Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met June 11. 

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; Greg Houtzel, present

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

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

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

Jr Alderman Abby Spiller, absent; Jr. Alderman Mady Schutte, present

Others present: City Attorney Marc Miller, Admin. Assistant Peg Stalter, City Superintendent Randy Stauffer, Police Chief Adam Rosendahl, Ross Brown (Ford County Record and WGCY), Mike Friend (Farnsworth), Steve Anderson and Denny Troyer (American Legion), Daton Getty (Getty Landscape), Miranda Leonard (Gibson City Youth Baseball), Billie Jo and Dale Denny (Day Skate Park), Gary Lutterbie (Jordan Pond), Kevin Seymour, Heidi and Katja Walls, Kloey Lewis, and Nicole Miller.

Pledge of Allegiance: led by Alderman Laura Miller.

Approval of Council Minutes: Alderman Nelda Jordan motioned to approve the regular council minutes of May 29, 2018; seconded by Alderman Dennis Pardick. MC 6-0.

Alderman Susie Tongate motioned to approve the minutes of the May 31 Special Council meeting; second by Alderman Greg Houtzel. MC 6-0. Aldermen Doug Parsons and Randy Wyant were absent.

Mayor Dickey recognized visitors: 1.) Mike Friend of Farnsworth was making his monthly visit and presented to the council the current Farnsworth Group Inc. General Services Overview. 2.) Miranda Leonard, representing GC Youth Baseball, requested that the West Park be named for Roy Roemer, Gibson City’s #1 Fan of Youth Sports. She has acquired 200 signatures to add Mr. Roemer’s name to the West Park field. Mayor Dickey said that this item will be discussed further at the next meeting and will propose a resolution. 3.) Steve Anderson of the American Legion requested permission to cook out on Friday nights for the Cruise Gibson City event. The council approved. He also requested to shut down 9th street between the Legion and Ace Hardware on August 1 for a special event, obtain a 1 day outdoor liquor license for the event, and asked for the city to bring up picnic tables for the event. Council will discuss this item and the special liquor license at the next meeting. 4.) Dale and Billie Jo Denny of the Ed Day Skate Park committee reported that 1 winner of the Queen of Hearts recently won $9000.00 in the drawing and donated a portion of his winnings back to the fund. A new Queen of Hearts pot is now started. They presented a check for the Ed Day Skate Park fund from the Hospital. Mayor Dickey reminded the council that this committee is a city committee. They further asked for clarification as to if any and all funds were to be given to the City, for tracking purposes. Attorney Marc Miller recommended that all funds be transferred into the city’s account. He asked Admin Assist Peg Stalter to contact the city’s audit firm to discuss a transfer of those funds.

Treasurer’s Report: No report.

Administrative Report: Admin Assistant Peg Stalter offered no report.

Committee Reports:

Ordinance Committee – Alderman Nelda Jordan reported on the May 22 committee meeting concerning writing a rabbit ordinance. Discussion involved a $25.00 per year fee, allowing 6 rabbits plus babies and moving the babies out of city limits within 2 months, and to require a permit. Alderman Dennis Pardick suggested that instead of charging an annual fee, to charge a one time fee of $25.00, noting that residents already pay high taxes. Alderman Scott Davis commented that residents currently have rabbits on their property and would not pay the any fee for housing them in the future. The council instructed Attorney Marc Miller to draft a resolution similar to the ‘chicken’ resolution, but to eliminate the $25.00 fee. Ms. Jordan further reported that the committee recommends that Food trucks obtain an application for parking on private property only and conducting business at $20.00 per day or $100.00 per year and would need a special license to operate on City property. Non profit organizations would be exempt. She also noted that Ford County Public Health has good regulations in place already. She also reported that there is a need for a Solar Ordinance, and a review of Utilities, Ordinance Chapter 38 and suggested that Attorney Marc Miller discuss the matter with the Mayor. In an additional matter, Ms. Jordan mentioned an ordinance change proposed earlier by City Superintendent Randy Stauffer that would increase the cost to homeowners requesting a water tap or new water meter to be the entire cost of installation plus 10% of materials. Superintendent told the council that the city is losing money by only charging homeowners for installation costs. No action was taken on any of the discussed items at this time.

Street and Alley –No report.

Police/Health, Light and Nuisance –Police Chief Adam Rosendahl reported that he would like to purchase a fully equipped 2012 Chevy Impala from Atwood for $9000.0, with funds from the Departments budget. Council approved the purchase and will vote on the purchase at the next meeting.

Finance Committee –Alderman Scott Davis reported that his committee is working on the budget and that they are waiting on TIF numbers from the county. He called a meeting for June 21.

Personnel Committee – Alderman Dennis Pardick offered no report, but referred to the executive session at the end of this meeting.

Water and Sewer - No report.

Parks / Buildings / Technology – Alderman Susie Tongate offered no report.

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

Old Business: none

Approval of Bills:

A.) TIF #2 bills---Two (2) TIF #2 bills totaling $657.35. Alderman Laura Miller motioned to approve payment of two (2) TIF #2 bills; second by Alderman Scott Davis. MC 5-0 with Alderman Greg Houtzel abstaining, stating he lives in the TIF. Aldermen Doug Parsons and Randy Wyant were absent.

B.) General Fund Bills totaling $103,904.90. Alderman Scott Davis motioned to approve payment of the general bills; second by Alderman Laura Miller. MC 6-0. Aldermen Doug Parsons and Randy Wyant were absent.

New Business:

A.) Discussion, consideration, and approval of Employment and compensation of 1 or more City Employees. Alderman Dennis Pardick reported that Mark Webster has recently passed his Class 2 wastewater test. Alderman Dennis Pardick motioned to approve a $1.00 per hour raise for Mark Webster retroactive to May 25, 2018, raising his salary to $29.50 per hour; second by Alderman Laura Miller. MC 6-0. Aldermen Doug Parsons and Randy Wyant were absent.

B.) Discussion, Consideration and Approval of 2018 Committee Appointments by Mayor Dickey. Alderman Dennis Pardick motioned to approve the 2018 Committee appointments as presented; second by Alderman Scott Davis. MC 6 ayes/ 0 against. Aldermen Doug Parsons and Randy Wyant were absent.

C.) Consideration of permanent ‘No Parking’ signs on West 10th Street between the RR tracks and West Street. Alderman Susie Tongate motioned to approve Ordinance 2018-O-05 as presented, prohibiting parking on 10th Street next to the West Park and Hearthside Foods; second by Alderman Scott Davis. MC 6 ayes / 0 against. Aldermen Doug Parsons and Randy Wyant were absent.

D.) Consideration of Purchase and Installation of ‘BiG A** Fans’ for North Park Pavilion. Mayor Dickey recommends that 3 -14ft fans be installed at the North Park Pavilion with KK Coating to do the electrical. The fans should be installed within 2-3 weeks and has a 10 year warranty. Alderman Scott Davis motioned to approve the purchase and installation of 3 Big A** Fans in the North Park Pavilion, with funds out of TIF2 and not to exceed $21,000.00 and that KK Coating do the electrical needed; second by Alderman Susie Tongate. MC 5-0, with Greg Houtzel abstaining, stating he lives in the TIF. Aldermen Doug Parsons and Randy Wyant were absent.

E.) Alderman Dennis Pardick motioned to enter into Executive Session for the limited purposes of discussing the 1Earth Energy tax appeal litigation pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(11) and to discuss the employment, compensation and performance of 1 or more city employees pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1); second by Alderman Laura Miller. MC 6-0. Aldermen Doug Parsons and Randy Wyant were absent.

F.) Return to open session for adjournment.

Announcements: none

Adjourn: Alderman Scott Davis motioned to adjourn; seconded by Alderman Laura Miller. Council was poled with 6 ayes/ 0 against. MC

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