City of Paxton City Council met Dec. 10.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
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, 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 November Council meeting. Alderman Withers made a motion to approve the minutes of the November Council meeting. Aldermen Evans seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried on a voice vote.
LIST OF CLAIMS
Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve the lists of claims, except for EIEC bill. Alderman Steiger seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, Wilson and Withers. Alderman Johnson Anderson abstained. Seven ayes, one abstain, motion carried.
Alderman Steiger 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 Geiken seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.
Mayor Ingold spoke regarding the passing of former Police Chief Robert Bane. Graveside services will be held Thursday, December 12th, at 11 a.m.
Mayor Ingold would also like to speak to each alderman regarding some of the items that have happened in the last month, and some items that are upcoming in the next few months.
FINANCE/BUDGET
There were no committee meetings.
The Tax Levy Ordinance approval has always been approved in December, so it is being re- affirmed this month. Alderman Wilson made a motion to REAFFIRM AND APPROVE ORDINANCE 19-24 A TAX LEVY ORDINANCE AND REAFFIRMATION OF THE CITY OF PAXTON, ILLINOIS FOR 2019-2020. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Steiger, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS
There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda. Greg Cook, Farnsworth, said that the application for the StreetScape project has been submitted by Fredi Beth Schmutte. There was a question regarding the No Thru Truck signs. They will be installed soon.
PUBLIC SAFETY
There were no committee meetings.
Alderman Geiken was approached regarding this intersection. Mr. Jake Pietkiewicz spoke about his concern regarding this intersection that has no stop signs or yield signs. The north/south directions are where the cars are gaining speed and not yielding. Alderman Johnson Anderson asked if putting up the speed trailer would slow people down. Chief Cornett said he can certainly do that. There was discussion on the numbers of accidents at the intersections. This item will be revisited in January.
CITY PROPERTY
There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.
Mayor Ingold received a letter from Mr. Schertz’s attorney stating that he is no longer interested in the airport or the landfill. The Mayor let Mr. Hrupsa know, and Mr. Hrupsa said to let him know when the paperwork is ready to be signed, and he will be there. Hopefully, this will be on the agenda for the January. Mayor Ingold read the letter from Mr. Schertz’s attorney to the Council.
Alderman Steiger reminded the Council that some of this revenue was set to go towards the pavilion, however since some of those repairs have been completed, he suggested that some of these proceeds could be used for the StreetScape project.
Carol Thilmony has a concern regarding the cut near the railroad. She contacted the ICC and they stated that they aren’t responsible for the appearance of the cut past what is safe. It is very overgrown and an eyesore. If the StreetScape property is coming, the railroad walkway is an entrance to the StreetScape, and it looks bad. Canadian Railroad has been in touch with Mayor Ingold regarding some of their existing leases and City Attorney Miller is getting involved. City Attorney Miller will work with the Mayor on this issue.
LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE
There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.
COMMUNITY
There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.
Mayor Ingold said that the new purchaser of The Paxton Inn stopped by City Hall earlier this week.
LONG TERM PLANNING
There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.
Alderman Johnson Anderson spoke regarding the new, laminated maps that all the Aldermen now have. There is also a pad of tear-off paper maps available at City Hall for use as well.
OTHER
Paxton Library Board has lost a member. Hillary Sawyer has been recommended to replace Dana Bergandine. Alderman Johnson Anderson made a motion to approve the appointment of Hillary Sawyer to the Paxton Library Board. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.
Alderman Steiger will be resigning after this meeting. He has moved outside of the city. He is still deeply invested in the city. Please feel free to contact him at any time. Mayor Ingold accepted his resignation with regrets and thanked him for his service
At 7:41 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/317/12-10-2019-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF