Kankakee Times

City of Gilman City Council met Aug. 8.

Here are 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: Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, Bachman aye and Elliott aye. Clerk Kraft and Treasurer Morris were also present.

Moved by McGehee

Seconded by Elliott

to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on July 11, 2022. All aye.

Moved by McGehee

Seconded by Kraft

to approve Resolution No. 22-23-R3 Authorizing Mayor to Sign Loan Documents for the US 24-45 Water Main Replacement Project. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld advised the council of the two proposals to repair 4th and 5th streets between N Central and N Main St. Iroquois Paving Corporation bid was for asphalt to be used while Gray’s Material Service bid was for oil and chip to be used. After much discussion it was thought best to accept the lower bid as those streets will have heavy trucks on them for a sewer project in the future.

Moved by McGehee

Seconded by Kraft

to accept the bid from Gray’s Material Service of $28,300.00 to oil and chip 4th and 5th streets between N Central and N Main streets. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld advised the council he attended the ARPA meeting on August 5th to talk about the application submitted for grant money. There is no news if Gilman was awarded the money for future projects.

Neil from Piggush Engineering spoke with Mayor Theesfeld regarding street projects starting in 2023. He advised they will be completed in two phases. First phase will be N Thomas St. to N. Maple St. and second phase will include N. Maple Street from Second St. to Third St. Mr. Piggush hopes to have the bids done between December and January.

Alderman Bachman had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Elliott had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Fancher had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Eimen had concerns about a recent fire in Watseka which was caused by a semi-tractor trailer in a residential area. The truck was a total loss and also caused damage to adjacent homes. The council discussed if an ordinance could be put in place to prohibit semi-tractor trailers from being parked in residential areas. An ordinance will be drafted and go before the council for a vote at a future meeting. Aldermen Eimen also asked if the city would like to have an original light from the downtown area that a homeowner would like to donate to the city. He will follow up and make arrangements to get the light.

Mayor Theesfeld advised there are seventeen used street lights that the city would like to sell. It was agreed upon by council to seek sealed bids for the entire lot and will be advertised through a buy, sell and trade sight in Iroquois and Kankakee counties. Bids would then be opened at the September 12th meeting of the city council.

Alderman McGehee addressed the council about a sewer line repair at 530 E Front St where the city could not locate the sewer line. The homeowner asked if the city could help pay the portion of the bill from C-U Plumbing for digging in several areas looking for the sewer line. Mayor Theesfeld advised that Cynthis Burn’s bill was higher because of the inability to locate the sewer line, and that the city is not in the practice of helping homeowners with paying their bills.

Moved by Elliott

Seconded by Bachman

to pay $1,000.00 to C-U Plumbing for the portion of Cynthia Burns $4,960.00 bill that the city felt it was responsible for. All aye except Eimen and Kraft who voted nay.

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 August 8, 2022 as presented. All aye.

Moved by Elliot

Seconded by Bachman

to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:02 p.m. All aye.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1soVPWqesXBW3szZOx9__cZOvj4R63yV0/edit