Kankakee Times

City of Gilman City Council met Aug. 12.

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, Eimen aye, Kraft aye, Voigt eye, Elliott aye and Fancher aye. Clerk Morris and Treasurer Johnson were also present.

Moved by McGeheeSeconded by Elliott

to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on July 8, 2019. All aye.

Jamie Eden of the Iroquois County Chamber of Commerce was present and advised the council that there is about $1,100.00 in the account for Super Saturday from last year, so the Chamber will not be requesting a donation from the City this year. In addition, Old Boys will be held next year, so the City will be asked to donate to the Old Boys fund next year. Due to the road construction on N. Thomas and E. Second Streets, placement of the vendors for Super Saturday, to be held on September 14, 2019, was discussed.

Moved by McGehee   Seconded by Eimen

to formally accept the resignation of Office Brian J. Norton from the Gilman Police Department effective July 30, 2019, as he has obtained other employment. All aye.

The new Illinois law regarding adult-use cannabis was discussed. No alderman was against having a cannabis business established in Gilman, although no formal vote was taken. The City Attorney will be instructed to proceed with preparation of an ordinance requiring adult-use cannabis establishments to be zoned business and to impose the tax allowed by Illinois state law. A license fee may also be established, similar to those for liquor licenses.

Moved by Eimen   Seconded by Elliott

to approve the proposal of Mike Costello Painting to paint and repair the City’s shed at W. Second and N. Commerce St. for $8,450.00. That proposal will also include fixing the glass that has been broken in some of the windows. All aye.

Moved by Eimen   Seconded by McGehee

to approve payment to Iroquois Paving Corporation of $41,768.87 for the N. Thomas/E. Second St. project. All aye.

Moved by Eimen   Seconded by Fancher

to approve payment of $14,068.80 to Piggush Engineering for the N. Thomas/E. Second St. project, and payment of $15,000.00 to Piggush Engineering for the N. Central St. streetscaping project. All aye.

Moved by Eimen   Seconded by Elliott

to approve payment of $60,004.00 to Iroquois Paving Corporation for sidewalk removal and replacement, which includes N. Maple/Park Ave. sidewalk replacement. All aye.

Moved by Eimen   Seconded by McGehee

to approve payment of $2,223.28 to Gilman Auto Parts from TIF 1 for TIF reimbursement for the 2018 real estate taxes paid in 2019, and adoption of Resolution No. 19-20-R2. All aye, except Alderman Kraft who abstained.

Moved by Eimen   Seconded by Fancher

to approve the transfer of $98,610.52 from TIF 1 to the 2017 Debt Service Fund, to cover the loan payment due October 6, 2019. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld advised that there will be a street & alley committee meeting on Friday, August 16, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the status of the N. Central St. streetscaping project and ideas for it with a few business owners from N. Central St. businesses.

Mayor Theesfeld thanked Alderman Fred Voigt for his service to the City as alderman, as this is his last meeting. Alderman Voigt then thanked the council and the residents of the second ward.

Alderman Voigt had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Elliott had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Fancher had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Eimen discussed the police committee meetings held on July 17, 2019 and August 9, 2019 regarding police department staffing, as well as comments made by Officer Brian Norton regarding his time as a Gilman Police Officer. Only three applications were received for the police officer position, and two of them have no police experience. An option was discussed whereby the City would maintain the police chief position, but contract with the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Department for an officer to work in Gilman 40 hours per week at a cost of approximately $70,000.00. If an officer is hired with no experience, the City would need to pay him or her for salary and benefits while he or she attends school for 14 weeks, which training would cost approximately $4,000.00. If a contract is entered into with Iroquois County, the police chief would be on duty during the day and a county officer at night. The possibility of co-oping with Onarga and/or Danforth was also discussed. Alderman Eimen will continue to work with the Iroquois County Sheriff to come to an agreement that can then be presented to the city council.

Alderman Eimen also suggested that as part of the N. Central St. streetscaping project security cameras be installed in the new street lights. Mayor Theesfeld advised that although the security cameras would not be a grant-eligible expense, they could be included in the proposed plan.

Alderman McGehee inquired about the status of Nicor’s gas line work on N. Thomas/E. Second St. which has been delaying the work of Iroquois Paving Corporation. Mayor Theesfeld briefly discussed the status.

Alderman Kraft advised that the snow pusher will be delivered to Ailey’s Welding in Crescent City for further work.

Mayor Theesfeld advised that the cost of the MFT project, which included the work done on S. Maple St. and E. Park View Dr., was about $33,000.00 less than the estimate, as no curbs were installed.

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 August 12, 2019 as presented. All aye.

Moved by Fancher   Seconded by Elliott

to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:12 p.m. All aye.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1z91tLQmWTewX2J_kQixdUvzJRKuPLgyg