Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met March 10.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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

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

Roll call showed the following aldermen in attendance: Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson and Withers. Alderman Evans was absent. Also, in attendance were: Mayor Bill Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Public Works Assistant Director Bob Carleton, 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 February Council meetings. Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve the minutes of the February Council meetings. Aldermen Pacey 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 Withers seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson and Withers. Six ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Withers made a motion to approve the EIEC bill. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, and Withers. Alderman Wilson abstained. Five 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 Johnson Anderson seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

FINANCE/BUDGET

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

PUBLIC WORKS

There were no committee meetings.

The MFT road work and road repairs will be discussed in an adjourned meeting. Information was not available to review for this meeting.

This meeting will be adjourned until March 24th, at 7:00 p.m.

PUBLIC SAFETY

There was a committee meeting and nothing on the agenda.

Chief Cornett let the Council know that they will be looking at ordinance violations, specifically mattresses, cars, and other junk outside.

The daycare center reported that with the newly installed stop signs there has been a significant reduction in the speed in that area.

CITY PROPERTY

There were no committee meetings.

The contract for the sale of the airport was received this morning. City Attorney Miller stated that the ordinance looks good, but on page 2 of the contract, he’d like to make an adjustment to clarify the promissory note. Alderman Johnson Anderson raised the concern of the owner having a parachute jumping school when they don’t own the property. City Attorney Miller let the Council know that the City won’t own the property once the closing happens and the City’s liability is greatly reduced. They will become a mortgage holder. Alderman Pacey made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 20-3 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A CONTRACT FOR SALE AND PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson and Withers. Six ayes, motion carried.

Mayor Ingold spoke about sidewalks and curbs. He’s contacted a couple of outside companies for pricing. Once he’s received both bids, he’ll get the information to the Council.

Mayor Ingold spent an afternoon with an EPA representative inspecting landfill #1. This is the shooting range area. The initial report was good. That landfill was closed in 1976.

Mayor Ingold had a request to put in a sound system downtown during the StreetScape project. This would allow for emergency notifications, as well as music. The Mayor has contacted the company that did this work in Gibson City. This will be on the April agenda.

Mayor Ingold has not yet received the written approval of the StreetScape project.

Mike Friend, with Farnsworth, is working with Public Works Director LeClair on the sludge removal and some other projects.

Mark Dwyre spoke to the Council about some of the properties that are rundown in town. He would like to purchase one of the houses that the City purchased at auction. He also asked about another property. There is a problem with getting a title for that property. City Attorney Miller spoke on some of the potential resolutions for that property. He is unsure of the specific status on that property. There was further discussion on this. Mr. Dwyre asked if he demolishes a house on a property, what can be built on the property? He should contact Building Administrator Matt Rock for more information on that question.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE

There was a committee meeting that discussed several zoning issues.

Alderman Satterlee discussed budgeting funds to help hire an outside company to help with ordinances and a zoning map.

City Attorney Miller discussed the annexation of property and the process of how that works. Alderman Johnson Anderson asked about how annexation works with the City being part of the Federal Flood program. Mr. Friend was asked about any issues with this. There was discussion on this item. If these maps are old, they can be updated.

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.

Mayor Ingold plans on meeting with everyone to go over things with the Council.

OTHER

Public Works Assistant Director Carleton spoke regarding water meters. He asked if any Aldermen receive complaints, please have them call City Hall to schedule replacing their meter.

At 7:44 p.m. Alderman Withers made a motion to adjourn tonight’s regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council to March 24th, at 7:00 p.m. Alderman Johnson Anderson seconded the motion. All ayes - motion carried on a voice vote.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/352/03-10-2020-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF