Kankakee Times

City of Gilman City Council met March 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, Eimen aye, Kraft aye, Elliott aye, Bachman aye, and Fancher aye. Clerk Morris and Treasurer Johnson were also present.

Moved by McGehee Seconded by Elliott

to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on February 10, 2020. All aye.

Moved by Elliott Seconded by Bachman

to approve the transfer of $15,000.00 from the general fund to the road & bridge fund. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld advised that the interest rate for the Prospect Bank Certificate of Deposit for the water and storm fund has decreased to 1.09%.

Moved by Kraft Seconded by McGehee

to transfer all of the sums in said Certificate of Deposit back to the general fund (allocated for

water and storm) and close the Certificate of Deposit. All aye.

Barb Offill, an Iroquois County board member, inquired about whether the county board chairman has been in touch with the City of Gilman regarding the Communication Services Agreement between Iroquois County and the City of Gilman. Mayor Theesfeld advised that he has not.

Mayor Theesfeld advised that additional work in connection with the N. Central streetscaping project has been suggested, which is redoing E. Front St. from N. Central St. to N. Main St., and Second St. from N. Central St. west to the railroad tracks.

Moved by Kraft Seconded by Fancher

to approve additional engineering by Piggush Engineering Inc., as follows:

Phase I site engineering design $9,830.00

Phase II site engineering design 12,350.00

Total $22,180.00

All aye. Mayor Theesfeld advised that if the City is awarded the grant, 80% of these costs will be reimbursed to the City.

Mayor Theesfeld advised of an EPA water pollution control (wastewater) revolving loan at 1 ½% interest available to the City wherein 30% of the loan would be forgiven. He suggests that the City apply for the loan to be used to replace the main trunk line from the north sewer plant to E. Fifth St. and then west to the railroad tracks, increasing the size of the sewer line. The project is estimated to be $1,600,000.00, so $480,000.00 would be forgiven. Mayor Theesfeld stated that E. Fifth St. from N. Maple St. to N. Central St. would be resurfaced as part of that project. An increase in the sewer rate may be necessary, and the loan funds would probably be available in 2021.

Moved by McGehee Seconded by Kraft

to approve the Piggush Engineering proposal of $7,080.00 for the EPA revolving loan fund

application. All aye.

Moved by Elliott Seconded by Bachman

to approve payment to Iroquois Paving Corporation in the sum of $2,941.29 for the N.

Thomas/E. Second St. project. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld advised of the High-Speed Rail Alliance’s request for the City to become a member, as Gilman may be a stop on the new line, if constructed, from Chicago to St. Louis.

Moved by Elliott Seconded by Kraft

to approve payment of $250.00 to the High-Speed Rail Alliance for a one-year municipal membership. All aye, except Eimen who voted nay.

Moved by Kraft Seconded by McGehee

to adopt Ordinance No. 19-20-12 authorizing the ceding of private activity bonding authority to the Eastern Illinois Economic Development Authority for the 2020 volume cap. All aye.

Moved by Kraft Seconded by Fancher

to amend the members of the City’s police committee to include Kraft, Elliott and McGehee. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld suggested allowing the Gilman Fire Dept. to pay only $300.00 each for the water and sewer connections for the new construction on the west side of town, rather than the usual $500.00 each for commercial construction.

Moved by Elliott Seconded by Kraft

to approve a reduction in fees and charge only $300.00 each for water and sewer connections.

All aye, except Fancher who abstained.

Alderman Bachman had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Elliott had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Fancher had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Eimen had nothing to discuss.

Alderman McGehee had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Kraft had nothing to discuss.

Mayor Theesfeld advised that the Old Boys & Girls committee is still in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status. The committee may wish to have the City apply for a grant from the Mary Helen Roberts Trust for Old Boys. No alderman expressed an objection.

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 March 9, 2020 as presented. All aye.

Moved by Fancher Seconded by Elliott

to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:32 p.m.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AR1m_R8dDT6fJk1Mi_PrID8bPJDr5KWF