Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council Met July 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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

Alderman Greg Houtzel led council in Pledge of Allegiance.

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 Water Operator Tyler Martin, Seth & Travis Hull from Hull Brothers Construction, Assistant Supt. Wayne Link, Mike Friend of Farnsworth Group, Bill Kirby from Gibson Area Hospital, and Andrew Rosten, Ford County Chronicle.

Mayor Daniel Dickey opened the Hearing for the Bond Information Notification Act as required.

Mayor read the information and asked for comments and questions.  There were none.  Hearing closed @ 7:04 p.m.

Alderman Franks moved to approve council Minutes of June 28, 2021, seconded by Alderman Wyant. MC 7-0.

Mayor Dickey recognized visitors:

Bill Kirby from Gibson Area Hospital updated council on plans for the free concert to be held downtown on August 6th.  Food vendors are lined up, they will use 2 pop-up tents, and city will provide up to 10 picnic tables to the area.  Mr. Kirby assured council their group will pick up trash and leave the area as clean as possible. 

Travis Hull asked if council has an update about the Ordinance regarding no go-karts, 4-wheelers to be ridden within city limits.  Mayor Dickey has not had the conversation with Chief Rosendahl and Attorney Marc Miller but will do so when Chief returns from vacation.

City Clerk Jan Hall reported to council that she will start working with Taylor to publish one or two ordinances a week on the city website, and with Gary McCullough at WGCY as public service announcements.  The intent is to bring awareness to current ordinances and hopefully more compliance.  Council expressed support.

No Treasurer or Administrative Reports presented this evening.

No official committee reports, although Alderman Fisher expressed his concern as Ordinance Committee Chairman that Ordinances appear on the agenda without him, and his committee being included. He would like to see committee involvement.

Motion to pay General fund bills in the amount of $168,011.21 was made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 7-0.

Motion to pay 3 checks from TIF 2 fund in the amount of $1,318.99 was made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Wyant, motion approved 6-0. Alderman Houtzel abstained due to owning property in TIF 2 area.

Agenda Item A – Attorney Marc Miller provided council a memo with options on how to deal with the request from CW3M Environmental Consulting to pass an Ordinance dealing with an area of underground storage tank remediation.  Mayor requested a motion to table this until we can further discuss with the attorney and find out more details on the property.  Motion was made to Table this item by Alderman Wyant, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, Motion Carried unanimously.

Agenda Item B Country Kettle submitted a request for a Business Façade Grant for parking lot improvements at their restaurant, 810 S. Sangamon Avenue.  Motion was made by Alderman Fisher to approve their request and grant the maximum of $5,000 based on their bid of over $50,000.  (The program maxes out at matching funds up to $5,000.) 2nd made by Alderman Franks, motion carried 7-0.

Agenda Item C-Hull Brothers Contracting LLC, located at 1880 West 1st Street submitted a request for a Business Façade Grant to help pay to replace two front garage doors on their building.  3 bids were submitted, the low bid was from The Door Doctor, amount $5,137.40.  Motion made by Alderman Davis to approve 50%, or $2,568.70 toward their improvement, 2nd made by Alderman Wyant, motion carried 6-0. 

Agenda Item D- Supt. Stauffer explained the bid from Britton Electronics & Automation, Inc.  This bid is to upgrade/replace antennas and radios for the Water Treatment Plant.  This has been discussed for several months and is an integral part of the overall upgrades planned.  Alderman Wyant made the motion to approve the bid as presented in the amount of $18,750.00 to be paid from TIF 2.  2nd made Alderman Celeschi. Motion carried 6-0, with Alderman Houtzel abstaining due to owning property in TIF 2.

Agenda Item E- Mayor Dickey asked if council had received and reviewed Ordinance # 2021-O-09, Amending Chapter 1, Article II, Division X of the Revised Code of Ordinances to Create the Position of Street & Alley Superintendent. Mayor explained that with Supt. Stauffer retiring at the end of July, his position is being divided into 3 separate positions: Water Superintendent, Wastewater Superintendent, and Street & Alley Superintendent.  Motion was made by Alderman Davis to approve passage of Ordinance 2021-O-09, creating the Street & Alley Superintendent position as presented. 2nd made by Alderman Wyant. Motion carried 6-1, Alderman Fisher cast the no vote.

Agenda Item F Motion to enter Executive session to discuss hiring personnel.  2nd by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 7-0, council entered Executive Session.

Agenda Item G Motion to return to regular session made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Houtzel, motion carried 7-0 and Council returned to open session–

Agenda Item H Mayor Dickey made the appointment of Assistant Superintendent Wayne Link to be hired as Superintendent of Streets & Alleys, as an hourly employee, receiving a $2.50 increase in his current wages, and reporting to Personnel Committee monthly during the 12-month probationary period.  Motion was made by Alderman Wyant to approve Mayor appointment as stated, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, motion carried 5-2 with Aldermen Franks and Fisher casting the no votes. 

Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, all in favor, meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

http://www.gibsoncityillinois.com/images/July_12_2021_reg_minutes.docx