Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met Jan. 11.

Here are 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 7:01 p.m.

Roll call showed the following aldermen in attendance: Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, and Wilson. Also, in attendance were: Mayor Bill Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Police Capt. Chad Johnson, Street/Alley Supervisor Jesse Houtzel, Attorney Marc Miller, and members of the audience and press.

The mayor led the meeting in the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Wilson made the motion to concur with the mayor’s appointment of the members of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Alderman Hoedebecke seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, and Wilson. Five ayes, motion carried.

MINUTES

Mayor Ingold asked if there were any changes, corrections or additions that needed made to the minutes from the December Council meeting. Alderman Wilson motioned to accept the minutes. Aldermen Geiken seconded the motion. All approved on a voice vote.

LIST OF CLAIMS

Alderman Pacey made a motion to approve the lists of claims, except for the claims for EIEC. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, and Wilson. Five ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Hoedebecke made a motion to approve the EIEC bill. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, and Pacey. Abstain – Wilson. Four ayes, one 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 Hoedebecke seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried.

FINANCE/BUDGET – ALDERMAN WILSON

Continued from last month was a request to discuss and approve a Contract for the Paxton Streetscape project to Iroquois Paving Corporation $1,037,912.29. Three bids were opened and Iroquois Paving Corporation had the low bid for the dollar amount listed above. Mr. Cook from Farnsworth has the city attorney Marc Miller reviewing the contract. Alderman Wilson requested we hold on the motion to approve toward the end of the meeting to allow Attorney Miller to complete his review of the contract.

Comptroller Tammy Jensen reported 1099 and W-2 forms have been sent out. Tammy is continuing to close out the end of the calendar year work.

PUBLIC WORKS – ALDERMAN WITHERS

Water/Sewer Supervisor Bob Carleton was out working on a locate for a water issue so couldn’t be present for the meeting. Mr. Friend from Farnsworth met with Bob last week and commented that they reviewed the water treatment facility and the issues that are needing to be repaired/replaced or updated. Mr. Friend and Farnsworth will be working on a report and evaluation on how to handle these issues.

Street/Alley Supervisor Jesse Houtzel reported that they have been grinding stumps throughout town. Also reported that the workers were out salting for ice this past weekend. Supervisor Houtzel spoke briefly that a hydro excavation system was purchased that uses high pressure water and will be used to help with cleaning/digging holes. It is safer for use around utilities, gas lines and water lines.

PUBLIC SAFETY – ALDERMAN PACEY

Alderman Pacey started the discussion for the Ford County Sheriff’s Dispatch contract. The contract had been sent out by Chief Cornett to the council for review. The contract was not forwarded last May and it was missed so it was discussed if it is better to approve last year’s contract for $20,000 a year retroactively and then do the upcoming contract now at the same

time. The contract is identical and the same cost. Alderman Pacey made the motion to approve the 2021/2022 contract retroactively and to approve the 2022/2023 contract. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. Ayes: Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, and Wilson. Abstains: Evans. Four ayes, one abstention, motion carried.

CITY PROPERTY – ALDERMAN EVANS

Building is almost complete. Motion lights are set up and will turn off if no motion detected for 5 minutes. East wall of main building has been repaired and lighting has been added.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE – ALDERMAN GEIKEN

Now that there is a viable planning and zoning commission a meeting, Alderman Geiken will be forwarding the proposed changes to them for review.

COMMUNITY – ALDERMAN HOEDEBECKE

No meeting or information this month.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – ALDERMAN COX

Car wash is still awaiting an electric panel. G&S has closed down but the new owners have established the business and repairs are being done and they are just waiting on permits and approvals to be able to sell gasoline.

LONG TERM PLANNING- ALDERMAN CRUTCHER

No meeting set at this time.

OTHER

Alderman Wilson made the motion to approve a contract with Iroquois Paving Corporation as presented reflecting their winning bid for the CBD improvements project in an amount of $1,037,912.29 to be paid from account 38 CDBG RLF Streetscape grant and authorize the mayor to execute it. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, and Wilson. Five ayes, motion carried.

The mayor reported that Phase 2 requests were submitted for a grant to help get the next process started so we will wait to see if we are able to be approved for grant funds for the next section of the Streetscape Project.

Alderman Wilson motioned to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Hoedebecke seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:22pm.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/506/01-11-2022-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF