Chambana Sun

City of Paxton City Council met April 23

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The monthly meeting of the Paxton City Council was held on Tuesday, April 23rd, at 7:00pm in the City Council Chambers.

Mayor Ingold called the meeting to order at 7:01 pm.

Roll call showed the following Aldermen in attendance: Cox, Geiken, Larson, Pacey, Reinhart, and Wilson.

Absent was Aldermen Evans and Withers. Also in attendance were Mayor Bill Ingold, Comptroller/Treasurer Tammy Jensen, Police Chief Coy Cornett, City Attorney Anthony Schuering, Water/Sewer Supervisor Bob Carleton, Street/Alley Supervisor Jesse Houtzel, and members of the press and audience.

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

FINANCE/BUDGET – ALDERMAN WILSON:

Alderman Wilson stated that they would like to go into Executive Session to discuss the FOP Contract Negotiations at the end of tonight’s meeting.

PUBLIC WORKS – ALDERMAN WITHERS:

Mayor Ingold stated that Alderman Withers is absent tonight but on the agenda is to discuss and purchase an inspection camera. Bob Carleton the Water/Sewer Supervisor stated he received an estimate for the 200 ft camera, and it is $849 cheaper then the 350ft quote he presented at the April 9th meeting. Carleton stated a gentleman from the company is coming on April 30th to give a demonstration. Alderman Pacey states this will be tabled for May after they employees have done the demo.

Jesse Houtzel Street/Alley Supervisor states they have MFT Quotes from Farnsworth & Clark Dietz. The only difference he notices in the quotes is Farnsworth has aggregate on the shoulder calculated in their quotes and Clark Dietz does not. Mike Livermore from Clark Dietz confirmed their estimate does not include the aggregate shoulder work. Houtzel stated the roads listed to be addressed are Franklin Street from American to Taft, Cambridge Drive from Summer to the south end of Cambridge (cul-de-sacs not included), Oak Street from Maple to American, Park Terrace from 1101 Park Terrace to Stockholm Rd, Ottawa from Route 45 to Vermillion Street. Alderman Wilson asks Comptroller Jansen how the MFT fund looks, she stated its at approximately $118,000. Alderman Wilson asks about getting this scheduled, Joe Grimm from Farnsworth states completing the paperwork and getting it on the books will take approximately a month. Alderman Wilson.

would also like Clark Dietz to add the aggregated shoulder into their estimate, and Houtzel will also obtain some oil & chip estimates. Alderman Wilson requests this to be tabled to May since Alderman Withers is absent, Mayor Ingold agrees.

Houtzel states they are waiting for the mulch to come in to finish up the new playground at Pells Park.

PUBLIC SAFETY – ALDERMAN PACEY:

Alderman Pacey stated he has an update on four properties pertaining to demolition, one has consented, two are in fast track and have been publicly notified and the fourth is a little in limbo right now. They are hoping the demolition bids will be by the end of May. 

Police Chief Coy Cornett stated that he went to set up the speed trailer as a follow up to the April 9th, 2024, meeting and it is flashing and not showing any reading at this time. He already has the company coming to check all their radars on May 14th, so he will have this looked at also.

CITY PROPERTY – ALDERMAN EVANS:

Mayor Ingold stated Alderman Evans is absent tonight and the only thing he must report is the final touches and finish up on Pells Park with mulch, etc. are slow due to the rain and standing water, but they are working to get it finished and the playground opened.

LICENSE, PERMIT, ZONING & INSURANCE – ALDERMAN GEIKEN;

Alderman Geiken stated on the agenda is Consider and Act Upon an Ordinance Establishing Regulations Pertaining to Vacant Building and they are going to table this to the May 14, 2024, Meeting.

COMMUNITY – ALDERMAN LARSON.

Alderman Larson stated there was a Community Committee meeting held at 6:15pm prior to the City Council Meeting. She stated this is the first meeting since she has been on the committee and her goal is to touch base with organizations in the community and to help facilitate their endeavors within the community.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – ALDERMAN COX:

Alderman Cox stated next on the agenda is Consider and act upon an Ordinance authorizing a Redevelopment Agreement with FTP Properties, aka The Chinese Restaurant. Mayor Ingold stated after the April 9th meeting there were issues brought up of not only the awning but the façade and paint and the building being in poor condition. Estimates of $7,000 to power wash and $33,000 to prime and paint the building. The Mayor introduces Tim Piekarski and Pam Rezek, owners of the building. Tim Piekarski stated they inherited the building from their father approximately four years ago. Piekarski stated that the rental income from the building has been put back into the interior repairs needed, he stated he is shocked at the amount of the estimate for painting the building and they do not have $30,000 to do this. Piekarski stated that they agree this needs done but are not sure when this could be accomplished. Alderman Pacey questions Attorney Scheuring if interior renovations are TIF eligible. Alderman Pacey states we should look at the big picture, Scheuring stated yes, and it depends on the situation. Mayor Ingold stated we cannot go backwards, only forward with this.

Alderman Wilson stated that the owners have answered several questions the council had at the previous meeting, and he feels we should vote on the awning and then get a clearer picture of the other needs for the building and address those later. Alderman Reinhart addresses that the council has had citizens complain about the other two building they own that need repairs, so to have FTOP Properties LLC here stating they want to make improvements is a step in the right direction.

Alderman Wilson made a motion to approve the TIF Agreement for FTP Properties LLC awning replacement.

Geiken seconded the motions. Ayes- Cox, Geiken, Larson and Wilson. Nays- Pacey and Reinhart. Mayor Ingold stated four yes and two nays, motion carried.

Alderman Cox stated nest on the agenda is to Consider and Act Upon a Resolution Authorizing the Use of TIF Funds to Repair certain Public Sidewalks within the TIF District. Attorney Scheuring stated this is on the 100 block of West Pells Street, south side of the Frederick Community Bank. Scheuing stated we are fundamentally doing the same thing as a Redevelopment Agreement the only difference is we are the ones doing it and we wouldn’t sign an agreement with ourselves.

Scheuring stated the Resolution and replacement of the sidewalk should not exceed $10,000. Mayor Ingold stated Justin Swan the bank president had reached out to him because the Frederick Community Bank would like to put a new façade on their building, but the sidewalk is in such poor shape they would like that addressed before they move forward.

Alderman Pacey made a motion to Approve the Resolution to use TIF funds to replace the sidewalk on the south side of the Frederick Community Bank / Pells Street 100 block. Reinhart seconded the motions. Cox Abstains, Ayes- Geiken, Larson, Pacey, Reinhart, and Wilson. 5 Ayes & 1 Abstains, Motion Carried.

LONG TERM PLANNING – ALDERMAN REINHART:

Alderman Reinhart stated there was no meeting and nothing on the agenda to discuss.

OTHER BUSINESS:

Mayor Ingold stated they will be planting a tree in Pells Park on Arbor Day April 26, 2024, at 7:30am in memory of Terry Hancock. Street/Alley Supervisor Houtzel stated he has the tree ordered and will be picking out a spot.

Alderman Pacey stated the city does have a 50/50 funding share towards residents’ sidewalks.

Alderman Wilson made a motion at 7:40 to enter Executive Session for the limited purpose of discussing collective bargaining contract for city employees pursuant of 5IL-CS122C-20-2. Alderman Pacey seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried.

Executive Session ended at 8:04 p.m.

Alderman Wilson made a motion to authorize Mayor Ingold to execute the new FOP Agreement provided that it matches the tentative agreement that has been made between the City and the FOP. Alderman Pacey seconded the motions. All ayes, motion carried.

Alderman Wilson made a motion to adjourn. Alderman Cox seconded the motion. All ayes, motion carried on a voice vote.

City Council meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m. 

https://www.cityofpaxton.com/DocumentCenter/View/737/04-23-2024-City-Council-Meeting-Minutes-PDF