Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met July 12.

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 7:02 p.m.

Roll call showed the following aldermen in attendance: Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. 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, Tony Scheuring, and members of the audience and Will Brumleve,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

Discuss and A #373,221.86 is the 4th payment for the streetscape project to Iroquois Paving. Change request made 19953.04 to 42363.46

Tammy reports still in the audit process. Alderman Evans asked about the 600 block of East Center to help clear an issue

PUBLIC WORKS – ALDERMAN WITHERS

Water Supervisor Carleton reports that they continue to change out 6-8 meters a day so that continues to move along as scheduled. He also reports that he has received information about the

blowers and it may take up to a year to get the process completed but that is moving as much as possible.

PUBLIC SAFETY – ALDERMAN PACEY

Central Illinois Land Bank will have an executive session later this month to consider the City of Paxton’s request to become a member.

July 4th– great turnout and there was a booth set up by the police department.

CITY PROPERTY – ALDERMAN EVANS

A meeting was held on June 21st, 2022. Alderman Evans advised that the committee recommendation is to budget $100,000 toward new equipment to be placed at Pells Park and Bixby Park with existing equipment to be repurposed at Nelson Field. Mayor Ingold spoke to a gentleman who looked over the existing equipment at Pells Park and he made the recommendation to not move a couple of items as it may destroy the equipment so possibly getting new equipment for Nelson.

Member of the audience mentioned that frisbee golf is something gaining popularity right now. Alderman Pacey stated that he feels Pells Park needs to be the showcase park to be comparable to other area towns but he understands the need to consider all our parks.

Total cost just a shade over $100,000. Equipment takes approximately 30 weeks to build and deliver and is made in Pennsylvania. The cost for the company to assemble is 40% of the cost so the city will have its employees assemble to lessen the installation costs. Member of the audience voiced a concern over a nail that was loose in the bleacher seating at a t-ball game behind Nelson Field. He was advised that we appreciate his information and someone will be sent out to look at it tomorrow and to not hesitate in the future to call city hall to report problems like that in the future so they can be addressed. Alderman Wilson made the motion

The mayor sent out a rendering picture of a Welcome Sign to be installed on City Property on South Market by Casey’s. The Paxton Chamber of Commerce will be purchasing and donating the sign. Alderman Evans made the motion to allow the installation

Mayor Ingold requested that a meeting be set to consider installing something in recognition and remembrance of Former Mayor Jim Kingston. Meeting set for July 26th at 7:15pm

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE – ALDERMAN GEIKEN; Dallas Glazik spoke to request approval for a Class C Liquor License. He states that they have now received federal approval.

Lisa Allen spoke to request approval for a Class E Liquor License. Alderman Pacey suggested we review the variance going forward

Mayor Ingold

Rachel spoke to request a review of a proposal regarding having chicken in her backyard. She stated that she is not asking for a change in the ordinance but rather will be requesting a variance be made for her alone. Alderman Wilson asked if she spoke to all people within 150 feet of her residence and she stated that she did. Attorney Marc Miller suggested that the council poll themselves and if they are supportive of it, then he would work on the paperwork to make that happen. Alderman Evans then asked if approved for one person would this then open up a can of worms if other people wanted to request the approval as well. Alderman Pacey stated he has a difficulty with calling this a variance. Atty Marc Miller stated that you might make this a special use permit but that he would look into the options. Alderman Crutcher stated he would support a special use permit or a change in the variance. He then asked Rachel how many people she thought might be interested in raising chickens in their yard. She surveyed several local towns and found that on average, approximately 5 people per town might be interested. Alderman Pacey stated that the equitable solution would be . Alderman Wilson stated he respected that Rachel went and spoke to her neighbors and would agree with a special use permit or a change in the ordinance if necessary. Alderman Evans and Geiken stated they are both opposed to a special use permit or ordinance change. Alderman Crutcher, Wilson are supportive of a special use or ordinance. Alderman Hoedebecke stated he understands both sides. Alderman Pacey believed that an ordinance could be drafted that everyone would agree with however if there were problems with it, it would be the council members that will need to be willing to listen to complaints. Alderman Pacey recommended it be taken to committee and get the feedback from the LPZI committee members. Atty Marc Miller will then follow up to look at the ordinance and consider changes.

COMMUNITY – ALDERMAN HOEDEBECKE

Mayor Ingold stated that the city was approached about an electronic cleanup. A gentleman stated he would charge to take items for a price per piece. Prices per item ranged from $1 to $10. Alderman Wilson and Geiken stated that they liked the idea and the specifics will be shared with Will Brumleve to get the information posted in the paper and on the Facebook page.

Joe spoke to the lights that are being placed as part of the Streetscape Project. Some of the lights are being delayed until the end of October. The controller will be here. Alderman Evans asked why some of the lights were placed right in front of some business entrances. Joe stated that an electrical engineer looked and set up the placement.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – ALDERMAN COX

Will Glazik spoke from Silver Tree Beer and Spirits stated that they are working on hvac, plumbing, tuckpointing, boiler, electrical work, awning totaling approximately $99,000 in repair costs. Atty Tony Scheuring spoke about total reimbursement of $40,000 with the first $15,000 being given. Mr. Scheuring stated that this is a win-win for the city. Alderman Wilson made the motion to approve the Redevelopment

LONG TERM PLANNING- ALDERMAN CRUTCHER

No meeting

OTHER BUSINESS

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 8:09 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). Motion seconded by Pacey. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. Seven ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Wilson investigated the changes needed to change the pay to the mayor. Alderman Wilson found out that mayoral pay could be changed but wouldn’t take effect until next term. Alderman Pacey stated that asking someone to work full-time hours for something that is meant to be a part-time position. Many communities have worked to create a City Administrator position whose responsibility is to take on the supervision of employees, budgeting and day to day operations. The person would likely have a master’s degree. Alderman Pacey stated we are between two options. We could raise the salary of the mayor for future term to make the position more desirable.

Atty Marc Miller stated that if there is a consideration for a new position, it would need to be discussed in open session. Discussion about how to create a city administrator position or to make the mayor’s salary more attractable.

Mayor stated that he has been working approximately 40 hours per week. Atty Miller suggested that a committee meeting be set up to discuss and look at city administrator positions in the area and what the responsibilities are for that position. Alderman Pacey stated he would be interested in hearing what other communities think

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/524/07-12-2022-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF