Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met June 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The adjourned meeting of the Paxton City Council was held on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 7:00pm in the City Council Chambers.

Mayor Ingold called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

Roll call showed the following Aldermen in attendance: Cox, Evans, Geiken, Larson, Pacey, Reinhart, Wilson and Withers. Also in attendance were Mayor Bill Ingold, Treasurer/Comptroller Tammy Jensen, Police Chief Cornett, Attorney Marc Miller, Water/sewer Supervisor Bob Carleton, Street/Alley Supervisor Jesse Houtzel, and members of the audience.

FINANCE/BUDGET – ALDERMAN WILSON

Alderman Wilson asked to move the topic of non-union employee salaries to executive session after the regular Council meeting

PUBLIC WORKS – ALDERMAN WITHERS

Joe Grimm from Farnsworth Group reported on the bids for the MTF project. The project was advertised for bids for three consecutive weeks, and only one bid was received today.

Iroquois Paving Corporation offered a bid of $196,668.94, which was just over 3% higher than the estimated cost. Alderman Withers motioned to approve the MFT bid. Alderman Wilson seconded. Roll Call, Ayes - Cox, Geiken, Larson, Pacey, Reinhart, Wilson and Withers. Abstain – Evans. Seven ayes, one abstention, motion carried.

Water/Sewer Supervisor Bob Carleton shared that he is looking into gathering more information on refurbishing the standpipe.

Street/Alley Supervisor Jesse Houtzel reported that the street dept. would begin working on oil and chipping roads in town and the following week they plan to begin work on sidewalks and curbs.

PUBLIC SAFETY – ALDERMAN PACEY

Alderman Pacey shared an update on the fast-track demolition of the 3 properties. Each location is at a different stage of the process. One of the properties has already had an asbestos inspection done, and they are working to shut off all utilities. Whereas the other two locations already have the utilities shut off, but have no yet had an asbestos inspection done. The first demo opened up today for bids on the Land banks website.

Mayor Ingold estimated that they would have a quote from the landfill to present the Council by the July meeting.

Carleton shared that he is concerned about entering into the to-be-demoed houses to remove the water meters since the houses are in such bad shape.

The question of personal property was brought up, Mayor Ingold shared that he was advised to take pictures of the houses and whatever property may be inside to prevent potential issues

Chef Cornett shared that the employee evaluations are finished and have been handed in to the Mayor.

He also shared that he talked with Flock Safety about the installation of the license plate readers. Flock has been having issues with IDOT and different requirements for marking the ground, but they are working on finishing up the project.

CITY PROPERTY – ALDERMAN EVANS

Council tabled Discuss and Approve Bid Proposal for property located at 137 W Oak St. until the July Council meeting

Council tabled Discuss and Approve banning directional boring on weekends until the July Council meeting.

Alderman Evans shared that he has received calls from locals who are concerned about Paxton’s 4th of July firework show since there has been no rain. Council discussed the possibility of rain coming between now and the 4th of July, and ultimately left the decision up to the Mayor.

Mayor Ingold shared that they have identified and contacted the individuals that have vandalized to bathrooms at Pells Park. Chef Cornett shared that they will go through the probation office. All participants are banned from the park.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE – ALDERMAN GEIKEN

Alderman Geiken shared that he has nothing on the agenda, but has plans to get together with the committee.

Mayor Ingold shared that an individual inquiring on a Class C Liquor license confronted him. The Mayor was not at liberty to share anymore details other than it would be located in an existing building and would have meals for the lunch and dinner crowds.

COMMUNITY – ALDERMAN LARSON

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – ALDERMAN COX

TIF Attorney Tony Schuering shared that Atlantic Ag Aviation, Inc. has a closing date of July 5th and the City is waiting to hear back about the agreement.

Alderman Cox motioned to approve ORDINANACE 23.18 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE REDEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF PAXTON ILLINOIS AND BIJOUX HAIR SALON, AUTHORIZING AND EXECUTION THEREOF, AND OTHER ACTIONS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. Alderman Wilson seconded the motion. Roll Call: Ayes – Cox, Evans, Geiken, Larson, Pacey, Reinhart, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motion carried.

Mayor Ingold shared that WCIA was in town last Friday to promote Paxton. During the festivities, it was announced that the city of Paxton won a grant for almost $30,000 to get free Wi-Fi through T-Mobile. All thanks to the Paxton Is The Place To Be group.

LONG TERM PLANNING – ALDERMAN REINHART

OTHER

Aldermen Wilson motioned to Enter Into Executive Session For The Limited Purpose Of Discussing The Employment, Performance, And Compensation Of One Or More City Employees Pursuant To 5 ILCS 120 12(C) (1) and 5 ILCS 120 12 (c) (6). Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. Roll call: Ayes – Cox, Evans, Geiken, Larson, Pacey, Reinhart, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motioned carried.

Alderman Wilson motioned to amend the salaries of the non-union city employees as followed (base salary):

Chef of Police: $76,452.20, Caption of the Police Department: 460,060.00, Head of Street Department: $60,060.00, Head of Water/Sewer Department: $60,060.00, Treasurer/Comptroller: $60,060.00, Water Department Billing Clerk: $40,030.00. Alderman Cox seconded the motion. Roll call: Ayes – Cox, Evans, Geiken, Larson, Pacey, Reinhart, Wilson and Withers. All ayes, motioned carried.

Alderman Wilson motioned to adjourn. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/658/06-27-2023-Adjourned-City-Council-Meeting-MinutesPDF