Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met March 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The monthly meeting of the Paxton City Council was held at 7:00p.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: Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Also, in attendance were: Mayor Bill Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Police Chief Cornett, Attorney Marc Miller, Water/Sewer Supervisor Bob Carleton, Street/Alley Supervisor Jesse Houtzel and members of the audience.

The mayor led the meeting in the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance. A moment of silence was held in honor of Former Mayor Jim Kingston.

MINUTES 

Mayor Ingold asked if there were any changes, corrections or additions that needed made to the minutes from the February Council meeting. Alderman Wilson motioned to accept the minutes. Aldermen Hoedebecke 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 claim for EIEC. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Hoedebecke made a motion to approve the EIEC bill. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, and Withers. Abstain – Crutcher 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 Hoedebecke seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

FINANCE/BUDGET – ALDERMAN WILSON 

Alderman Wilson stated that traditionally the council has supported the Pheasants Forever group with a $250 donation and has suggested that this be continued however he further recommended that the framed Pheasants Print be donated back to the group to be used as they wish. Alderman 

Wilson made the motion to make a $250 donation to Pheasants Forever. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Discuss and Approve Auditor Engagement Letter – The previous cost was $17,000 from Kemper and they have opted not to do municipal audits any longer. After calling around to multiple agencies a quote was received for $17,000 from Feller and Koester. Comptroller Jensen felt that if we were not able to secure an auditor now there could be an issue. Alderman Wilson motioned that we accept Feller & Koester bid for up to $18,000 for this year’s audit. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Comptroller Jensen mentioned that she has been doing a lot of shredding. She said that Triad Shredding from Rantoul has taken approximately 40 bankers boxes filled with shredding materials and then returned the folders and bankers boxes back to the city office providing an ability to recycle these materials for additional cost savings.

PUBLIC WORKS – ALDERMAN WITHERS 

Discuss and Approve Repairs and Upgrades at Waste Water Treatment Plant – Alderman Withers stated that the Public Works committee met with Mr. Friend and the Farnsworth Group last week to review a report put together by their agency. Following the meeting, Mayor Ingold and Mr. Friend met together this past Monday to review items prioritized and an updated report was put together to refine estimates for what was requested by Supervisor Carleton and Mayor Ingold. Mayor Ingold stated that he would like for the council to have some time to review the updated estimate as well as to review another estimate that was received earlier this day. Mayor Ingold stated that he would like to hold a follow up meeting to review the reports in a week or two. Alderman Pacey asked Mr. Friend to see if there is more information that can be provided about the life cycle of the blowers, the anticipated efficiency and savings with new blowers. Supervisor Carleton stated that they have decided that the new blower will be a coarse bubble diffuser. By using this option, it will eliminate the need for an updated IEPA permit as well as provide an option to replace the diffuser without having to drain the plant completely.

Alderman Wilson asked to clarify the situation with the blowers and how many are currently working. Supervisor Carleton stated that an electrician was here last week and was able to check on the power. The electrician was able to make some repairs and they are currently all working with some additional repairs needed. Alderman Wilson asked if it might be necessary to get a handle on the I&I standing before making the decision to purchase one or two blowers. Mr. Friend stated that the design report could be done now with the information that the city has provided to them. Supervisor Carleton asked if one new blower was purchased and put into use, could the new blower be used 12 months of the year rather than what is currently being done where one blower is used for 6 months and then another blower used 6 months. Mr. Friend stated that there is a requirement to have redundancy so it is possible to write a report that would show this ability to meet the regulations to the IEPA.

Alderman Withers made the motion to approve Item #3 which is the MPDS permit for $5,000 and the infiltration study for $48,000 to be paid out of Rebuild Illinois funds. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Withers stated a bid was received from G.A. Rich to replace and install the valves that were approved to be replaced last month. Alderman Withers made the motion to approve the G.A. Rich proposal for the installation of valves to be paid from Rebuild Illinois for $30,000. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried

Street Supervisor Houtzel said that currently they are working on sink holes and pot holes in town. Recently they fixed a sink hole over on Meridian that they are hoping will help out water issues in several areas.

PUBLIC SAFETY – ALDERMAN PACEY 

Chief Cornett reported the property at 640 E. Patton has had the asbestos removed and the house should be able to be removed soon. The property on 325 E. Chestnut is still going through the court process. He further reported that the School Resource Officer started full time on 2/22/22 at the school.

CITY PROPERTY – ALDERMAN EVANS 

Mayor Ingold reported that there will be a meeting tomorrow morning with Farnsworth for a pre construction meeting about the streetscape project. All business owners will be notified of the updates. Alan Meyer asked if businesses can be notified more than 72 hours in advance of the sidewalks being removed to help prepare their customers. The mayor stated that they are working to communicate with business owners as much as possible to prevent issues for their customers. Mayor Ingold commended the city workers for all their work on removing the 18” of snow.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE – ALDERMAN GEIKEN Alderman Geiken stated that he will be looking for some assistance with getting the zoning changes started. A Zoning/Planning meeting needs to be scheduled. In order to have these meetings it will be necessary to follow the time guidelines for notices.

COMMUNITY – ALDERMAN HOEDEBECKE 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – ALDERMAN COX 

Discuss and Approve Redevelopment Agreement with Mark Rust and Paxton Wash Barn – Mark Rust attended the meeting and introduced himself. He stated he owns the Wash Barn in Gibson City and that he is hoping to have the Paxton Wash Barn up and running by the end of March or the beginning of April. Redevelopment agreement is for $10,000 a year for five years. Alderman Pacey made the motion to approve Ordinance 22-01 for the Redevelopment Agreement with Mark Rust and the Paxton Wash Barn. Alderman Cox seconded the motion.

Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried

Chamber President Alan Meyer asked how much longer is available for the TIF funds. Mayor Ingold thought that there are several years remaining. Mayor Ingold will set up a meeting to review time remaining, money remaining and what is currently being used. Mayor Ingold will set up a meeting with Tony Schuering to review the current TIF projects.

LONG TERM PLANNING- ALDERMAN CRUTCHER 

OTHER 

Alan Meyer representing the Swine and Dine committee attended the meeting. He has asked for a donation from the council as has been given in the past. Tracy Lawrence is going to be the headliner main event attraction. Saturday, September 17th will be the date for the Swine and Dine this year.

Alderman Withers motioned to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Cox seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:03pm.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/514/03-08-2022-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF