Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met Feb. 11.

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, 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 January Council meeting and the December 19th City Council meeting. Alderman Pacey made a motion to approve the minutes of the January Council meeting and the December 19th City Council meeting. Aldermen Johnson Anderson 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 Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

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

This meeting will be adjourned until February 25th at 7:00 p.m. There will also be a Public Works Committee meeting at 6:00 p.m. on February 25th.

The Mayor’s appointment to the 4th Ward will be discussed at the meeting on February 25th.

FINANCE/BUDGET

There were no committee meetings.

Mike Frichtl, with Pheasants Forever, was in attendance regarding their request for funds. They use the funds for pheasant habitat and for the Young Guns events. Alderman Evans made a motion for approve a donation of $250 to Pheasants Forever. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Wilson discussed the ordinance to change the number of gaming machines in the City. The State changed their allowable amount, and there was a request for another gaming machine in Paxton. The Council might consider looking at raising the prices on these licenses in the future. Alderman Wilson made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 20-2 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 110.03 OF THE CODE OF PAXTON REGARDING NUMBER OF GAMING MACHINES ALLOWED. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Wilson discussed the Show Bus donation request. The Show Bus provides rides for people to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores, etc. The Aldermen would like some information on numbers of rides provided. This will be discussed at the adjourned meeting.

PUBLIC WORKS

There were no committee meetings.

The dump truck purchase will be discussed on February 25th. The salt bin will be discussed on February 25th also.

Alderman Withers talked about the Water Preparedness Plan that Public Works Director LeClair put together. This was a very inclusive plan and very well put together! Mayor Ingold helped revise this plan also.

It is time to start looking at MFT roads and making some decisions on what work to do. This will also depend on the StreetScape project. There was discussion on the MFT process and potential streets/alleys to work on. There was discussion on potential work on Hunt Street.

There was some discussion on the truck purchase and the salt bin.

PUBLIC SAFETY

There was a committee meeting and nothing on the agenda. Budget items were discussed at the committee meeting.

Chief Cornett said that it was a busy month for the Paxton Police Department. There were a couple of large cases. Drugs, guns, and money were obtained from a case. There was a traffic stop that uncovered drugs and equipment to make and distribute drugs. Letters of Appreciation were issued to Captain Chad Johnson, Officer Stewart Stafford, Officer Thomas Sink, and Officer Trevor Norris for their efforts.

Chief Cornett was asked if there was an increase in DUIs due to legal cannabis. He said not really, but there were some issues with improper transportation. All his employees have been trained on the new cannabis laws.

EMA Director Hanson received the maintenance contract for the tornado sirens for a total of $1331.96. They look at all four sirens and do testing.

CITY PROPERTY

There were no committee meetings.

The discussion of the sale of the airport will be tabled until the February 25th meeting. The contract will be sent out to the Aldermen for review.

Mayor Ingold will be sending out an update on the properties that have been purchased. Justin Bruner has been doing an excellent job with these items.

Mayor Ingold introduced Jeff Martin, from Farnsworth Group, to give an update on the StreetScape project. Farnsworth spent the winter finalizing the plans and specifications. They are doing a quality check now. While that is happening, Freddie Beth Schmutte is working with DCEO regarding the funding. She needs a letter of approval from DCEO, then there is an environmental review, and then the project can go out for bids.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Alderman Satterlee would like to have a committee meeting to discuss potential annexations and some zoning items. There was some discussion on these items. This meeting is scheduled for March 10th at 6:00 p.m.

COMMUNITY

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Alderman Pacey mentioned that there is at least one high schooler interested in the Junior Alderman Program. He will get the application to the High School office.

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

Mayor Ingold will contact someone regarding the Land Bank program and have them talk to everyone about options.

At 7:45 p.m. Alderman Wilson made a motion to adjourn tonight’s regular meeting of the Mayor and City Council until February 25th 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/338/02-11-2020-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF