Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council Met July 13.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

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

Alderman Denis Fisher led council in Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:   Ward #1 Susan Tongate, Present; Greg Houtzel, Absent

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, Treasurer Scott Shull, Street & Alley Superintendent Wayne Link, Water Operator Tyler Martin

Mayor Daniel Dickey opened the meeting and turned it over to Finance Chairman Scott Davis to guide council through review of the 2021-22 Fiscal Year Budget.

Alderman Davis guided the council through the review of each department’s budget and answered questions / discussed all question or concerns.

The understanding that even with specific line items, ‘big ticket’ items are to be brought to full council, discussed, and voted on before purchases are approved.

There are major repairs to be made at City Hall, such as repair of the clocktower, redecorating Mayor’s office due to water damage, recoating of the roof, new central air conditioning system, new carpet, and possible others that may arise.

Page 9, Health Light & Nuisance has the entire amount budgeted for the Ameren Transformer, and a letter to Harvest Fest and Gibson Area Hospital shall be sent to remind them of the agreement to split this cost with the city. 

Page 10, line 735 needs to read ‘Farnsworth’ rather than ‘Donahue’ for the engineering on West Street and West 10th Street by Hearthside.

Page 11, line 763 $85K for a spray patcher is still to be discussed and approved by council.

Page 12, Police budget – we received $140K+ from federal government to assist with salaries. New police vehicle has already been voted upon and approved and covered within this budget. Very important upgrade will be purchase of new portable repeaters as a safety measure.

Page 14, Forestry was greatly reduced due to most of the Ash Tree damage has been completed. 

MFT – Motor Fuel Tax fund – Alderman Davis explained that this is the city portion of sales tax on gasoline that we receive from the state. Due to restrictions requiring engineering on all MFT projects, we tend to let this balance grow and save it for a major project.

TIF 3 is at the south end of town and considered a ‘Jobs’ TIF, but not restricted to jobs.

Page 20 – Parks -the line item of $150K should be reduced to $110K and TIF 2 funds will also be used on various North Park projects, tennis court painting and lights, etc.

Line Item 763, trash cans & benches for downtown are ‘on the fringe’ of necessity according to Alderman Davis and will be discussed and voted upon before ordering.

TIF 2 Fund, the bonding of up to $7.5 million is included, and noted that it will be set up as a ‘draw-down’ as needed rather than borrowing more than needed.

Water Department has been ‘in the red’ for a few years and it is recommended that the water rates and meter rates be increased.  After discussion, it is agreed upon that the increase should be voted upon within the next month if possible.  According to Mayor Dickey, ‘utilities are to pay for themselves, and we should pass the increases and work on periodic automatic increases.

Line item 760 should be changed to $40K, down from $75K.

Superintendent Tyler Martin explained the need to loop water lines to keep the flow moving and plans to see that as many as possible are looped by the end of the year.

Alderman Davis closed the meeting after all questions were answered.  Administrative Assistant Peg Stalter will make the changes as directed by council and forward to Attorney Marc Miller for preparation to pass Budget and Appropriations at the last regular council meeting in July 2021.

Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Fisher, 2nd by Alderman Franks, all in favor, 8:15 p.m.

http://www.gibsoncityillinois.com/images/July_13_2021_Special_council_minutes.docx