Kankakee Times

City of Gilman City Council met June 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 Elliott aye, Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, and Bachman aye. Clerk Kraft, Treasurer Morris and Iroquois County Chamber member Ernie Potter were also present.  

Moved by McGehee        Seconded by Bachman

to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on May 13, 2024. All aye.     

Mayor Theesfeld addressed the council thanking Susan Morris for all she has done for the past several years, stating this will be her last meeting, and that he really appreciated the fantastic job she did setting things up and when there was a problem, she took care of it.

He also stated that Karla Jean had resigned as bookkeeper and that another person was interested and trained for a day but then decided to not take the position of treasurer.

Mayor Theesfeld asked Sherilyn from Fox Group for advice on the treasurer position and she said many municipalities have gotten away from the split accounting like what the city uses stating that it is difficult to use, and she said honestly Susan was the only one who understood it.  Sherilyn recommended opening separate bank accounts for Water-Storm, Sanitary Sewer, Liability and possibly Social Security. The new accounts would be much easier to train a new treasurer with payroll by combining Road & Bridge with the General account.  The job has been posted online and there are several inquiries about the position. Sherilyn has someone who might be willing to help train the new treasurer and the mayor believes that the city will get a new treasurer soon.

Moved by Eimen        Seconded by Fancher

to approve the transfer of $16,500.00 from the general fund to the road & bridge fund. All aye.

Moved by Eimen        Seconded by McGehee

to combine the Road & Bridge fund with the General fund and all payroll will then come from the General fund.  All aye. 

Moved by Eimen        Seconded by McGehee

to separate General split accounts into Liability Insurance, Sanitary Sewer, Social Security, and Water & Storm to individual accounts. To make transfers from the General account: $154,694.07 to Sanitary Sewer account, $40,666.31 to Liability Insurance account, $15,108.68 to Social Security checking, and $263,022.37 to a Water & Storm account. And then also adding the amounts from the water/sewer deposit on 6-10-24 that has not yet posted to the necessary funds. All aye.

Ernie Potter addressed the council on behalf of the Iroquois Chamber of Commerce asking the council for permission to hold the Super Saturday Event on the first Saturday after Labor Day. The chamber would like to use N. Central Street for the car show to attract people to the downtown area. They have not asked the Slow Boys Tractor Club if they were interested in coming yet.  Mayor Theesfeld said the construction on N. Main and E. Third streets would not be done. There is a box culvert that will not be in yet so the streets would not be suited for the tractors and trailers to get around. Mr. Potter asked about using the alley between N. Central Street and the railroad tracks but Mayor Theesfeld said that would not work because of railroad regulations. He then suggested the use of Second Street between Central and Thomas streets. The mayor stated that Third Street might be drivable but will not be finished as a box culvert will not be in place in time to lay the asphalt. Mr. Potter said they would like to contact WCIA to highlight the local businesses. 

Mayor Theesfeld gave an update regarding the progress on the Third and Maple streets project stating of the last layer of asphalt is being put down and there will be minor finishes yet to be completed.  The project on 5th Street from Central to Maple St. is almost complete with the asphalt being laid Tuesday and Wednesday and clean up in the weeks to come. The Zion Church has new curbing and the parking area looks much nicer. 

The city received a proposal from R&R, Inc. in the amount of $76,870 for replacement of sewer lines in the alley of N. Thomas and Hartwell streets between 5th and 6th street. They will also be adding a walk-in gate to the fence going into the sewer plant at a cost of $500.00. Iroquois Paving Corp also had to dig up the asphalt which will need to be repaired.

Moved by Kraft        Seconded by Eimen

to approve the proposal from R&R, Inc of $76,870.00 and approve the payment of $68,870 to R&R, Inc.  All aye. 

Moved by Kraft        Seconded by Elliott

to approve the liquor licenses for 2024-2025 as follows:

    C-I Golden Eagles, LLC, d/b/a Crossroads Cantina & Catering Class A1 & F

    Dave’s Tap, Inc. Class A1

    Galena Properties, LLC, d/b/a Crazy Horse Saloon Class A1

    Gilman Opco, LLC, d/b/a Fred’s Fuel ‘n Food Class D

    Inside Out Gilman, Inc. Class A & F 

    Matthews Designs, Inc., d/b/a Boondocks Class A1

    Minit Mart, LLC, d/b/a Minit Mart #0625 Class D

    Pilot Travel Centers, LLC Class D

    The Right Stop Bar and Billiards Club Class A1

    Wasmer’s 66, Inc. Class D

    K & H Truck Plaza Class A1

    Gilman Gaming LLC Class A

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

    Iroquois West Booster Club Unit #10 special event 9-7-24 Class B    

    All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld thanked Roberto Sanchez and James Schreiber for the great job they did cleaning up the heart of Gilman landscaping. 

He also thanked the Gilman Fire Department men and E.R.H Enterprises for sending seven of their employees and three trailers to help in the clean up after the wind storm took down trees and large limbs throughout the city. 

The gate at the sewer plant had the electricity cut when doing work by the screw pumps. It has been rewired and keypad will now be mounted on a pole by the gate. They are still having problems with the operation of the gate.

Moved by Kraft        Seconded by Eimen

to approve the 2024-2025 Annual Appropriation Ordinance No. 24-25-03 for a total of $10,726,500.00. All aye.

Moved by Eimen        Seconded by Kraft

to adopt Resolution No.24-25-01 Changing Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Employer Administrator. All aye.

Matt Price from Price’s Tree Service took down several trees that were damaged by the wind storm and turned in a bill for $5,175.

Moved by Kraft        Seconded by Elliott

To pay the bill from Price’s Tree Service in the amount of $5175.00. All aye.

There are many trees that need to be taken down in Gilman  so the city will give the work to Lamarr Construction and Price’s Tree Service.  

Moved by McGehee        Seconded by Kraft

to approve pay estimate #7 for the 5th Street Sewer Interceptor Replacement made payable to R&R, Inc. for $101,093.24. All aye.

Moved by McGehee        Seconded by Kraft

to approve Ordinance No. 24-25-04 Authorizing the Purchase of Real Estate. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld was asked about the pile of clay that sets near the sewer plant and what will be done with it. He said it is the responsibility of Terry Miller and Paul Culkin to have it hauled away.             

Mayor Theesfeld suggested giving Addison Brown a raise of $1.00 per hour, effective on the next pay period which starts June 14, 2024.

Moved by Eimen        Seconded by Elliott

to increase Addison Brown's rate of pay to $23.00 per hour effective June 14, 2024. All aye.

Mayor Theesfeld stated that the old City Hall needs a new air conditioner. He will seek a quote from Jason Scharp and the two furnaces in another building need to be looked at for repair.

Alderman Fancher had nothing to discuss.

Aldermen Bachman had nothing to discuss.

Aldermen Eimen had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Elliott had nothing to discuss.

Alderman McGehee had nothing to discuss.

Alderman Kraft had nothing to discuss.

Moved by McGehee        Seconded by Bachman

to approve the bills as they were presented, and to approve the Balance Sheet, and Profit and Loss Statement dated June 10, 2023 as presented.  All aye.

Moved by McGehee        Seconded by Fancher

to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:48 p.m.  All aye.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Fsy-3imPfCoJzJYNhjFsJOiAY8Rk4k_d/edit