Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met Oct. 26.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Adjourned 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, Pacey, and Withers. Aldermen Geiken, Hoedebecke and Wilson were absent. Also, in attendance were Mayor Bill Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Police Chief Cornett, Water/Sewer Supervisor Bob Carleton, Street/Alley Supervisor Jesse Houtzel, TIF Attorney Tony Schuering, Justin and Courtney Bouse and members of the audience and press.

The mayor led the meeting in the recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Ingold stated that since this was an Adjourned meeting, they would skip approving the Minutes of the last meeting, the List of Claims, and the Treasurers Report and Investment Register.

CITY PROPERTY – ALDERMAN EVANS

Alderman Evans said the only thing on the Adjourned Agenda for this evening was: Consideration of, and action on, a Resolution entitled “A Resolution authorizing attorneys for the City of Paxton to access certain real property within the corporate boundaries of the City of Paxton in relation to the City’s eminent domain powers, and other actions in connection therewith.”

TIF Attorney Tony Schuering said this resolution doesn’t start any court proceedings or filing suit, all it does is allow Schuering to be able to come back to the Council with either a justification for or against exercising the City’s eminent domain powers.

Under Section 4 of the TIF Act, the City is given authority to acquire property for use in redevelopment within the TIF boundaries. He said what is important is what facts did you consider when you authorized the filing of an eminent domain complaint.

Alderman Evans made a motion to Approve RESOLUTION 22-001, A Resolution authorizing attorneys for the City of Paxton to access certain real property within the corporate boundaries of the City of Paxton in relation to the City’s eminent Domain Powers, and other actions connection therewith. Alderman Cox seconded the motion. Roll call: ayes Aldermen Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Pacey and Withers. All Ayes, motion carried.

Mayor Ingold stated he skipped over Budget, Public Works and Public Safety because they were already discussed on October 11th at the Regular Monthly City Council Meeting.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – ALDERMAN COX

Alderman Cox said on the agenda for this evening is Consideration of, and action on, an Ordinance entitled “An Ordinance approving a Redevelopment Agreement that pertains to certain real property located at 110 South Market Street, authorizing execution thereof, and other actions in connection therewith.”

Mayor Ingold stated that this Ordinance is for Designer Dog Salon, across the street. He introduced the owners of the business, Justin and Courtney Bouse.

Mr. Bouse stated that they have plans to renovate the upstairs so they can live above the business. They also want to improve the building and windows.

Mayor Ingold stated that the Bouse’s invited him to tour the building. Ingold stated the windows are old, probably there from when the building was built, but they are not sure exactly when that was. They have also already replaced the steps to the entrance of building and the Bouse’s would also like to replace the awning.

Mayor Ingold stated that we are waiting on a time schedule on what upgrades The Bouse’s would like to start first. TIF Attorney Schuering stated that the only thing he would like to add is that they have started including the façade easements in the Redevelopment agreements to keep the cultural significance of the Downtown area. The agreement is for $40,000.00 over a 5-year period.

Mayor Ingold stated there are many improvements that can already be seen in the 100 block of North Market Street with the opening of the new Wine Room, Paxton Mercantile Building, Ruby Jewel has gotten their awning up, and the Arcade will soon. Ingold said there are 5 other businesses interested, one residential that was approved at the last meeting and 2 more residences that want to be included as well. He is very proud of how everything is looking.

Alderman Withers made a motion to Approve ORDINANCE 22-20 An Ordinance approving a Redevelopment Agreement that pertains to certain real property located at 110 South Market Street, authorizing execution thereof, and other actions in connection therewith. Alderman Evans seconded the motion. Roll call: ayes – Aldermen Cox, Crutcher, Evans, Pacey and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Mayor Ingold stated that he and Alderman Pacey sat in on an informative zoom meeting regarding license plate readers and on November 1st, there will be a zoom meeting to discuss the Flock License plate readers here at City Hall. He also stated the next City Council meeting will be at 7:00 pm on November 8th and prior to the meeting there will be a Community Committee meeting at 6:00 pm.

Alderman Evans asked if they could briefly talk about the License Plate readers. Evans asked Justin Bouse, a Rantoul Police Officer, about the License plate readers since Rantoul has them already and been using them for a while.

Bouse stated The Village of Rantoul started using them in April 2021. He stated Flock was the best they had checked out. They went with a trial run of 12 cameras. In July, they solved the July 4th shooting where 5 were injured. Then at the end of July, the cameras helped them catch another vehicle, where they arrested 4 and took a high-powered gun off the streets.

Alderman Evans made the motion to adjourn the meeting. Alderman Withers seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:20pm.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/554/10-26-2022-Adjourned-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF