Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met May 24.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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

Roll Call:

Ward #1 Susan Tongate, Present; Greg Houtzel, Absent

Ward #2 Randy Wyant, Present; Aaron Franks, Absent

Ward #3 Scott Davis, Present; Michelle Celeschi, Present 

Ward #4 Dennis Pardick, Absent; Denis Fisher, Absent

Others present: Assist. Administrator Peg Stalter, City Superintendent Randy Stauffer, Treasurer Scott Shull, Chief Adam Rosendahl, Mike Friend of Farnsworth Group, Will Gray of Donohue & Associates, Mark Petersen of Sand Trap, Gary Voss of Voss Marketing and Becky Purtz of WPXN. 

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Tongate.

Approval of Council Minutes for May 10th, 2021 Alderman Tongate moved to approve the minutes seconded by Alderman Davis. MC 4-0.

Mayor Dickey recognized visitors:

Mark Petersen of the Sand Trap requested to change the date for the Joe Hafer benefit, to Sunday June 13, 2021.  Council and Mayor had previously approved the Special Liquor License for this event and agree to this change of date for this event.  

Gary Voss of Voss Marketing and Becky Purtz, of WPXN addressed council with a plan to consider the hiring Voss Marketing to create a sales slogan/branding/jingle for advertising for Gibson City.  Mr. Voss works with Creative Director Nick Sibley, and they produce a sales slogan that the City would purchase for a cost of $3200.  They will work with the client until all are satisfied.  Often Voss Marketing works with radio stations, and he will be in touch with McCulloughs at WGCY. The City will own the jingle, and it can be used in conjunction with advertising our growing number of local events.  No money is requested at this time.  Council agreed unanimously to proceed with Mr. Voss.  

Treasurer Scott Shull presented the April 2021 monthly report. (see attached)

Administrative Assistant Peggy Stalter reported that water meters are being read this week.

APPROVAL OF BILLS: 

A. TIF2 check – Alderman Davis moved to approve payment of check in the amount of $3,233.75; second by Alderman Tongate. MC 4-0. 

B. TIF3 check – Alderman Wyant made the motion to approve payment of TIF3- check in the amount of $3,233.75; second by Alderman Celeschi. MC 3-0 Alderman Davis abstained because he owns property in TIF 3. 

C. General Fund checks – Alderman Davis made the motion to approve payment of $122,498.17 in general fund check, Alderman Wyant made the second, motion approved as presented and passed 4-0.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Alderman Susie Tongate reported:

*Pool Board met last week and are meeting again this Wednesday evening to review and finalize plans for opening this year.  Noted that the Presbyterian Church donated $5000 to the pool board to help with opening expenses. 

*Parks, Buildings and Technology Committee – met on May 17th.  A bid of $2,750 was received from Beth Sennet to update the city website.  Aldermen Tongate and Celeschi are going to meet with City Administrative Assistants to review the website, obtain the information needed, and determine if they may be able to assist and save the City some money.

*One bid was received for repaving of the tennis courts, waiting on at least a second bid before a recommendation to act.

*Skate Park Committee met – they have a list of needs to complete the Ed Day Skate Park, such as grass seed, benches, some type of material to fill the open dirt area that lies in the center.  Hopes are to use the same soft material that Rotary has used at North Park, but at this time the Skate Park budget cannot afford that material.  They will work with the Superintendent regarding seeding, etc.

*Gibson City Rotary presented a project for the NW corner of North Park.  They would like to remove the shrubbery and plants and replace with a climbing frame for children.  Originally, they wanted to replace the log cabin that was removed from the park, but safety limitations no longer allow that structure.  

*Presbyterian Church is recognized for making various donations throughout the community, and most recently they have coordinated with Railside Golf Course owners and created community garden plots that can be rented at the Golf Course.  

Alderman Randy Wyant reported that the Water/Sewer Committee met last week and listened to Mr. Gary Hartman review his report and analysis of the City Water and Wastewater plants. At this time, the committee recommended that the City move forward with keeping our utilities and hiring Donohue & Associates to provide an in-depth task order of the needed improvements and repairs.

No action taken on the Old Business items.

Agenda Item B: Supt. Stauffer explained the reason for the Change Order.  Various utilities, natural gas, cable, and fiber optic installed lines after the original CSO plan was designed.  To simplify the sewer separation plan, the location changed, triggering the Change Order. Alderman Wyant made the Motion to approve the Change Order No. 1, on CSO Phase 5, in the amount of $13,117.07.  Second was made by Alderman Davis.  Motion carried 4-0.

Agenda Item C: Pay Request submitted in the amount of $460,861.22 was presented and explained by Will Gray of Donohue & Associates.  Mr. Gray explained that a small portion of funds is held back for final payment until after Supt. Stauffer and he can make a final punch list for completion by the contractor.  They hope to do that this week.  Alderman Wyant made the motion to approve the Pay Request as presented in the amount of $460,861.22.  Second was made by Alderman Davis, noting that the funds are to come from the Sewer fund. Motion carried 4-0.

Agenda Item D – Consideration of approval of an Engineering Agreement with Donohue & Associates in the amount of $61,000.00.  The Agreement details a plan of action for repairs and improvements, as explained by Will Gray, in a ‘three-pronged’ approach.  Plans focus on the wells, water distribution and treatment, and a new hydrant flushing plan as recommended by Mr. Hartman.  Mayor Dickey stated he would like to see this paid from TIF, and City Attorney Marc Miller suggested it can be paid with TIF funds to the extent allowable by law. Administrative Assistant Peggy Stalter advised council the amount used in these cases has been 49%.  Motion was made by Alderman Davis to enter the Engineering Agreement as presented at a cost of $61,000, with a portion paid as allowable from TIF funds, the remainder to come from the General Fund.  Second was made by Alderman Wyant.  Motion carried 4-0.

Motion made by Alderman Wyant to enter Executive Session pursuant to 5ILCS 12/02 (c) (1) For the Limited Purpose to Consider Employment and Compensation of One or More City Employees, Second by Tongate.  Motion carried 4-0.

Council returned to regular session and discussed available meeting dates for a regular council meeting via ‘Zoom’ for the purpose of approving wage adjustments and a possible hire.  Date agreed upon is Tuesday, June 1st at 7:00 p.m. 

Adjourn: Alderman Tongate moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:50 p.m.; second by Alderman Davis, Motion carried 4-0, meeting adjourned.

http://www.gibsoncityillinois.com/images/Minutes_Monday_May_24-2021.docx