Kankakee Times

City of Gilman City Council met, May 14.

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 McGehee Seconded by Fancher to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on April 9, 2018, and the minutes from the special meeting held on April 23, 2018. All aye.

Moved by McGehee Seconded by Kraft to transfer $25,000.00 from the general fund to the road & bridge fund, and to transfer $46,000.00 from the general fund to the sanitary sewer fund. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld thanked all of the fire departments and law enforcement who worked recently in connection with the fire at the Paul Johnson family residence. Although the Johnson building was a total loss, they were able to save downtown Gilman from being destroyed.

Moved by Voigt Seconded by Elliott to approve the appointments shown on the attached list for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld advised the council of the status of the proposed 2018-2019 Budget.

Moved by Fancher Seconded by Voigt to approve the 2018-2019 video gaming licenses to Dave’s Tap Inc., Crazy Horse Saloon, Boondocks, Denny’s, TA Operating, LLC, d/b/a Minit Mart, Pilot Travel Center, and Gilman OPCO, LLC, d/b/a Fred’s Fuel ‘N Food. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld discussed the proposed local motor fuel tax and advised that he has talked to City Attorney Frank Simutis about the same. One question is whether the language for the specific use of the tax is required to be stated in the ordinance or if the tax could be used for any purpose that the city council decided. Another question is whether the tax would be collected on gasoline sold at Pilot or on all gallons run through Pilot, for example. Mayor Theesfeld hopes to have a proposed ordinance available for the June meeting, so that the tax could be imposed commencing on July 1, 2018. It would be paid to the City monthly by the business owners, and a tax return form would be completed by the business owners stating how the amount of tax paid was calculated.

Mayor Theesfeld advised the council that he will be working with Homefield Energy on the City’s electric bill (not the contract for the residents of Gilman) in an attempt to lower the City’s rate.

Alderman Voigt briefly discussed the proposed colors/design of the new police car. It was determined that the police committee will make the final decision on the colors/design. Alderman Elliott had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Fancher advised the council that Mr. Sanchez on behalf of the Catholic Church contacted him with a request that the City put in a sidewalk from Second Street to the church hall. Mayor Theesfeld pointed out that the City’s sidewalk program has been a replacement program, not a new sidewalk program. He suggested that the City pay for the concrete, but not the labor to install the new sidewalk. He also would require that the sidewalk be about 5-feet wide bringing it all the way to the curb on Secor Street. Perhaps, the concrete could be paid for from the MFT fund. Alderman Fancher then advised that the Catholic Church also wants a ramp to the sidewalk on the other side of Secor Street. He will present the City’s offer to pay for the concrete only to the Catholic Church and get back to the city council with their response. Alderman Eimen had nothing to discuss, but stated that there are two dead trees on the former Kuipers’ Sales property that need to be replaced.

Alderman McGehee inquired about the bags to hold water for the new trees planted last fall. Alderman Eimen advised that he spoke with Tholens recently and they are supposed to be delivering the bags to the City in the near future.

Alderman Kraft advised that Manny’s Crossroads Cantina would like to use an area in the back between their building and Merkle’s building for parking, as they are planning to put a deck on the back of their property. They may wish to put down rock. Mayor Theesfeld will look at it.

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

Moved by McGehee Seconded by Fancher to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:50 p.m. All aye.

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