City okays agreement with PTHS

An agreement with Pontiac Township High School for the shared use of facilities was authorized by the Pontiac City Council Monday evening.

The city wanted to make sure things were clear on their end and the school’s end. The city maintains the recreation center while the school maintains the swimming pool.

“The main thing really is keeping the lines of communication open between each other,” explained Pontiac City Administrator Jim Woolford.

One item discussed that was not in the agreement was the new tennis courts. Public use is still being talked about for the courts.

Council member Barb Howard made the motion to approve the agreement with PTHS.

A declaration of surplus equipment was approved. Sewer Superintendent Brad Duncan described surplus items such as a 1976 loader the city has owned for a long time. This was replaced with a new loader a few years ago. While it runs, it does not get enough use, according to Duncan.

“We have another one that’s more capable,” said Duncan.

Duncan also wants to sell the 2009 Bobcat gas utility cart which was later replaced by a Gator. While the motor is leaking, it does function.

The street department also has surplus property including mowers.

Council member Michael Barr gave a Finance and Administration Committee report on a recent meeting which took place Oct. 28. A tourism attraction grant was discussed for the development of attractions and events.

“There are no new projects planned,” stated Barr.

They heard an award has been made but it has not shown up on the portal. E-bikes and scooters were also mentioned by the committee, which believes use of vehicles on the path is ok but not on the swinging bridges.

“The city is going to update signage at Play Park to be clearer,” added Barr.

Mayor Eckhoff noted the Pontiac FFA team will be recognized at the next City Council meeting since they were honored as finalists for the Model of Excellence Chapter which is only given to a few teams in the U.S.

Eckhoff said the Christmas holiday decorating contest will be announced soon and that she has met with the North Central Illinois Council of Governments. This team can help Pontiac with grants.

It was revealed Pontiac’s Last Nite program received an award for the organization category. Council member Anna Hoerner encouraged everyone to get buttons now at County Market or City Hall for this year’s Last Nite celebration on New Year’s Eve.

Mayor Eckhoff urged residents to be mindful of heavy traffic in the area of Elm and Indiana this Saturday as there is a playoff football game at the high school and a vendor market at the Rec Center.

Eckhoff shared information from a resident who contacted her upset with the street sweeping schedule and concerned over taxes. She said with so many miles of streets, it is impossible to keep them clean all of the time.

“I want everyone to understand we are trying to do as much as we can.”

She pointed to this person’s tax bill being less than the average cell phone bill for a year and highlighted the services offered by the city including access to community parks, a community center, library and snow plowed streets.

Administrator Woolford presented an update on the Central Illinois Land Bank which is a downstate group Pontiac belongs to. The group has a goal of helping to address housing issues. They are applying for grants to get rehabilitation money to spread out among the membership.

“They’ve been working with us to try and come up with a resolution for the warden’s house,” said Woolford. “We donated two lots to them to be used as an incentive for developers to build houses here in town.”

The group intends to hire a lobbyist to secure state and federal funding.

Consent agenda items approved included Oct. 19 meeting minutes, payment of bills from all funds totaling $457,149.80 and referring a Planned Unit Development to the Planning and Zoning Board for 603 S. Deerfield Road.

Council members entered an executive session for personnel, though no action was expected.