Kankakee Times

City of Gilman City Council met Dec. 11.

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: Bachman aye, Elliott aye, Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye and Kraft aye. Clerk Kraft, Treasurer Morris, Kira Ebert, and Bill Bush along with two of his employees, were also present.

Moved by McGehee

Seconded by Elliott

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

Moved by Elliott

Seconded by Bachman

to approve the transfer of $20,000.00 from the general fund to the road & bridge fund, and $100,000.00 from the general fund to the sanitary sewer fund. All aye.

Bill Bush an independent pharmacy owner addressed the council regarding his bid submitted for the sale of property at 1042 S. Crescent St., Gilman. His plan is to remodel the commercial building for use as a retail pharmacy and support long-term care and assisted living communities with compliance packaging solutions not available from chain pharmacies. It would have a drive thru option and the location would consolidate support for surrounding communities and ensure equality of access for quality pharmacy services. Bill’s company is willing to purchase the parcel for $200,000 but would like to subdivide the parcel to allow for the City to maintain ownership of the undeveloped land on the north end of the property. Mr. Bush stated he reached out to get a bid from Krause Survey Company in the event a sale was approved by the city council.

Moved by Kraft

Seconded by McGehee

to approve the sale of 1042 S. Crescent St. for $200,000 to Bill Bush. All aye.

Kira Ebert introduced herself as Chief of Staff for State Representative Jason Bunting. She stated they would like to meet one on one with mayors to discuss economic develop and projects they are working on in their communities. She offered their help with grants and the application process and their office will write letters of support. Kira holds office hours in Watseka, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and in the Dwight office Wednesday. She will be meet with residents of the 106th District so they may voice their concerns and suggestions. They also offer families that sometimes cannot afford vacations free museum passes. Residents may call and check out a savings card for four people to receive free admission passes and attend any of the 16 museum locations in the Chicago area. The pass does not include parking or taxes on the tickets.

Randy Eimen asked Kira to pass along his thoughts to Rep. Bunting to reform the prevailing wage act for small communities with a small tax base to be able to save money on projects that are required to pay prevailing wages. She stated they support local control of solar and wind energy.

Mayor Theesfeld addressed the council for the need to pass an ordinance rezoning the Residential Mobile Home to Business for a new Dollar General Store to be built on the property.

Moved by Eimen

Seconded by Kraft

To approve Ordinance No. 23-24-12 Rezoning property from Residential Mobile Home to Business. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld stated there are several payments that need to be approved for various projects. The Crescent & Park Street Sewer Main Project pay estimates #3 and #4 (final) payment to R&R, Inc., the 2nd to 4th St. Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project, pay estimate #3 (final) payment to Iroquois Paving Corp., and the 3rd & Maple Roadway Improvement Project with pay estimate #3 to Tenco Excavating, LLC.

Moved by McGehee

Seconded by Fancher

to approve payment to R & R Inc. for pay estimates No.3 of $14,342.40 and No.4 & final pay estimate of $60,345.55 for the Crescent & Park Street Sewer Main Project. All aye.

Moved by Kraft

Seconded by McGehee

to approve payment to Iroquois Paving Corporation of $124,486.23 for pay estimate No. 3 and final for the 2nd to 4th Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement project. All aye.

Moved by Elliott

Seconded by Kraft

to approve payment to Tenco Excavating. Inc. of $232,146.50 for pay estimate No. 3 for the 3rd & Maple Roadway Improvements. All aye, except McGehee who voted nay.

Mayor Theesfeld addressed the council regarding the need for storage space now that the building on Crescent St. will be sold. River Valley Recycling has 2-40’ roll off units they can deliver for temporary use at $3,600 per unit.

He also stated that Rene Hinjosa would like to work during his Christmas break from college.

Moved by Eimen

Seconded by Kraft

to approve purchase of 2, 40’ storage units at $3,600 per unit from River Valley Recycling. All aye.

Alderman Bachman had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Elliott had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Fancher had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Eimen asked if Maple Street could be blocked off for the event, Maple St. Christmas.

Alderman McGehee had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Kraft had nothing to discuss.

Moved by McGehee

Seconded by Bachmann

to approve the bills as they were presented, and to approve the Balance Sheet, and Profit and Loss Statement dated December 11, 2023 as presented. All aye.

Moved by McGehee

Seconded by Elliott

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

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CT7jkajPETWVHhJleLBsw-4Gr2SGmEgC/edit