Kankakee Times

City of Gilman City Council met April 17.

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: McGehee aye, Kraft aye, Bachman aye, Elliott aye, Fancher aye and Eimen aye. Clerk Kraft and Treasurer Morris were also present as well as Dick Arends and Charles Wiltgen.

            Moved by McGehee        Seconded by Bachman

to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on March 13, 2023. All aye.

            Moved by McGehee        Seconded by Elliott

to approve the transfer of $17,000.00 from the general fund to the road and bridge fund and transfer $2,000.00 from the general fund to the sanitary sewer fund. All aye.

Residents Dick Arends and Charles Wiltgen addressed the council regarding the traffic on the corner of 

S. Maple and W. Mann Streets. Mr. Arends spoke of people not stopping at the stop signs at the corner and then proceeding to speed to the entrance of Mann Park. They would like to see a speed bump and 20 mph sign put part way down on that block. Randy Eimen suggested temporary speed bumps be put in place during the seasons the Mann Park is open. The council then discussed getting prices on signs and temporary speed bumps that could be removed when the park is closed for the season to make plowing the street easier. 

Mayor Theesfeld advised the council of the need to pass the new Mobile Home Ordinance to increase the fees the city currently receives. An annual fee of $500.00 for the mobile home park and $50.00 for each mobile home on the premises was discussed at previous meetings.

            Moved by Eimen         Seconded by McGehee

to adopt Ordinance No. 22-23-09 Amending Title 16 Mobile Home Park Fees. All Aye.

Mayor Theesfeld advised the council of a new solar ordinance that he would like to see adopted. Frank Simutis spoke with Mayor Theesfeld about the clause for decommissioning being stringent and suggested we wait to add that clause. Decommissioning of a solar farm does not happen for 25-30 years, so adding later would be necessary. Having a solar ordinance passed now eliminates the need for zoning board meetings to pass special use permits for solar farms in the future.

            Moved by Eimen        Seconded by Elliott

to adopt Ordinance No. 22-23-10 Adding Title 19 Solar Energy Code. All aye.

            Moved by McGehee        Seconded by Bachman

to approve the renewal of the video gaming licenses for 2023-2024 as follows:

    Debra A. Taylor, d/b/a The Right Stop Bar & Billiards

    C-I Golden Eagles, LLC d/b/a Crossroads Cantina & Catering

    Gilman Gaming LLC

    K & H Truck Plaza, Inc.

    Pilot Travel Center #468

    Minit Mart, LLC (store #625)

    Sai Santram Inc. d/b/a Budget Host Inn

    Gilman OPCO, LLC d/b/a Fred’s Fuel ‘N Food, 624 U.S. Hwy. West

    Gilman OPCO, LLC d/b/a Fred’s Fuel ‘N Food, 620 U.S, Hwy West

    Mathews Designs, Inc., d/b/a Boondocks

    Galena Properties, LLC, d/b/a Crazy Horse Saloon

    Dave’s Tap, Inc.    

    Denny’s Corp.

All aye.

            Moved by Eimen        Seconded by Kraft

to schedule City-wide Clean-up days for May 17, 18, and 19, 2023.  All aye.

            Moved by McGehee        Seconded by Bachman

to approve a donation to Summer in the Park of $250.00. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld advised the council that the Good Energy Aggregation Program for the City owned accounts will be up for renewal in August. Not all accounts qualify for the cheaper rates, as only a certain number of kilowatts can be used per year. Gilman can renew the agreement for either 24 or 36 months with the rate being locked in at the time the agreement is signed. Homefield Energy agreement with the City of Gilman for residential accounts have a rate of $0.05 while Ameren supplies cost $0.11 per kilowatt.  Charles Wiltgen commented that when moving into Gilman he was unaware of the Homefield Energy Program, but has since signed up for the better rates.

            Moved by McGehee         Seconded by Kraft

to approve the Good Energy Agreement for the City owned accounts at a rate of $.0875 with a term of 36 months. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld advised the council that 21 trees need to be cut down for the Third and Maple 

street project to begin. Bids were received from Lamarr Construction and Price’s Tree Service with the latter being the lowest bid at $6,800.00.  Ameren will then need to move power lines so the streets can be widened three to four feet in those areas.           

            Moved by Kraft            Seconded by Elliott 

to approve a bid from Price’s Tree Service for $6,800 to cut down and remove 21 trees. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld spoke with Neil Piggush and bidding opened on April 26th for an approximate $2.4 million sewer main project. The project extends from W. 5th St., under the railroad tracks and ends at the sewer plant.  Gilman received approval for an EPA loan with 30% of the cost forgiven and a 1% interest rate for the 25-year loan. 

Mayor Theesfeld addressed the council regarding a bill sent by the Iroquois County Board for the 911 Dispatch fees and said the city has not paid it.

Alderman Eimen then addressed the council in regards to the letter to collect fees for the Iroquois County Joint Dispatch in the amount of $1,272.06. He stated it was not the amount of the bill he had an issue with, but the principal of it. On March 13th Eimen called John Shure to get clarification on how the fees were figured but received no response.  He did speak with Eric Raymond the ETS Director, but he declined to answer any questions as he wanted John Shure to answer Eimen’s questions. A FOIA request was then sent to the Iroquois County Board by Alderman Eimen with six questions pertaining to how fees were calculated and who in Iroquois County received the Joint Dispatch bills. Amanda Longfellow responded on behalf of the Iroquois County Board and stated that the City of Gilman and the Gilman Fire Department were all billed individually. Citizens are also being billed individually on their cell and landline phones. His question is how many taxing bodies are paying the fees, and is that necessary.  Additional costs from the recent negotiations with Iroquois County and the Union that represents the dispatchers are being passed on to others. He explained to the council that 911 cost could be funded by a tax levy by the County Board so all taxpayers would pay equally. The towns of Papineau, Danforth, Beaverville, Donovan, Iroquois, Wellington, Crescent City, and Loda did not receive a 911 dispatch bill. He believes this is not a fair way to bill and that paying it is unnecessary.

No motion was made to approve payment to the Iroquois County Board for the bill sent on February 1, 2023 for utilizing Joint Dispatch in Iroquois County.

Alderman Eimen will apply for a grant from the Mary Helen Roberts Trust for twenty trees to be planted to replace those being cut down for various projects. He received a quote from Tholens Garden Center for $8,745.00. The cost for trees is $4,845.00 and the $3,900.00 is for the labor, which also includes a one-year guarantee on the trees if planted by Tholens. The deadline to apply is May 15th, 2023.

Alderman McGehee asked if the water main project was finished near Cargill. Mayor Theesfeld responded that cleanup has begun and approaches along Rt. 24-45 are being poured. McGehee also asked when the code enforcement officer would be returning as there are several areas he is concerned about. Mayor Theesfeld stated that Randy Meneou has started back and will be addressing the issues.

Alderman Bachmann had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Elliott had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Fancher had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Kraft had nothing to discuss.

            Moved by McGehee         Seconded by Elliot 

to approve the bills as they were presented, and to approve the Balance Sheet, and Profit and Loss Statement dated April 17, 2023 as presented. All aye.    

            Moved by McGehee         Seconded by Fancher

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

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