Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met Oct. 8.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The monthly meeting of the Paxton City Council was held on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Mayor Ingold called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Roll call showed the following aldermen in attendance: Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, Wilson and Withers. Also, in attendance were: Mayor Bill Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Public Works Director Mark LeClair, Police Chief Coy Cornett, 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 September Council meeting. Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve the minutes of the September Council meeting. Aldermen Evans seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried on a voice vote.

LIST OF CLAIMS

Alderman Geiken made a motion to approve the lists of claims, except for EIEC bill. Alderman Johnson Anderson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

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

TREASURER’S REPORT AND INVESTMENT REGISTER

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

FINANCE/BUDGET

There were no committee meetings.

Kemper CPA Group was in attendance to discuss the annual audit. The audit was clean. Treasurer/Comptroller Jensen is doing a good job. The Revolving Loan Fund ended in 2019. Paying off this loan looks like a large expense on the audit and shows a net income loss because of this. If this expense is excluded, the City has a net income increase. The settlement of some litigation was also noted separately. Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve the audit presented by Kemper CPA Group. Alderman Steiger seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

PUBLIC WORKS

There were no committee meetings.

The impellors on Chestnut Street need to be replaced at a cost of $21,626.76. This cost is included in this year’s budget. Alderman Steiger made a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute the purchase of the impellors at a cost of $21,626.76. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Mike Friend, from Farnsworth, was here to speak about the water and sewer extensions on Jack Street. He and Public Works Director LeClair looked at the issue. The plans and permit application are with the Mayor for approval. The City will be paying for the water and sewer permitting, construction, and extension costs out of the Water fund, and no grant fees nor any other funds will be used towards these extensions. The City will not be reimbursed in any way for these extensions. There was some discussion on this issue. Alderman Steiger made a motion to authorize the Mayor to sign the paperwork for the permitting for the water and sewer extension on Jack Street. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

Mayor Ingold received a couple of calls regarding the burning ordinance. He thought that the ordinance could be looked over to see if there are any changes that should be made. There was discussion on the Council on potential changes. Mr. Charles White spoke and thanked the Mayor and Council for reconsidering the issue. Mr. White would like to see burning allowed again, if not openly allowed, at least a couple of days a week. Mr. Dan Beppler thought the town looked bad last year with the leaves around. Mr. Mark Little spoke about burning on odd or even days depending on your house number or side of town. Mr. Dave Hastings spoke about the costs of disposing of the leaves. He paid $300 last year to take care of the leaves. He thinks burning should be allowed on Wednesdays and on weekends. Ms. Patsy Elliott spoke about her experience last year and how rough it was to properly take care of her leaves. Ms. Nancy Dewey spoke and relayed her dismay at the difficulty of taking care of her yard, and her desire to keep her yard looking nice. Alderman Steiger made a motion to repeal the leaf burning Subsection B of Section 92.01 of Chapter 92 of the code of Paxton which prohibits leaf burning. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, and Withers. Seven ayes, one nay, motion carried. Alderman Steiger asked that this issue go to a committee for further discussion.

PUBLIC SAFETY

There were no committee meetings.

Trick or Treat hours will be from 5 – 8 p.m., on Thursday, October 31.

The yield sign will be tabled for now. Alderman Steiger let everyone know that throwing things at moving cars or putting obstacles in the road to prevent speeding will get that person in trouble. Contact the Police Department if you are having an issue with traffic.

EMA Director Hanson gave the Council some updated info on NIMS training. The City is not required to do the training, but it is highly recommended. The Council will fall into the All Emergency Responders group for training, approximately 7 hours. If you have any trouble with the training, contact EMA Director Hanson. He’s happy to help people get this completed. He also reiterated a need for an official chain of command during an emergency situation. Assistant Director Kevin Turner reiterated the need to complete these training modules. If the NIMS are not completed, the accreditation will not be approved. There is no cost associated with these modules. EMA Director Hanson would like to see these completed by April 2020.

Chief Cornett and the Mayor spoke regarding another problematic area, at Union and Fulton Streets, that will be coming to the Council on a future agenda.

On September 25, Chief Cornett and Alderman Johnson Anderson spoke with the Clara Peterson Elementary school, regarding safe walking and biking habits. It was very well received! There was hands-on practice for the students and the teachers want to repeat the event every year!

Chief Cornett presented Trevor Norris as the newest Police Officer.

CITY PROPERTY

There were no committee meetings.

Corey Tavenner would like to put up an awning at 125 N. Market Street. Alderman Steiger made a motion to approve the license for the awning at 125 N. Market Street. Alderman Johnson Anderson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Chief Cornett has passed on the information regarding a broken window at the Pells Park pavilion. This is in the works to be fixed.

No update on the airport as of yet.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE

There were no committee meetings.

Alderman Satterlee and City Attorney spoke about the revised Solar Panel ordinance. There was an amendment to the ordinance clarifying pollinator units were only needed in solar gardens and solar farms. Alderman Satterlee made a motion to approve ORDINANCE 19-18 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ZONING ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF PAXTON, ILLINOIS TO PROVIDE FOR SOLAR ENERGY. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

COMMUNITY

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Alderman Withers thanked the City and the City employees for all their hard work in ensuring that everything looked amazing for the Swine and Dine. There was another great crowd for the concert.

Alderman Withers and Alderman Geiken spoke about the Wine and Chocolate walk. The local businesses did a great job. Alderman Geiken said that 80% of the people he spoke to were from out of town. Alderman Steiger seconded Alderman Geiken. He also thinks that the City needs to continue to be involved in these events and help promote these events.

Mayor Ingold let the Council know that there were 50 – 55 people in attendance for the StreetScape public meeting. People were able to ask questions. The Ford County Record is going to get those questions, and answers, in the paper and online. There was also a phone conference working on some costs. They are working on a timeline and pushing to get this done.

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

CIMOA will be October 24, in St. Joseph this month.

At 8:27 p.m. Alderman Withers made a motion to adjourn tonight’s regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council. Alderman Johnson Anderson seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/312/10-08-2019-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF