Kankakee Times

City of Gilman City Council met August 13.

Here is the minutes as 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, Elliott aye, Kraft aye, Eimen aye, and Fancher aye. City Clerk Morris and Treasurer Johnson were also present. Alderman Voigt was absent.

          Moved by McGehee            Seconded by Eimen

to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on July 9, 2018. All aye.

          Moved by Elliott                   Seconded by Fancher

to transfer $15,000.00 from the general fund to the road and bridge fund. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld advised the council of the death of Ronna Nasers, the wife of the City’s Code Enforcement Officer, Joel Nasers, and that the City will send flowers.

Bob Kramer, a resident of Gilman, appeared before the council and requested that the lines showing pedestrian crosswalks and stop lines on the city streets be repainted, especially near the schools. He does not feel that drivers stop correctly at intersections because the lines are not visible enough.

Jim Schreiber appeared on behalf of the Gilman Historical Society and thanked the mayor and city council for all that they do to enable the historical society to exist. He advised the council of an old cast iron lamp light on the former Pritchett property at 426 S. Central that is from the 1920s or 1930s, which came from a railroad walkway that used to be in Gilman. The new owner of the property is willing to give the lamp light to the historical society, but it does not have a place inside the building for it, so Mr. Schreiber inquired about placing it at 120 N. Central near the area where the memorial bench for Lyle Price is located. The lamp light needs to be restored and the council briefly discussed the possibility of doing so. The current owners of the property, Kyal and Shannon Mueller, will be contacted about moving the lamp light to a City site.

Mayor Theesfeld advised the council of the amended liquor license issued to C-I Golden Eagles, LLC, d/b/a Crossroads Cantina & Catering, due to Manny Delgado no longer being involved in that business.

            Moved by McGehee             Seconded by Fancher

to approve the change in said liquor license. All aye.

The council was also advised that C-I Golden Eagles, LLC, d/b/a Crossroads Cantina & Catering has applied for a one-day special liquor license to have a bean bag tournament during Super Saturday on September 8, 2018.

              Moved by Kraft                     Seconded by Fancher

to approve said one-day liquor license. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld suggested that the City adopt an ordinance to abate chronic nuisance properties, and all council members were provided with a copy of the City of Watseka’s ordinance as a sample. Chief Anderson advised the council how the process with work if the ordinance is adopted and the fact that it is sometimes called a three strikes and you’re out ordinance. The council was agreeable, and Mayor Theesfeld will contact the city attorney about preparing an ordinance.

Aldermen Eimen suggested that the city attorney also be contacted about preparing an ordinance to prevent persons from living in the front fifty feet of the first floor of a business. After some discussion, it was determined that ordinances of other local communities will be reviewed, and Mayor Theesfeld will talk to the city attorney about the same.

Mayor Theesfeld read an e-mail from City Attorney Frank Simutis advising of the status of the Betty Theofield property at 311 N. Central Street. After Mayor Theesfeld’s numerous attempts at obtaining a signed Quit Claim Deed to the City from Mrs. Theofield, and a letter from Attorney Simutis to Mrs. Theofield being ignored, Attorney Simutis proceeded with Court action and obtained a Judgment for Demolition on August 13, 2018. Mayor Theesfeld will talk to Lee Excavating to obtain a bid for the demolition of the house and garage. Mrs. Theofield will have 30 days to remove any personal property from the house and garage that she and her family want to retain.

Alderman Elliott brought up the issue of people riding bicycles on the sidewalks downtown, which is against City ordinances. However, it is not safe to ride them on the street either, in case a car doesn’t see them while backing out of a parking space. The issue was discussed but not resolved.

Alderman Fancher inquired about the status of the dead ash tree removal, and whether more trees will be purchased by the City. Mayor Theesfeld has a list of additional trees to be removed.

Alderman Eimen had nothing to discuss.

Alderman McGehee advised that a resident at 514 N. Central Street inquired about having the sidewalk in front of his house continued to the north of his house. The council discussed the need for various sidewalk repairs/replacements, but did not feel that the sidewalk in that area would be a priority, considering the cost of a new sidewalk and the number of people who would use it.

Alderman Kraft continued the conversation regarding sidewalk replacement, and he and Alderman Fancher, along with Mayor Theesfeld, will look at the sidewalks in town and may put together a list of some sidewalks that need to be replaced that have higher usage.

Alderman McGehee inquired about the status of the replacement of the sanitary sewer screw pumps, and Mayor Theesfeld advised that the work will probably be done in October or November 2018.

Mayor Theesfeld advised of the code enforcement being performed by Chief Anderson, and that if residents do not respond to an initial letter/notice regarding mowing or clean-up of their property, then ordinance violation tickets will be issued.

Mayor Theesfeld advised that the complaints of Luke and Lynn McIntyre, who reside at 624 E. Third Street, about drainage and the property near the old city dump and the Scherer property has been resolved, as the City employees will no longer fill in any of that area.

            Moved by Fancher               Seconded by Elliott

to approve the bills as they were presented, and to approve the Balance Sheet, and Profit and Loss Statement dated August 13, 2018 as presented. All aye.

            Moved by McGehee             Seconded by Fancher

to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:52 p.m. All aye.

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