Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met April 12.

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 7:03 p.m.

Roll call showed the following aldermen in attendance: Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, 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.

MINUTES

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

Alderman Withers made a motion to approve the EIEC bill. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Evans, Geiken, 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 Cox seconded the motion. All approved on a voice vote.

FINANCE/BUDGET – ALDERMAN WILSON

Discuss and Approve donation to the Paxton Swine and Dine – Alderman Wilson stated that traditionally the city has donated $6000 to the event. Alderman Wilson suggested that in the future we ask for a rough estimate on how much tax revenue this event brings in to the city.

Alderman Wilson made the motion to make the $6000 donation to Swine and Dine. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Alderman Pacey wondered if the Champaign Economic group might be able to conduct a study in the future. Comptroller Jensen stated that she can look at hotel/motel tax information to see if this would help answer the question for next year. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Discuss and Approve Opening Checking Account for CDBG Streetscape. Alderman Wilson made the motion to open a checking account for CDBG Streetscape at Frederick Bank. The account needs to be non-interest bearing and funds are for very limited purposes. This is required by the state as part of the requirements for the old loan program. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Discuss and Approve the March pay estimate from Farnsworth and/or Iroquois Paving. Alderman Pacey made the motion to pay Farnsworth $20,467.01 and $5,155.50, and to pay Iroquois Paving the estimate of $74,758.06. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Report from TIF Attorney – Tony Schuering, attorney from Springfield. Mr. Schuering wanted to speak about the TIF. Generally, it has a 35-year life span and we are currently in the 10th year. The progress/growth of the TIF has been very good. There are 3 main components of the TIF. Most of the projects are within the downtown area with some out by the interstate. The largest project was the Cobblestone Hotel. Alderman Wilson asked for a basic overview of how the TIF project. TIF is not a tax increase, it is not another form of government. TIF works to promote growth in the community. The goal is that the property values will increase as a result of people investing in their properties as more business is brought into those areas. TIF cannot build a building or pay salaries. If there is a house in a TIF area, the owner of that property could approach the council and request financial assistance for improvements such as windows or siding. The city needs to have a TIF meeting every year so a joint review meeting will be set up in Paxton for late summer/fall 2022. Alderman Pacey asked if there is any focus on changing the TIF going forward from a legislative standpoint. The major change may be in focusing on results on job development and job creation and how the TIF is helping to meet these goals/purposes.

PUBLIC WORKS – ALDERMAN WITHERS

Discuss and Approve MFT Projects for FY23 – Street Supervisor Houtzel and Mayor Ingold went around the city and tried to prioritize the roads needing attention in the city. Alderman Withers made the motion to approve spending up to $233,000 for MFT work for FY23. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Discuss and Approve Maintenance/Repair work at the Wastewater Treatment Plant – Bid from G.A. Rich for $23,400 for underground pipe and this bid is good for 30 days only. East/West Clarifier for the diffusers bid was $24,300 for the east clarifier and $22,100 for the west clarifier. The city would need to supply 180 feet of pipe. Kaufman Welding provided an estimate of $46,520.56 for catwalks repairs and this could be a health/life/safety issue if not repaired. Sewer/Waste Supervisor Carleton states that if we can improve the air leaks that this may help preserve the life on the diffusers. Rebuild Illinois and American Rescue Act money is available to take care of these issues without impacting the general fund. Alderman Withers asked if the pipe is readily available and Supervisor Carleton stated that there may be a backorder on the piping but that approving the bid would lock in the price. Alderman Pacey made the motion to approve the maintenance/repairs on the waste water treatment plant not to exceed $175,000 from the American Rescue Act funds. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. Alderman Wilson commented that he understands the necessity of getting these repairs made as soon as possible however he advised he would be voting no as he would prefer to see the information/amounts be better prepared. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Withers. Nay – Wilson. Six ayes, one nay, motion carried.

Street Supervisor Houtzel reported that the storm drains will be cleaned over the next three weeks. Additionally, the mayor, Street Supervisor and Water Supervisor visited Gibson City to discuss a possibility of the cities working together to purchase items in bulk to save money and share costs.

PUBLIC SAFETY – ALDERMAN PACEY

Discuss and Approve Stop Sign at Summer St. and Park St. (on Summer Street) – Currently there is a yield sign at this section and there is a large area without a stop sign – almost 2000 feet. This would help slow down traffic by the cemetery as well as by the baseball field and school. Alderman Wilson asked about possibly removing the stop sign at Summer and High Street. Chief Cornett said that he would keep that stop sign as well or another large area of road would allow traffic to have another 2000 feet to travel at higher speeds. Alderman Pacey made the motion to place a stop sign at Summer St. and Park St. (on Summer Street). Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Withers. Nay – Wilson. Six ayes, one nay, motion carried.

