Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met Oct. 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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

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, Wilson and Withers. Alderman Hoedebecke was absent. Also, in attendance were: Mayor Bill Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Assistant Public Works Director Bob Carleton, Police Chief Coy Cornett, ERS Director Ed Hanson, and members of the audience and press.

MINUTES

Mayor Ingold asked if there were any changes, corrections or additions that needed made to the minutes from the September Council meeting. Alderman Johnson Anderson made a motion to approve the minutes of the September Council meeting. Aldermen Geiken seconded the motion. All approved on a voice vote.

LIST OF CLAIMS

Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve the lists of claims, except for the EIEC and Johnson and Johnson. Alderman Johnson Anderson 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 and Johnson and Johnson bill. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Satterlee, and Withers. Abstain –Johnson Anderson and Wilson. Five ayes, two abstains, 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 approved on a voice vote.

FINANCE/BUDGET

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Luke Sparks, with Kemper CPA Group, presented a summary of the FY20 Audit. Their opinion is that the financial statements are presented fairly, and it is a clean audit. Mr. Sparks noted that the City didn’t go over budget in any funds, which is a positive. He thanked Comptroller/Treasurer Jensen for all of her help, and Heather’s as well, and thanked the City for allowing them the opportunity to perform the audit. Alderman Wilson made a motion to accept the FY20 audit as presented. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. All approved on a voice vote.

The Joint Review Board meeting for the TIF is on October 21st, at 7:00 p.m., in City Hall.

The Mayor let the Council know that there were 3 additional applications that were approved for DCEO funds.

PUBLIC WORKS

There were no committee meetings.

Mike Friend was in attendance from Farnsworth Group to discuss the MFT items. The final pay estimate was more than the final work. There was a deduction of $12,872.30, which is great. There is also a request for a change of plans. There is also a certification that needs to be signed and submitted. Alderman Withers made a motion to approve the change in pay, to approve the change in plans, and to authorize the certification. Alderman Johnson Anderson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Assistant Public Works Director Carleton updated the Council on the status of sidewalks and curbs. The sidewalk on the 200 block of East Center Street to Vermillion is done, along with the sidewalks near Pells Park. They are working on others. Alderman Satterlee asked that Doug Higgins be notified when his sidewalks are being worked on. Assistant Public Works Director Carleton said he will do that.

Assistant Public Works Director Carleton also updated the Council on the water meter replacement project. They have replaced almost 100 meters so far.

The StreetScape project is on hold, but should be completed before December of next year. Mayor Ingold asked if a section of Market Street could be milled and paved with 1 inch of asphalt. He’s going to get going on that, for approximately $5,000 for both the 100 and 200 blocks.

Dave Buhr spoke to the Council regarding the sidewalk between State and Pells. Part of that sidewalk was removed and is now overgrown with grass. It leads to a church, and he wanted to make the Council aware of this issue. Mayor Ingold will take a look at it.

PUBLIC SAFETY

There were no committee meetings.

Chief Cornett spoke about the portable radio system. There are some areas where the signal drops out. This leads to an officer safety issue. They have tested a system that doesn’t work, so they are now looking at a Mobile Radio Repeater. $25,511.50 is the cost of this system, from Supreme Radio. They are offering the higher model, compare to the other bid. Alderman Evans made a motion to purchase the Mobile Radio Repeater system from Supreme Radio for $25,511.50. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

There was discussion on setting permanent Trick or Treating hours, 5 – 8 p.m., on October 31st. Cordelia Geiken made a comment supporting the 5 – 8 p.m. hours. Alderman Wilson made a motion to set permanent Trick or Treating hours from 5 – 8 p.m., on October 31st. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. All approved on a voice vote.

Chief Cornett updated the Council regarding ordinance violations. They are working on 556 W. Winter Street, 404 S. Market, 640 E. Patton, and 110 W. Spruce.

Mayor Ingold congratulated Chief on his new grandbaby!

CITY PROPERTY

There were no committee meetings.

Alderman Evans updated the Council regarding the green donation drop boxes. He’s working with the Mayor to get the issue with dumping resolved. There was discussion on the issue.

Mayor Ingold spoke to the Council regarding the bids for painting and repairing the Clock Tower. Mayor Ingold opened a bid from C & M Construction, Tuscola, for $18,625. There was a second bid from Eagle Painting, Paxton, for $68,887.00. Mayor Ingold is going to get a little more info from C & M Construction regarding paint. This item has been tabled until next month.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE

Work is still progressing in the committee on updating the zoning ordinances. There will be another committee meeting at 6:00 p.m. on November 10th.

Impact Communities will be giving a presentation on Tuesday, October 22nd, at 6:00 p.m., at City Hall.

COMMUNITY

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Mayor Ingold let everyone know that the Open House for the Masonic Lodge will be held on October 24th, at 1 p.m.

Alan Meyer, with the Paxton Chamber of Commerce, let the Council know the results from the Chocolate and Wine Walk. Eighteen businesses participated, 150 tickets available, 140 tickets were sold. Brought in $6,492, up from $3,600 last year. Out of town visitors accounted for 28% of these dollars. They are looking to increase the involvement next year.

An Eat, Drink, and Shop event is happening on November 7th. You purchase a gift card, and then you’ll get another gift card purchased by the Chamber. Alan thanked the City for participating in this event.

Mayor Ingold is working with WCIA to advertise businesses and will have more information for the next Council meeting.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

There were no committee meetings.

Mayor Ingold emailed the Aldermen regarding the redevelopment agreements for Paxton Hospitality LLC and Paxton Packing LLC. There was discussion on these agreements. There are TIF funds for these. Alderman Wilson made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 20-24 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN

THE CITY OF PAXTON, ILLINOIS AND PAXTON MOTEL HOSPITALITY, LLC, AUTHORIZING EXECUTION THEREOF, AND OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Wilson made a motion to APPROVE ORDINANCE 20-25 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING A REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF PAXTON, ILLINOIS, PAXTON PACKING, LLC, AND PAXTON INVESTMENTS, LLC, AUTHORIZING EXECUTION THEREOF, AND OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. Alderman Johnson Anderson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Johnson Anderson, Pacey, Satterlee, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Mayor Ingold let the Council know that 108 W. State Street is getting a paint job. There will be a feed and general store opening there, hopefully before Christmas.

Mayor Ingold let the Council know that 247 N. Railroad, Dollar Store, has been sold and a dental office will be going in there. There may be an orthodontist at some point.

LONG TERM PLANNING

There were no committee meetings and nothing on the agenda.

Alderman Pacey talked about looking at the road by the new dentist office. There was some discussion on this.

Alderman Pacey asked about the East Stand Pipe. Greg Gustafson was here today and is working with Assistant Public Works Director Carleton on this.

There was discussion on signage for Weaver Court. The Mayor will work on this.

The thru truck signs are still being looked at for the best placement area. There was discussion on this.

OTHER

Comptroller/Treasurer Jensen and Mayor Ingold took a Freedom of Information refresher class. It was a good class.

Kristen Larson and Dale Wise thanked everyone for serving the City. They recently moved to the City, and love it, and wanted to speak about the ordinance regarding chickens. Kristen spoke regarding the sustainability movement associated with backyard chickens. She passed out some documentation to the Aldermen on this topic. They asked the Alderman to reconsider the wording on this ordinance.

At 8:22 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 approved on a voice vote.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/387/10-13-2020-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF