Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met October 23. 

Here is the minutes as provided by the council:

Call to order at 7:00 pm by Mayor Daniel E. Dickey.

Roll Call:        Ward #1           Susan Tongate, present; Brandon Roderick, absent

                        Ward #2           Randy Wyant, present; Nelda Jordan, present

                        Ward #3           Doug Parsons, present; Scott Davis, present

                        Ward #4           Dennis Pardick, absent; Laura Miller, present

 Others present: City Attorney Marc Miller, Admin. Assistant Peg Stalter, City Superintendent Randy Stauffer, Ross Brown (WGCY and Ford County Record), Officer Kaleb Kraft, Tom Barrow, Marty Nuss (IPG Insurance), Deb McCullough (WGCY radio), Daton Getty (Getty LawnCare), Aaron Golden (IMLRMA), Bev Cole, Sarah Eyre, Abby Spiller, Tom Davis, Deb Davis, Scot Medlin (WCIA TV).

.Pledge of Allegiance: led by Tom Davis.

Approval of Council Minutes: Alderman Laura Miller motioned to approve the minutes of October 9, 2017; seconded by Alderman Doug Parsons. MC 6-0. 

Mayor Dickey recognized visitors: 1.) Bev Cole of 412 E 3rd Street reported that the tree in her yard is making a mess with branches encroaching on her roof. She is asking the council again that the tree, which is on city property, be cut down. She is willing to pay for its removal and will plant a new tree. Mayor Dickey referred this request to the Street and Alley Committee for consideration, 2.) Tom Barrow reported that 125 of the 325 ash trees scheduled to be removed have been removed and some new trees have been planted. Alderman Scott Davis said that grants have been awarded for this project in other communities and that he will look into the grant requirements and report back to the council. 3.) Alderman Laura Miller on behalf of the VFW Ladies asked permission to sell poppies on Nov. 11th on the corner of Sangamon and 8th Street from 9 am to 11 am. Council approved the request.

Treasurer’s Report: No report. The September Financial report was emailed to all council members for their review.    

 Administrative Report: Admin Assistant Peg Stalter reported that this year's ‘Trick or Treat’ hours will be on October 31st from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. The council made these hours permanent as of 2015.

 Committee Reports:

Ordinance Committee – Alderman Nelda Jordan offered no report.

Street and Alley –Alderman Doug offered no report.

Police/Health, Light and Nuisance – Alderman Brandon Roderick offered no report. Officer Kaleb Kraft offered no report.

Finance Committee –Alderman Scott Davis offered no report.

Personnel Committee – Alderman Dennis Pardick offered no report.

Water and Sewer – Alderman Randy Wyant offered no report. He commented that the newly painted water tower looks good with the Falcon added.

Parks / Buildings / Technology – Alderman Susie Tongate reported the city ‘app’ is closed to being released and that she is working out details with ‘Google’.

Economic/Industrial Development – Alderman Laura Miller offered no report.

Old Business: 

A. Consideration of IML Intergovernmental Cooperation Contract (Ordinance 2017-O-15). Erin Golden, representing IML Risk Management Assoc. was present to answer any questions concerning this agreement. He explained that 460 current villages and communities are currently in the pool to cover claims that might arise at an increase of 3% over last year. Alderman Scott Davis motioned to approve Ordinance 2017-O-15 as presented; 2nd by Alderman Randy Wyant. MC 6-0.  

B. Discussion, consideration and approval of Terry Overman Downtown Grant Application. Mr. Overman presented an itemized list of improvements as requested by the council at its last meeting. Council was divided on how to pay for the work, since Mr. Overman is a self-employed contractor, and would do the work himself. Mayor Dickey reported that it had not been council policy to pay for labor done by the property owner, although it was not necessarily stated in the ordinance. Alderman Laura Miller felt that that the labor costs were too high and Alderman Nelda Jordan stated that she did not think it was necessary for the city to pay Overman for working on his own building. Alderman Laura Miller motioned to approve the Overman grant application for a total not to exceed $4212.50 ($2825.00 for materials and $1387.50 for labor) with all bills to be presented prior to payment; 2nd by Alderman Randy Wyant. MC 5-1. Alderman Nelda Jordan voted against and Aldermen Dennis Pardick and Brandon Roderick were absent.

 Approval of Bills:

A. TIF #2 bills --Three (3) bills totaling $ 70,436.73.  Alderman Susie Tongate motioned to approve payment of the 3 TIF2 bills; second by Alderman Nelda Jordan. MC 6-0. 

B. General Fund Bills totaling $ 129,138.42. Alderman Scott Davis motioned to approve payment of the general bills; second by Alderman Doug Parsons. MC 6-0. Checks 45842-45845 were voided.

 New Business: 

A.) Consideration pf Mayor’s Appointment of Abigail Spiller as Junior Alderman. Alderman Scott Davis motioned to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Abigail Spiller as Junior Alderman; 2nd by Alderman Susie Tongate. MC 6-0.  City Clerk Carla Moxley issued the oath of office to Abby and asked her to take her assigned seat. The council congratulated Ms. Spiller. .

B.) Discussion, Consideration and Approval of Co-op Advertising with WCIA-TV.  Scott Medlin of WCIA-TV was present asking for $3000.00 for advertising for the holiday season, with commercials and messages to feature local businesses around the Lighted Holiday Parade on Nov. 18th. Mr. Medlin said that messages would be placed on all three of Nexstar’s media platforms (WCIA-TV, WCIX-TV and IllinoisHomePage.net) and would highlight what the city has to offer. Mayor Dickey suggested that the city’s new mobile app be included in its tagline. Council noted that last year, WCIA received $2000.00 and WGCY radio received $750.00 for advertising. Deb McCullough requested $1000.00 for this year.  Alderman Doug Parsons motioned to approve $3000.00 to WCIA-TV and $1000.00 to WGCY-radio from the marketing line item for Holiday advertising; 2nd by Alderman Susie Tongate. MC 6-0.

C.) Discussion, consideration and Approval of Humana Health Insurance Contract renewal. Marti Nuss of IPG was present to review the renewal contract by way of a handout with illustrations and comparisons. He said that the city’s plan is a transitional Affordable Care Act plan and is not under complete ACA guidelines.  Humana is requesting an 8% increase, although IPG is in negotiations to try to reduce that amount. The life insurance has a slight increase, the medical portion a 4% increase. Alderman Scott Davis motioned to approve the renewal of the Humana Health Insurance Contract; 2nd by Alderman Nelda Jordan.  MC 6-0.

D.) Discussion, consideration and approval of Cash Rent Farm Lease with Zack Bunting. Superintendent Randy Stauffer reported that Zack Bunting wants to keep the contract and is offering $255.00 per acre (29 acres) for 3 years. This item will be considered at the next meeting.

E.) Discussion, Consideration and Approval of Gibson Area Golf, LLC Grant Application. This item was withdrawn for consideration by the council.

F.) Discussion, Consideration and approval to Purchase Signs to Advertise the new ‘City of Gibson App’. Alderman Susie Tongate had asked for 2 bids to consider. Joe Durham entered a bid of $1500.00 for multiple 18by24 campaign-style signs and 8.5 by 11 store window sign and several large road signs that could be placed at city limits. Superintendent Stauffer said that it would be nearly impossible to place  large signs by the highways because the state would not allow it. Alderman Randy Wyant motioned to approve a total not to exceed $1500.00 from marketing for signs to advertise the new city app and to accept the lowest bid; 2nd by Alderman Susie Tongate. MC 6-0.

G.) Discussion, consideration and approval of CSO Storm Sewer Phase 3B Change orders. Superintendent Stauffer explained Change orders 001 and 002 and answered any questions of the council. Alderman Scott Davis motioned to approve change order 001 for $4361.72 for time and materials and change order 002 for $5425.00 for added materials needed to be placed at city limits along the highways. ; 2nd by Alderman Nelda Jordan. MC 6-0. 

H.) Discussion, consideration and approval of Ordinance 2017-O-16, amending the revised code of Ordinance to change the license and inspection fees for Garbage Hauler. Alderman Susie Tongate motioned to approve Ordinance 2017-O-16 as presented, eliminating the inspection fee; 2nd by Alderman Doug Parsons. MC 6-0. 

I.) Discussion, consideration and approval of Tax Levy Ordinance of the City of Gibson City, IL for 2017-2018. Attorney Marc Miller reported that there is no increase in the Levy and asked council members to review this Ordinance before the next meeting.

 Announcements/Comments: none

.Adjourn: Alderman Laura Miller motioned to adjourn; seconded by Alderman Susie Tongate. Council was poled with 6 ayes/ 0 objections.

http://www.gibsoncityillinois.com/images/Minutes_Monday_October_23_-2017.doc