Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council Met June 28.

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, Present

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

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

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

Others present: Administrator Peg Stalter, City Superintendent Randy Stauffer, Chief Adam Rosendahl, Water Operator Tyler Martin, Assistant Supt. Wayne Link, Mike Friend of Farnsworth Group, Travis Hull of Hull Brothers Contracting, Dale & Billie Jo Denny for Ed Day Memorial Skatepark, Aaron Kafer of Kafer Ag, and Andrew Rosten, Ford County Chronicle.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Alderman Michelle Celeschi.

Alderman Franks moved to approve council Minutes of June 14, 2021, seconded by Alderman Tongate. MC 7-0.

Mayor Dickey recognized visitors:

Travis Hull introduced himself as owner of a newly purchased business property at Jordan Industrial Park. His business is 1880 West 1st Street, directly west of DCT Trucking and south of Jordan Pond. Mr. Hull informed council that he and his brother own and operate their business, and they are making many needed repairs and improvements to their recently purchased property and building. Mr. Hull stressed that he and his brother are very family oriented in business, and while working often their children are with them at this site. On two occasions, the GC police have come to remind them that 4-wheelers are not to be ridden within city limits. Mr. Hull cited Ordinance #25-7-4 and Chief Rosendahl agreed that the ordinance needs clarification, as it cites ‘not within city limits’, but goes on to cite ‘within residential zoning’. Mayor Dickey asked Chief Rosendahl to speak with City Attorney Marc Miller to receive clarification and report back to council.

No Treasurer or Administrative Reports presented this evening.

No Committee Reports.

Under old business, discussion of items B & C, regarding sewer separation work and vacation of alley at Kafer Ag, 628 S. Sangamon, were discussed.

A map and materials amounts were presented, and council discussed splitting the costs of material with Mr. Kafer, with the city providing the labor. Materials costs were presented at a total of $2,946.50. Straw poll of council favored a cost share of $1,500 from each, city and Kafer, with labor supplied by the city, and recommend moving forward with the city attorney to draw up the appropriate notice for publication. All hopes are to have this finalized by the end of July.

Motion to pay general fund bills in the amount of $75,301.16 was made by Alderman Fisher, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, motion approved 6 yes, Alderman Wyant abstained due to having invoices from Precision Plastics in the bills to be paid.

In new business, Alderman Tongate discussed the costs of installing the same blue rubberized surface at the Skatepark areas that Rotary has installed at North Park. If done at the same time as the new Rotary project, the cost at the Skatepark for the blue material installed is $23,018.00. Skatepark Committee has $9,300 remaining to put toward this item; the Presbyterian Church offered a donation of $5,000, leaving the city portion at $8,518.00 if approved. Alderman Tongate made a motion to approve the City portion not to exceed $8,600 from TIF 2 or the Parks Fund, for this project, 2nd made by Alderman Fisher. Motion approved 6 yes, with Alderman Houtzel abstaining due to owning property in TIF 2.

Chief Rosendahl – requested approval to purchase a new police vehicle to replace the 2012 Chevrolet Impala currently driven by Officer Nelson, which has 89K miles on it. Chief suggested that the state quote for the Ford Explorer is his choice, at a cost not to exceed $37,000.00. The old vehicle will be sold online under sealed bid. Alderman Wyant made a motion to approve purchase of the new Ford Explorer at a cost not to exceed $37,000, 2nd by Alderman Houtzel. Motion approved 7-0.

Water Operator Tyler Martin reported to council that 12 fire hydrants need to be replaced. He presented a cost sheet from Water Products Bloom. Alderman Davis as Finance Chairman stated there is $23,000 in the budget for this, and Tyler explained the city has 2 hydrants in their inventory now, needing to order a total of 10 more. Because 4 of the hydrants are in TIF 2, the motion can be split to break out the costs. Motion by Alderman Davis to approve purchase of 6 new fire hydrants at a cost not to exceed $15,000 from the line item in Water budget. 2nd made by Alderman Tongate; motion passed 7-0. Alderman Davis then made a motion to purchase 4 new hydrants from TIF 2 account, not to exceed $9,000. 2nd by Alderman Tongate. Motion passed 6 yes, with Alderman Houtzel abstaining due to owning property in TIF 2.

Water Supt. Martin – informed council of a need to purchase the chlorine restructure with dual system for the Water Treatment Plant. He stated that this is a necessity and has been recommended by city engineers. The price was obtained from Water Solutions Unlimited, at a total of $9,283.35. Alderman Wyant made the motion to approve this purchase as recommended at a cost not to exceed $9,300.00, to be paid from TIF 2 funds. 2nd by Alderman Davis, motion approved with 6 yes, Alderman Houtzel abstaining do to owning property in TIF 2.

Next item needed at the Water Treatment Plant if a new control panel for the waste lift-station. This item comes from Bodine Electric at a cost of $8,000.00. Alderman Wyant made the motion to approve the purchase as recommended from Bodine’s at a cost not to exceed $8,000.00, to be paid from TIF 2 funds. 2nd made by Alderman Celeschi, motion approved with 6 yes, Alderman Houtzel abstaining do to owning property in TIF 2.

Last item on the Agenda for the Water Treatment Plant is purchase and installation of Air Conditioning unit. Price submitted from Riddle Repair, GC, $7,523.00, and available to start installation next week. Tyler explained that this is not for comfort as much as it is to preserve equipment and structure by eliminating the humidity that causes the damage from rust, paint peel, excess humidity, etc. Motion to approve made by Alderman Wyant, at a cost not to exceed $7,600.00 to be paid from TIF 2 funds. 2nd by Alderman Fisher, motion approved with 6 yes, Alderman Houtzel abstaining do to owning property in TIF 2.

Mayor Dickey asked City Clerk Jan Hall to read a letter he received at tonight’s meeting. The letter was from Superintendent Stauffer, tendering his retirement effective July 30, 2021. Council thanked Superintendent Stauffer for his years of service.

Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, all in favor, meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

http://www.gibsoncityillinois.com/images/Minutes_Monday_June_28_2021.docx