Kankakee Times

City of Gilman City Council met October 8. 

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, Voigt eye, and Fancher aye. City Clerk Morris and Treasurer Johnson were also present.

                Moved by McGehee              Seconded by Elliott

to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on September 10, 2018. All aye.

                Moved by Elliott                     Seconded by McGehee

to transfer $6,500.00 from the General Fund to the Road and Bridge Fund. All aye.

At the beginning of the 2017-2018 audit, Fox CPA Group advised the City that it should be paying back loans between funds in the same fiscal year in which the funds were borrowed. Therefore, the City needs to start paying back what the TIF 1 Fund borrowed from the General Fund during 2015, 2016 and 2017. It was suggested by Mayor Theesfeld that $150,000.00 of the $270,000.00 due be paid to the General Fund at this time.

                Moved by Elliott                       Seconded by Voigt

to transfer $150,000.00 from the TIF 1 Fund to the General Fund. All aye.

A resident who lives at 229 N. Maple spoke to the council complaining about speeding by vehicles turning onto Park St. from N. Maple Street (west entrance to the Iroquois West High School). He would like something done by the City to slow traffic and asked about a speed bump. It was briefly discussed how a speed bump would affect snow plowing. He also said that a sidewalk in his area needs to be repaired/replaced, and he complained about the police response to an incident in his area a few nights ago.

A resident who lives at 219 N. Hamilton spoke to the council complaining about the police response to change being stolen from his unlocked truck on a date when both of Gilman’s police officers were not on duty due to being out of town for a 3-day training session. He further made accusations against a recently-released felon living on the west side of Gilman, and mentioned tools stolen from another west-side resident.

A resident inquired about opening a photography studio at 163 N. Central, and the city clerk advised that she will get the resident the owner’s name and phone number.

                    Moved by McGehee             Seconded by Kraft

to approve payment of the sum of $78,958.36 to Cargill from TIF 1 for reimbursement for the 2017 real estate taxes payable in 2018 and for approval of Resolution No. 18-19-R3. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld advised that the City may give water/sewer/garbage customers the option of receiving their monthly bills via e-mail through PSN. The charge by PSN would be $39.95 per month versus $14.90 per month that is paid now. The City will need at least 40 customers per month to receive their bills via e-mail only to make up for the additional cost. No vote of the council was taken regarding that matter.

Mayor Theesfeld advised that it will be necessary to adopt the annual Tax Levy Ordinance at the regular November city council meeting. He recommends that the council levy the same amount as in the previous year, and an ordinance will be available for adoption at the November meeting.

Mayor Theesfeld advised that he will be meeting with Neil Piggush of Piggush Engineering Inc. on Thursday to discuss a possible grant for the N. Central Street project. That grant would be applied for in 2019, awarded in 2020, and construction would possibly be in 2021. That project may include sidewalks and street lights too.

A brief discussion was had about sidewalk repairs/replacements. Mayor Theesfeld advised the residents in attendance of the proposed project to be done around the Iroquois West Grade School, which is a $2,000,000.00 project.

Mayor Theesfeld advised that the Old Boys’ committee may be selling bricks with peoples’ names on them to be installed on N. Central St. where the former Pinkston building was demolished. He also mentioned that the committee is looking for a place in Gilman where RVs and campers can be parked during Old Boys.

Alderman Voigt had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Elliott had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Fancher had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Eimen again advised the council that Iroquois County lost its arbitration with the telecommunicators, and questioned why the county’s public safety tax is not being used for public safety. Apparently, the ETSB (Emergency Telephone Systems Board) is giving $40,000.00 to the county and the County Board Chairman wants to use those funds to purchase a new chiller (air-conditioner) for the Iroquois County Courthouse. Alderman Eimen wanted the council to be aware of this use of funds, so that the next time the County requests funds from the City for police department communication services, the City can keep that in mind.

Alderman McGehee inquired about the new screw pumps, and Mayor Theesfeld advised that they are to be delivered Monday and should take about one week to install and be operational.

Alderman Kraft had nothing to discuss.

                         Moved by McGehee                 Seconded by Fancher

to approve the bills as they were presented, and to approve the Balance Sheet, and Profit and Loss Statement dated October 8, 2018 as presented. All aye.

                          Moved by Voigt                        Seconded by Fancher

to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:40 p.m. All aye.

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1RTNA4hS7P_4xHt_5AlSBWLgSWu-EtOE4