Discuss and Approve Purchase of Squad Car – money has always been used from seizure fees to purchase a car. In the last few years there has been a 33% decrease in these fees. Chief Cornett is asking the city to contribute $25,000 toward the purchase of a car. While the money is currently available to cover the complete cost of the car it would completely wipeout the amount in the rollover balance. Alderman Evans asked if the city couldn’t just split the cost evenly. The total cost of the car is $59,352.00. Alderman Wilson motioned to contribute $30,000 toward the purchase of a new squad car. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Hoping to have a committee meeting next month with Central Illinois Land Bank Authority. The Central Illinois Land Bank Authority is based out of Decatur and they have federal funding that helps take the burden off smaller municipalities with acquiring or possibly destroying properties.

CITY PROPERTY – ALDERMAN EVANS

Alderman Evans mentioned that the property on 640 E Patton was taken down and several people have commented how nice it looks. Property on Fulton St is still locked up in bankruptcy court. Alderman Evans asked for the status on the Patton St property and there are now liens on the property for the costs that the city incurred with removing the asbestos and destroying the home.

Mike Bryant, structural engineer from the Farnsworth Group was present. A vault was found on the south side of state street that was a potential structural issue. Additionally, some window wells were found that had been buried in the past. Mr. Bryant was brought in to discuss how to deal with these items. The plan was considered to do a little backfill. A range of options were provided to the contractor. Some areas were just covered up with old plywood, some were filled with concrete block. The recommendation was made to do something more to provide more support. With the exception of the vault, the window wells have been backfilled. Another recommendation was to do some bracing and some of that has been done by putting in a form and then fill in as needed. Everything appears to have been completed successfully. One item still not done is the vault. The contractor will put up a form/bulkhead and brace it from the inside with CLSM placed to limit the load on the walls. The mayor stated that there will be a little extra expense as a result of these issues but a contingency fund was created for just these types of issues. Alderman Pacey asked if the water seals were added and the mayor was not sure but stated he would follow up and check. Alderman Pacey stated that he felt that this was important to do to ensure that the streetscape project does not add a new issue for business owners. Alderman Evans asked about the sound system and due to all the work being done, the sound system will need to be located on the West Side.

The mayor stated that there will be some work done on the dormers at Pells Park. Reminder needs to be put out to please clean up after your pets if you walk them at the park as more people are using the park as the weather improves.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE

Alderman Geiken stated that the city had posted notice about proposed zoning changes for five properties in the city and he opened the addresses up for public review. No one from those addresses was present. Alderman Geiken made the motion to continue the hearing for rezoning for the regular public meeting on May 10, 2022 and that we include approving the ordinance on the agenda. Alderman Cox seconded the motion. Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

The mayor stated he was approached about a new Class C Liquor license. The mayor asked if there would be food served and the person said no, just gaming machines and liquor. The aldermen stated that they would be open to listening to someone willing to share their information about the plans for a liquor license. At this time there are not any open/available Class C liquor licenses.

Comptroller Jensen asked if there was a meeting planned for the LPZI committee coming up as May would be busy and there are notices that need to be sent out and it is time consuming. The mayor spoke about a request made by the LPZI committee to call each person impacted by a zoning change. Some of the issues of doing this would be locating phone numbers and the sheer volume of people that would need to be contacted. Alderman Pacey stated that we will make every possible attempt to notify affected properties via paper notices and letters. Alderman Pacey stated that he would suggest that this discussion be postponed until June to determine the scale of notifications that will need to be made on the next group of proposed changes.

COMMUNITY – ALDERMAN HOEDBECKE

The mayor stated that the electric rate aggregation will be with Ameren as their rates are the most competitive at this time.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – ALDERMAN COX

Discuss and Approve Redevelopment Agreement with Ruby Jewel – Atty Schuering spoke about a redevelopment agreement being proposed with Ruby Jewel through the TIF agreement. $25,000 is the total amount being proposed for windows and work to the façade. $15,000 will be paid out up front and then there will be two more payments over the next two years of $5,000. Ramonna Williams, co-owner of Ruby Jewel was present for the meeting. Alderman Geiken made the motion to approve Ordinance 22-02 for the Redevelopment Agreement with Ruby Jewel for $25,000. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Jeremiah Delaney from Country Closeouts is moving his business to Paxton. He has purchased Jeff’s Custom Exhaust Building and will be moving his business in the upcoming months. Dale Houston spoke about the tanks that have been removed at the G&S service area.

LONG TERM PLANNING- ALDERMAN CRUTCHER

No meeting held.

OTHER

Knights of Columbus will be collecting on April 29th and 30th to help toward the expenses of the swimming pool.

Alderman Withers motioned to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:34 pm.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/515/04-12-2022-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF