Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met June 14.

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, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Wilson. Also, in attendance were Mayor Bill Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Police Chief Cornett, Water/Sewer Supervisor Bob Carleton, Street/Alley Supervisor Jesse Houtzel, Attorney Marc Miller, Mike Friend, 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 May Council meeting. Alderman Geiken motioned to accept the minutes. Aldermen Cox 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 Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Wilson. Six ayes, motion carried.

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

FINANCE/BUDGET – ALDERMAN WILSON 

Alderman Wilson stated that the first two items on the agenda will be discussed during executive session prior to any vote. Discuss and Approve the May pay estimate from Farnsworth and/or Iroquois Paving – Alderman Wilson stated that the Comptroller sent out updated information today and that amount is $174,713.82 to be paid to Iroquois Paving. Alderman Evans asked about why the increased cost is being provided to the city since Farnsworth was made aware of the issues below the sidewalk project. The Farnsworth representative stated that the vaults uncovered during the streetscape project have been all shapes and sizes so they are not able to account for the differences in the preliminary work. Alderman Wilson made the motion to approve the change order and pay request form for Iroquois Paving for the amount of $174,713.82. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Wilson. Six ayes, motion carried.

Comptroller Jensen stated that the audit will begin the 27th of the month. This will be the first audit with a new auditing team.

PUBLIC WORKS – ALDERMAN WITHERS 

Discuss and Approve Bid Opening of MFT Project – Mayor Ingold stated that the Iroquois Paving estimate came in and the new estimate is higher than the funds available so the city must consider its options to reduce the amount. Currently there is $216,000 in the MFT balance and that is about $20,000 short of the low bid that was opened this morning. After reviewing with Street Supervisor Houtzel, Park Terrace could be removed from the list and done next year. Alderman Pacey stated that his only thought is that potentially the costs may not decrease year over year so there may still be high costs next year. Alderman Evans then asked about possibly doing concrete on Park Terrace. Alderman Wilson suggested that we take Park Terrace out of the bid and then consider our options. Alderman Wilson made the motion to approve the bid from Iroquois Paving with Park Terrace removed from the work list with payment not to exceed $180,000. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Wilson. Six ayes, motion carried.

Mike Friend discussed the I&I study and there are five proposed areas where flow meters can be set to complete the study. Data will be collected for about one month. Mike Friend also stated that they have determined that they will be able to incorporate one existing blower into the current system at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Water/Sewer Supervisor Carleton reported that since May 1st, 313 meters have been changed out and there are now approximately 400-450 left to be changed out. Street Supervisor Houtzel reported that the city will begin misting for mosquitoes next week.

PUBLIC SAFETY – ALDERMAN PACEY 

Alderman Pacey stated that there was an informational meeting back at the end of May regarding the Central Illinois Land Bank. Alderman Pacey stated that membership with the Land Bank allows the city to determine what components of the land bank that the city is interested in. Alderman Pacey stated that this would simply be property maintenance. It is not something like the ordinances that the police follow. The code enforcement officer has the authority to say these are the violations of the property maintenance code and then homeowners can either make changes or explain the changes that they are able to get completed. The code officer is paid $35 per hour plus mileage and he/she would follow the Property Code manual. Alderman Crutcher asked if this is to replace our city ordinances or if it is a supplement. Alderman Pacey stated that it would not replace our existing ordinances. Alderman Crutcher asked about items such as weed/grass height that is duplicated in the International Property Maintenance Code. Alderman Pacey stated that this Property Code is meant more for the actual property where houses are possibly uninhabitable, holes in the roof, potential hazards. The mayor states that this allows one person who is trained and certified in the International Property Maintenance Code be the point of contact with education and knowledge for issues with actual property and what is/is not inhabitable. Alderman Crutcher asked if the city had to adopt the code in whole or could we choose parts to use. Alderman Pacey stated that it is not necessary to adopt the whole code however the process to write up the new codes for what the city does not utilize would be time consuming. Alderman Pacey stated that if someone is given a violation from the code officer then they will receive a notice with pictures of the infraction as well as a date to appear in order to appeal. Alderman Pacey stated that in this case the Board of Appeals committee would be the city council. He further stated that a property owner could come before the council and hear the appeal and make their case. Alderman Pacey made the motion to approve Ordinance 22-05 to adopt the International Property Maintenance Code and appoint a code officer who will be paid $35 an hour plus mileage. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Wilson. Six ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Pacey then began the discussion on a donation to be made to the CILBA. He stated that this money could be used for grant matching. The city microloan fund currently has a $72,994 balance. Alderman Wilson asked if this money could then be used for something like matching funds and would be managed through the Central Illinois Land Bank Authority. They would then provide assistance with grant writing. Alderman Pacey made the motion to potentially donate $35,000, if CILBA membership acceptance is approved, to the CILBA from the microloan budget line item. Alderman Cox seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Wilson. Six ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Pacey stated that no intergovernmental agreement is needed to be part of the Central Illinois Land Bank but rather there is an application process. Alderman Wilson motioned to approve the mayor to apply for the CILBA membership. Alderman Cox seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Wilson. Six ayes, motion carried.

Chief Cornett mentioned that the Special Olympics torch run will take place on Thursday, June 16th with the runners and cyclists coming through Paxton.

CITY PROPERTY – ALDERMAN EVANS 

The mayor asked for a committee meeting to be called to discuss play equipment for Pells Park and Bixby Park. A meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 21st at 7pm. Basic repairs have been done on various toys at the park but there remains a need to change out and update some of the equipment.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE – ALDERMAN GEIKEN; Alderman Geiken spoke to Brandon Magers and he will be providing us a date for the next rezoning meeting. The mayor stated that he would like to take a few minutes to explain to the zoning board what the intention of the changes and their role in the process of this rezoning process should be and the authority they hold.

COMMUNITY – ALDERMAN HOEDBECKE 

Fourth of July fireworks will take place this year in Paxton. The Chamber of Commerce is also working on finding additional food vendors for the celebration in the park.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – ALDERMAN COX 

No meeting

LONG TERM PLANNING- ALDERMAN CRUTCHER 

No meeting

OTHER BUSINESS 

EXECUTIVE SESSION 

At 8:17 pm Alderman Wilson made the motion to enter into Executive Session for the limited purpose of discussing appointment, employment and/or compensation of one or more city employees, pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1)(2)(5). Motion seconded by Pacey. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Wilson. Six ayes, motion carried.

Regular Session resumed at 9:09 pm.

Alderman Wilson made the motion to approve the recently approved Teamsters contract 22-06. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Wilson. Six ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Wilson made the motion to approve for non-union city employees a salary increase of 4%, add Christmas Eve as a paid Holiday, change comp time accrual from 40- 50 hour maximum, increase water/sewer to .96 and .24 for street department licenses, and increase clothing allowance to $500. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Pacey, and Wilson. Six ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Pacey motioned to adjourn the meeting and Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:12 pm.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/525/06-14-2022-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF