Kankakee Times

City of Gilman City Council met Dec. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The regular meeting of the city council was called to order by Mayor Theesfeld. The council responding to roll call were: Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, and Bachman aye. Clerk Kraft, Treasurer Boudreau, and Iroquois County Sheriff Clint Perzee were also present.

Moved by McGehee Seconded by Bachman

to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held on November 11, 2024. Votes were taken: Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, and Bachman aye.

Moved by Kraft Seconded by Bachman

to approve Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Statement dated December 9, 2024. Votes were taken: Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, and Bachman aye.

Mayor Theesfeld stated Sheriff Clint Perzee was present to speak regarding the proposed contract with the city which includes a10% increase in cost.

Iroquois County Sheriff Clint Perzee addressed the council regarding the proposed Law Enforcement Services Agreement with the City of Gilman. He stated the city’s contract includes a full-service police department that includes radio mandates, vehicles, and officers with special trainings including sexual assault. He has worked with the county finance department to come up with the cost of each deputy being $109,000 which covers uniforms, equipment, vehicle equipment, salary, insurance, certifications, patrol hours, and travel for investigations. He stated that Cissna Park and Buckley are in contract with Iroquois County Sheriff’s Dept.

Alderman Eimen stated that even without a new contract the county deputies must handle all calls dispatched to Gilman. He asked what the benefits of having 40 hours of police protection are and stated that it is not for crime prevention. The cost of equipment and training is being used throughout the county and does not just benefit the City of Gilman. The city has asked five times for officers to take action in regards to golf carts and they have not. There is a safety issue with underage drivers on golf carts. State law states it is illegal for those without drivers licenses to operate them, and officers have not been respondent. He is in favor of a contract with the county but not the increase of the cost proposed.

Mayor Theesfeld stated he is not in favor of the proposed contract cost or approval of contract at tonight’s meeting; however, the city would be willing to negotiate at a lower rate.

Alderman Kraft stated it was discussed at the finance committee meeting that a 3.5 to 4% increase would be ideal but a 5% onetime increase on a 2-year contract could be acceptable.

Eimen stated that a Truth in Taxation hearing was held for Iroquois County and taxes were going up almost 13%.

Mayor Theesfeld stated there will be a special council meeting set before the end of the year to approve an amended ordinance regarding a parcel number that was inadvertently omitted from a recently approved TIF III ordinance. The error was found during preparation for a TIF III meeting with Incobrasa Industries. The special meeting of council is tentatively set for Thurs 19th at 4:00 p.m.

Moved by McGehee Seconded by Kraft

to approve Pay Estimate No.6 to Tenco Excavating, Inc of $37,467.29 for the 3rd & Maple Roadway Improvement Project. Votes were taken: Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, and Bachman aye.

Moved by McGehee Seconded by Kraft

to approve the Independent Auditor’s Report Financial Statements for the year ended April 30, 2024 for submission to the Illinois State Comptroller FY 2024 Annual Tax increment Finance Report. Votes were taken: Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, and Bachman aye.

Mayor Theesfeld stated the land purchased by Iroquois Farmers State Bank from the city did not pass a soil compaction test, and the sidewalk needed to be replaced as well and the driveway widened. He said it would be a good gesture to reimburse IFSB $10,000 for additional costs. He stated they are within the new TIF III District so the city will be recouping some of that money through the tax increase on the property value.

Moved by Eimen Seconded by Kraft

to approve a reimbursement to Iroquois Farmers State Bank of $10,000 for additional costs incurred on the land purchase from the City of Gilman. Votes were taken: Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, and Bachman aye.

Alderman McGehee remarked that the solicitors who were recently in town selling gas and electricity were too pushy and asked if they had to renew their permits every day. Mayor Theesfeld responded that they had paid for permits for a week. He stated we cannot stop solicitors from getting the proper permits but residents can put a No Solicitors sign at their door, if they do not want them to come.

Mayor Theesfeld addressed the council regarding the renewal of two Certificates of Deposit at Prospect Bank and suggested additional funds be added to them both. He also would like to open two additional CDs for the Motor Fuel Tax and IMRF accounts.

Moved by McGehee Seconded by Kraft

to approve renewal of the two Certificates of Deposit (CD) and open two additional CDs at Prospect Bank for a term of 90 days at 3.54%:

1) transfer $250,000 from the General checking account to add to the renewing General CD of $750,000 plus interest earned,

2) transfer $25,000 from the Water & Storm checking to the renewing Water & Storm CD of $100,000 plus interest earned,

3) transfer $75,000 from the Motor Fuel Tax checking to a new MFT CD, and

4) transfer $50,000 from the IMRF checking account to a new IMRF CD. Votes were taken: Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, and Bachman aye.

Moved by Kraft Seconded by McGehee

to approve the bills as they were presented dated December 9, 2024. Votes were taken: Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, and Bachman aye.

Mayor Theesfeld stated there was damage done to the fence at the sewer plant the day after the last meeting. A car drove through the fence and gate doing $7,629 worth of damage. A Plus Home Improvement -Tousignant will be doing the repair but needs payment of 50% before they will start. The driver did have Allstate insurance and a check has been issued to the city.

Moved by Kraft Seconded by McGehee

to approve payment to A Plus Home Improvement- Toussaint of $3,814.50 for fence repair at the sewer plant. Vote was taken: Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, and Bachman aye.

Moved by McGehee Seconded by Bachman

to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:54 p.m. Vote was taken: Fancher aye, Eimen aye, McGehee aye, Kraft aye, and Bachman aye.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yCLYxSNl8MdR1MUoQkNo7YUbtQPQpmFJ/edit