Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met May 10.

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 7:02 p.m.

Roll call showed the following aldermen in attendance: Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Alderman Hoedebecke arrived later. Also, in attendance were Mayor Bill Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Police Chief Cornett, Water/Sewer Supervisor Bob Carleton, Street/Alley Supervisor Jesse Houtzel and members of the audience and press.

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 April Council meeting. Alderman Withers stated that one correction was needed and that was that he abstained in the vote to approve the donation to the Swine and Dine since he was on the committee for that event. Updated vote should be six ayes, one abstention. Alderman Cox motioned to accept the minutes. 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 claim for EIEC. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Six ayes, motion carried.

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

TREASURER’S REPORT AND INVESTMENT REGISTER

The reports have been emailed to all Aldermen. Alderman Cox made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report and Investment Register. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. All approved on a voice vote.

FINANCE/BUDGET – ALDERMAN WILSON

Alderman Wilson stated that it is time to review the annual appropriation ordinance to true up the figures for what was actually spent. Alderman Wilson reviewed the adjusted amounts and stated that they looked appropriate. Alderman Wilson made the motion to approve the amended annual appropriations ordinance 22-03. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Six ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Wilson stated the second item was to approve the next payment to Iroquois Paving for the Streetscape Project. Alderman Wilson made the motion to approve the payment of $165,560.57 to Iroquois Paving. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Wilson did ask to go into Executive Session at the end of regular items and stated he would make that motion later. Comptroller Jensen mentioned that she received a bridge insurance renewal that would be sent out to the council later this week in a register entry. She stated this is an annual payment.

Alderman Pacey asked if we have started budgeting yet and Comptroller Jensen stated that she is starting the process at this time.

PUBLIC WORKS – ALDERMAN WITHERS

Discuss and Approve Hiring of ICE Students for Summer Help and Next School Year. – Alderman Withers made the motion to hire 2 ICE students for next year. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Wilson, and Withers. Abstention – Pacey. Six ayes, one abstention, motion carried.

Alderman Wilson asked what is being budgeted for these positions. Two positions paid minimum wage for approx. 24 hours through school year and full-time during summer.

Discuss and Approve Purchase of Equipment at Sewer Plant. Farnsworth bid is $265,000 and this includes installation and EPA permits. Gasvoda Inc. provided a bid of approximately $174,000 but this did not include installation, permits and some additional items. Water/Sewer Supervisor Carleton stated that Farnsworth is most familiar with the system and how it works. Alderman Pacey asked how much was remaining in the American Rescue Act funds. Comptroller Jensen stated that there is currently $235,000 and the city should get an additional $265,000. Alderman Pacey stated that he feels that there is some merit to buying two diffuser blowers now before they go up in price. Based on the amount of work that will be needed to arrange the footprint for the blowers, it would be better to do this all at once and to go ahead and do both blowers at one time. Alderman Pacey made the motion to approve to pay Farnsworth for payment for two blowers using ARPA funds not to exceed $530,000 for those with installation with the residual cost to come from Rebuild Illinois money. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Discuss and Approve MFT Program Proposal Packet that will be sent out for IDOT approval for release of funds. Jesse stated that there are seven blocks on various streets in town that will be paved. Alderman Wilson made the motion to approve the MFT program Proposal Packet to be sent out to IDOT for approval. Alderman Hoedebecke seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Water bills were sent out this month by Heather and she highlighted the water meter reminder for customers to call to have their meters changed out. The office has been busy doing 15-20 water meter change outs a day.

PUBLIC SAFETY – ALDERMAN PACEY

Alderman Pacey stated that there is a driveway on 146 W. State and that he would like to allow the Police Chief and Street Supervisor to line the driveway to prevent parking. Alderman Pacey then stated that the next two items are up for discussion but an actual vote could be held off until the June Meeting. Guest Speaker Ashley Geiken stated that she would like consideration for a stop sign in this area due to the number of children playing at the park, cross country team running in this area and a large amount of traffic in this area. Alderman Pacey stated that he was not wanting to rush the stop sign approval process as may have occurred last month with a stop sign review for Summer St. but if everyone was ready to consider a motion it would be accepted. Alderman Wilson laughed and agreed that the process was rushed last month and then made the motion for these stop signs. Alderman Wilson motioned to approve placement of stop signs at East Orleans and South High Street (on Orleans Street) and East Orleans and South Winter Street (on Orleans Street). Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Chief Cornett wrote a letter of commendation for Officer Stewart Stafford for multiple drug cases he has worked on to uncover almost 170g of cocaine and approximately $1000 in cash. There have been multiple theft and burglary cases solved as a result of his work.

Alderman Pacey stated that there will be a meeting on May 18th with the Central Illinois Land Bank. There are approximately 22 properties and the mayor will send out the information to the council alderman this week. This will be a working list and not a public list at this time.

CITY PROPERTY – ALDERMAN EVANS

Arbor Day was celebrated and three trees were planted in memory of Gary Popel, Former Mayor James Kingston and Dr. Pitch. Alderman Pacey is continuing to work with citizens interested in getting street trees and if they are willing to pay a portion of the cost, they may move up on the list.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE – ALDERMAN GEIKEN; Discuss and Approve Recommendations from Planning and Zoning Commission for Rezoning of 335 S Market (B3-R3), 343 S Market (B3-R3), 95 E. Ottawa (M1 – R3), 101 W Ottawa (R3-B3), & 111 W Ottawa (R3-B3). Alderman Geiken motioned to approve the recommendations from the LPZI committee. Alderman Cox seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

No meeting is set for June yet for the next LPZI meeting. Mayor Ingold will reach out to Brandon Magers to set a date.

COMMUNITY – ALDERMAN HOEDBECKE

No meeting

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – ALDERMAN COX

No meeting

LONG TERM PLANNING- ALDERMAN CRUTCHER

No meeting

OTHER

Renewal for Flavel Heyman, Nancy Dewey and Rick Peers to the Library Board. Alaina Keif is leaving the board and they are asking to add Amanda Avery to the Library. Alderman Wilson made the motion to approve the Mayor’s Appointments and Renewals to the Library Board. Alderman Hoedebecke seconded the motion. All approved on a voice vote.

Alderman Pacey asked to extend condolences to the family of Tim Johnson, a long-time state representative and US Congressman and Parkland Trustee.

At 7:49 pm Alderman Wilson made the motion to enter into Executive Session for the limited purpose of discussing appointment, employment and/or city compensation of one or more city employees, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)(2). Motion seconded by Hoedebecke. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Regular Session resumed at 7:58 pm.

Alderman Wilson motioned to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Hoedebecke seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:59 pm.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/518/05-10-2022-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF