City of Paxton City Council met Sept. 13.
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, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. Also, in attendance were Mayor Bill Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Captain Chad Johnson, Water/Sewer Supervisor Bob Carleton, Street/Alley Supervisor Jesse Houtzel, Attorney Marc Miller, TIF Attorney Tony Schuering, and members of the audience and press.
The mayor led the meeting in the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Ingold asked if there were any changes, corrections or additions that needed made to the minutes from the August City Council meeting. Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve the minutes. Aldermen Cox seconded the motion. All approved on a voice vote.
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, Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. Eight ayes, motion carried.
Alderman Withers made a motion to approve the EIEC bill. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Alderman Cox, Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey and Withers. Abstain – Crutcher and Wilson. Six ayes, two abstains, motion carried.
Mayor Ingold asked if any member of the Council had any questions for the Treasurer’s Report and Investment Register. There were no questions, so 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.
Mayor Ingold asked for a motion to concur with his appointment for City Clerk, Amanda Murray. Alderman Evans made a motion to Approve the Mayor’s appointment for City Clerk. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried. Attorney Marc Miller swore Amanda Murray in as the City Clerk.
Mayor Ingold called Officer Trevor Norris, of the Paxton Police Department, forward to accept a Letter of Commendation for his hard work starting a program in the City of Paxton, specifically targeting Child Sexual Predators. Officer Norris started the program in early June 2022 and had the program online by June 26th, 2022 and within 2 months of starting the program, he has arrested 11 child sexual predators, seized 7 vehicles under article 36 and to this date, 5 of the arrestees have already pled guilty.
Alderman Wilson stated that the only item under Finance was to discuss and approve the monthly pay request from Iroquois Paving for August 2022. He stated this is for the street scape project and the total for August 2022 was $31,558.28. Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve the pay request. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson, and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.
Alderman Withers stated there is nothing on the agenda for Public Works and no meetings. Supervisor Houtzel stated they were preparing for the upcoming Swine and Dine Festival on Saturday. While Supervisor Carleton stated there had been a couple of water issues, but they had been fixed. Also, the new home being built at 1131 E. Washington Blvd has had water service established, but the sewer part is on the builders/homeowners to finish.
Carleton stated that the water issue that is taking place between Farmer’s Merchants National Bank of Illinois and the building at 119 W. Pells St. is being looked in to. He had an employee from IRWA come and try to do a leak detection on it. However, they couldn’t hear anything anywhere. Carleton stated he didn’t want to begin to dig it up this week with the Swine and Dine Festival taking place on Saturday, September 17th, hopefully the following week they will be able to find it. He really doesn’t want to ruin the new road.
Alderman Withers stated that the south block of Market St will be blocked off starting Friday evening between 7-7:30, the rest of Market will be closed down at 5 am Saturday morning for the Swine and Dine Festival.
Alderman Evans asked if anyone knows why water is standing on the newly redone Market St, at Pells, when it rains and not running off as it should. Mayor Ingold stated the Engineer’s thought it was going to be higher at the corner than it is, therefore causing the standing water.
Mayor Ingold stated the city is having tree stumps and tree work done on the east side of town. Also been working on curbs and sidewalks.
Alderman Pacey said there are a couple of items on the agenda. He stated in August Police Chief Cornett sent out information regarding seizures, etc. Pacey said the proposed additions will be ready for vote at the October 11th meeting. Captain Johnson stated that laws have changed regarding drugs and also sometimes article 36’s can be difficult to deal with so these additions will help.
Alderman Pacey added quickly that The Central Illinois Landbank has applied for a grant for Owner Occupied rehabs with safety hazards. The other item on the agenda is to discuss and approve changes to the collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police. He stated this was discussed last month and the FOP has approved it and they just need the council to approve it.
Attorney Miller asked Pacey if they have seen a specific addendum for the collective bargaining
agreement. Miller stated that if they haven’t seen the addendum that they should wait until it is seen, however he stated they can authorize the mayor to execute the addendum when ready. Alderman Pacey made a motion to authorize the Mayor to execute an addendum to the collective bargaining agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police pertaining to Section 19.3 addressing lateral transfers as presented. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.
Captain Johnson stated the new squad car is in and Officer Sink is using it. The old Squad was stripped down and cleaned from being the K-9 unit, to being the squad for the SRO Officer Brandon Ryan. Also, K-9 Officer Tago retired at the beginning of September 2022. He had been in service since 2015.
Alderman Evans stated there were no meetings, however a couple items to discuss. He stated Didier Brothers pressure washed the restrooms and sidewalk at Pells Park. Also, pressure washed the floors in the restrooms.
Mayor Ingold stated that the north end of Pells Park is quite dark so he spoke with an Ameren representative. The Ameren Rep stated there is a light pole just to the east of the Veteran’s Memorial and for no charge they will come in 75 feet and put in 2 poles and lights. It will only add about $52.00 a year to the electric bill.
Ingold stated the city is trying to get a few more bids for the soffit at the Large Pavilion and will try to have them ready for the October meeting. Also, Mayor Ingold, Comptroller/Treasurer Jensen and Sup. Houtzel hope to get together in the next week to order some new playground equipment. A DCEO grant has been applied for to help pay for the new equipment.
Alderman Geiken stated the LPZI committee has been busy and had a meeting prior to tonight’s council meeting. He stated that unfortunately there are some legal descriptions omitted from the paperwork for the rezoning of 639 N. Market St., 637 N. Market St., 635 N. Market St., 615 N.
Market St., 603 N. Market St., 210 W. Center St., 226 W. Center St., 242 W. Center St., 258 W. Center St., 235 N Taft St., and 2 Parcels on Holmes St, so they will have to wait until the October meeting to discuss and approve.
However, the Committee did approve it for change.
Alderman Geiken stated that the second item on the agenda is to discuss and approve the proposed changes to the Ordinance language related to nuisance and vacant building. However, there still needs to be some tweaking done with the language so it will also need to wait until the October meeting to discuss and approve. These two items will be added to the October Agenda.
Kristin Larson, resident of Paxton, stated she had come to the City Council back in October 2020 to ask for the Ordinance to be changed, allowing chickens. She passed information out to the members of the council for their review. It contained city laws for Buckley, Loda, Gibson City, and Champaign regarding chickens within their city limits. She asked again for the Ordinance to be reconsidered allowing residents of Paxton to own chickens.
Rachel Crutcher, resident of Paxton, stated she has also come to the Council on a couple occasions to ask for the Chicken Ordinance to be changed as well. She stated she would like the limitations to be loosened up to only 25ft from the property line and adding limitations such as no roosters or keep them enclosed at all times. She asked again for the Ordinance to be considered for change.
Alderman Hoedebecke stated there have been no meeting and nothing on the agenda. However, he stated that the Swine and Dine will be taking place this weekend.
Alderman Cox stated there was an Economic Development Meeting on August 24, 2022 and several things on the agenda. The first item is to discuss and approve an Ordinance approving a redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Paxton, Illinois and Craig and Alaina Kief, authorizing execution thereof, and other actions in the connection there with.
TIF Attorney Tony Schuering stated the first one is for Craig and Alaina Kief at 119 W. Pells St. The agreement provides a total of $20,000.00 in redevelopment assistance for improvements for the exterior. Also, as a part of the agreement itself, they get a façade easement so it ensures the “feel” of downtown will be maintained and the city will have some input as well. Craig Kief stated they want to change paint, windows, etc. and are trying to decide on the type of signage. Alderman Evans made a motion to approve Ordinance 22-12, a redevelopment agreement for Craig and Alaina Kief. Alderman Geiken seconded the motion. Roll Call: ayes – Aldermen Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.
Mayor Ingold stated the next redevelopment agreement is with Nahum Jaimes Rodriguez and the Arcade restaurant. Schuering stated the next two agreements actually operate in tandem. Rodriquez is wanting to add an awning to the front of the Arcade. And the total is estimated between $6,000-$8,000. So, the agreement is for $8,000. The next redevelopment agreement with Nahum and Silvia Rodriquez, is to add an awning to the building next to the Arcade. The first awning will read Arcade, the second will read Banquet Hall.
Alderman Withers made a motion to Approve Ordinance 22-13 an Ordinance approving a redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Paxton, Illinois and Nahum Jaimes Rodriguez, authorizing execution thereof, and other actions in connection therewith. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll Call: Aldermen Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.
Alderman Withers mad a motion to Approve Ordinance 22-14 an Ordinance approving a redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Paxton, Illinois and Nahum and Silvia Rodriguez, authorizing execution thereof, and other actions in connection therewith. Alderman Cox seconded the motion. Roll Call: Aldermen Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.
TIF Attorney Schuering stated John Stevens, owner of the Krog Uptown, will be making significant changes to the business, inside and out. Schuering said that this redevelopment agreement has something the others don’t, the City has a say as to how the façade will look and also a new façade easement. The Krog Uptown updates will cost between $90,000 - $100,000, so over a 5-year period, John Stevens will receive $40,000 in equal payments of $8,000 each year.
Alderman Evans stated The Krog Uptown is now under new management.
Alderman Evans made a motion to Approve Ordinance 22-15 Ordinance approving a redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Paxton, Illinois and John Stevens, authorizing execution thereof, and other actions in connection therewith. Alderman Hoedebecke seconded the motion. Roll Call: Aldermen Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Geiken, Hoedebecke, Pacey, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.
Mayor Ingold stated that hopefully the City will have our first residential redevelopment agreement soon.
Mayor Ingold said Paxton Mercantile is going to open Friday September 16th. It is operated by Kim Grove. He stated there are a lot of different things there, so everyone should check it out.
Alderman Crutcher stated there have been no Long-Term Planning meetings and nothing on the agenda, however, the Council had approved a water infiltration survey and wanted to make sure that is still being looked at.
Alderman Wilson made a motion to adjourn at 7:52 pm. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried.
https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/541/09-13-2022-City-Council-Meeting-Minute-PDF
Alerts Sign-up