the highest reasonable offer. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes - Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Pacey made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 19-12 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE VII, CHAPTER 78 OF THE CODE OF PAXTON TO PROVIDE W. PINE STREET. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes - Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, and Withers. Nays - Alderman Steiger. Six ayes, one nay, motion carried.

Alderman Johnson Anderson spoke to the Council regarding walking safety. She discussed some areas on the east side of Paxton that do not have sidewalks, have bad sightlines, and are heavy traffic areas. This could become more of an issue with the new addition to Clara Peterson.

Alderman Johnson Anderson also brought up people walking in the parking lane on Pells Street. She has thoughts to talk to the school about walking safety guidelines.

There have been discussions about putting in sidewalks on Summer Street. There was further discussion on how to education people to keep them safe. This information can be posted on the City's website, Captain Johnson said they can work with the school to do some presentations, and the Mayor will talk to the Ford County Record to do an article in the paper. Mike Streff brought up the Safe Route for Kids program as something to investigate for possible funding for sidewalks or other items.

Alderman Satterlee brought up an area downtown that has some concrete that's coming up. Mayor Ingold is working on it.

Public Works Director LeClair has the new signs for the semi-truck thru traffic issues and is working on getting them posted.

Traffic control for the 4th of July was very well managed, Mayor Ingold congratulated EMA Director Hanson for that.

CITY PROPERTY 

There were no committee meetings.

Alderman Evans asked Mayor Ingold to speak on the property at 234 W. State Street. Mayor Ingold gave an update on it. Alderman Evans made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 19 13 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF A PURCHASE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PAXTON AND FORD COUNTY FOR 234 W. STATE STREET. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes - Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Evans brought up a property on West Franklin Street. It could be purchased and turned into a parking lot for Nelson Field. There was discussion on it. Mayor Ingold had a common consensus to purchase the property, via email. The Council gave a consensus to purchase the property.

Janelle Moore spoke regarding the request for the Paxton Nursery School to collect funds. This is the annual Pack the Backpack fundraiser. Alderman Steiger asked if it was necessary for the Council to approve each of these requests, or could the responsibility be shifted to the Police Chief. Attorney Miller said this could be done, but an ordinance should probably be drafted if that's the way the Council wants to go. Attorney Miller will work on drafting this ordinance. Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve the Paxton Nursery School to collect donations on August 23rd, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., and August 24th, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., at the corners of Patton/Market St. and Pells/Market St and Orleans/Cherry St. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried on a voice vote.

The building maintenance for the EMA Building was tabled until next month.

Alderman Evans spoke on the bids for clock tower. It was agreed that the clock tower needs to be painted. Alderman Steiger made a motion to request bids for painting the clock tower.

Alderman Satterlee seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes - Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Evans stated that the Pells Park Pavilion looks very nice. The work is complete for now. There were many comments about how good Pells Park and Bixby Park looked for the 4th of July. Mayor Ingold thanked Public Works Director LeClair and his crew for their good work.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE 

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Alderman Johnson Anderson had multiple questions on the proposed solar ordinance. There was further discussion on this ordinance. This ordinance will be sent to the Planning Commission for development.

COMMUNITY

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

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 

Engineers will be here next week to look at some things for Market Street regarding the StreetScape planning.

CIMOA is being held in Savoy, and Mayor Ingold sent out an email about this recently.

At 8:55 p.m. Alderman Evans 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.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/299/07-09-19-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF