Kankakee Times

City of Gilman City Council met April 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the Council:

The regular meeting of the city council was called to order by Mayor Theesfeld. Council responding to roll call were: McGehee aye, Voigt aye, Elliott aye, Kraft aye, Eimen aye, and Fancher aye. City Clerk Morris and Treasurer Johnson were also present.

Moved by McGeheeSeconded by Fancher to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on March 12, 2018. All aye.

Moved by McGeheeSeconded by Kraft to transfer $2,500.00 from the general fund to the road & bridge fund, and to transfer $1,000.00 from the general fund to sanitary sewer. All aye.

Clean-up days were scheduled for May 9, 10, and 11, 2018. No motion was necessary.

Moved by McGeheeSeconded by Elliott to approve the bid of Price’s Tree Service for $4,350.00 for removal of 20 trees ad stumps referred to as the “blue list”, and to approve the bid of LaMarr Construction for $8,750.00 for removal of 14 trees and stumps referred to as the “yellow list”. All aye.

Moved by EimenSeconded by Kraft to approve the Application for a Class A-1 liquor license for Manny’s Crossroads Cantina, LLC, which will be opening at 122-124 N. Central Street (former Pinky’s building), probably in June 2018. One of the owners, Troy Janssen, was in attendance at the meeting. All aye.

Moved by EimenSeconded by McGehee to adopt the Ordinance increasing the sewer rates, as follows:

Effective May 1, 2018, the basic user rate will be $5.00 per 1,000 gallons.

Effective May 1, 2019, the basic user rate will be $5.50 per 1,000 gallons.

All aye.

Moved by EimenSeconded by McGehee to adopt the Ordinance increasing the water rates, as follows:

Effective May 1, 2018, $12.00 per month for the first 3,000 gallons of water used during each monthly period; in the event the amount of gallons used during each monthly period is less than 3,000 gallons, the minimum charge for water used during such monthly period shall be $12.00. The new rate for water will be $4.00 per 1,000 gallons in excess of 3,000 gallons used during each monthly period.

Effective May 1, 2019, $13.50 per month for the first 3,000 gallons of water used during each monthly period; in the event the amount of gallons used during each monthly period is less than 3,000 gallons, the minimum charge for water used during such monthly period shall be $13.50. The new rate for water will be $4.50 per 1,000 gallons in excess of 3,000 gallons used during each monthly period.

All aye.

Mayor Theefeld discussed the approximate income to be generated from said increases, and the approximate cost of an additional screw pump for the sewer plant which will be needed in the relatively near future.

Summer in the Park requested a donation from the City. Past donations from the City to Summer in the Park have been $1,000.00 per year for 2013 through 2017. Alderman Eimen discussed the amount of money that the City gives away to those who request donations and that the City just cannot afford to do so in the future, especially in light of the various sewer and road projects necessary and the increase in water and sewer rates approved at tonight’s meeting. Alderman Fancher made a motion to donate $500.00 instead of $1,000.00, but no second was made, so the motion was not considered.

The Village of Onarga’s Durham Park is having an annual bingo fundraiser to raise funds to help maintain the park and swimming pool, and also requested a donation from the City, but that request was not discussed and no motions were made in that regard.

The subject of donations by the City was discussed further by the council, and it was decided to do some research into how other cities, such as Watseka, Gibson City, and Paxton, handle donation requests. Alderman Kraft will contact the appropriate individuals in those cities to see what information can be obtained.

Moved by KraftSeconded by McGehee to approve a Resolution authorizing payment to J. K. Land, Ltd. (Dollar General Store) of $881.60 from the TIF 1 account, pursuant to its TIF Agreement with the City. This will be the last payment to J. K. Land, Ltd., as it has been reimbursed for all of its TIF cost-eligible expenses. All aye.

Moved by ElliottSeconded by Kraft to approve the Resolution for Maintenance under the Illinois Highway Code with the Illinois Department of Transportation appropriating $142,500.00 of Motor Fuel Tax funds for the purpose of maintaining streets and highways from May 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019. Only those operations listed on the approved Estimate of Maintenance Costs are eligible for maintenance with Motor Fuel Tax funds. All aye.

The need to pave Maple Street between 6th and 7th Streets, as well as north of the Gilman Area District Library, was discussed by the council. There are not enough funds in the Motor Fuel Tax program, however, to asphalt many streets.

Moved by McGeheeSeconded by Kraft to approve renewal of the video gaming licenses for K & H Truck Plaza, and The Right Stop. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld raised the possibility of establishing a gasoline tax in the City, which is utilized by Urbana, Danville, Champaign, and Decatur. Those cities charge $.04 or more. Mayor Theesfeld suggested $.02 or $.03 per gallon, but it was not discussed as to whether the tax would apply to both gasoline and diesel. He requested that the council consider the tax, the income from which would be used for street improvements. Mayor Theesfeld will look for other cities’ ordinances to use as an example for Gilman if the tax is in fact imposed.

Alderman Voigt had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Elliott advised the council that there is often water standing on Park Street. Mayor Theesfeld will talk to the city employees about fixing that issue.

Alderman Fancher advised that there is a catch basin at Third & Hamilton Streets, but water is standing across the street. It was suggested to have Addison jet that out, and a brief discussion was had regarding other areas to be jetted.

Alderman Eimen advised that Tholens has the City on its to-do list for installation of the water bags on the new trees planted last fall. He also stated that if some of the trees in the former Kuipers’ Sales lot now owned by the City do not appear to have survived the winter that he would like new trees planted in their places, with perhaps a different kind of tree. Alderman Eimen brought up the need for another police committee meeting, due to further information being received for the bids for a new police car, and a meeting was scheduled for Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. A Notice will be posted tomorrow morning advising of that meeting.

Alderman McGehee advised that the new Commander of the Gilman American Legion requested that they be allowed to put a burn barrel behind the Legion building to burn flags once a year. It was determined by the mayor and council that they cannot do so.

Alderman Kraft advised of the need to clean up the East Second Street ditch in the area of Gray’s, as the ditch has trees and other growth in it. Alderman Eimen mentioned checking to see if there are any persons needing to do community service that could help with that cleanup.

Moved by McGeheeSeconded by Elliott to approve the bills as they were presented. All aye.

Moved by FancherSeconded by McGehee to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:05 p.m. All aye.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RTNA4hS7P_4xHt_5AlSBWLgSWu-EtOE4