Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council Met Aug. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

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

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

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

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

Ward #4Denis Fisher, Present    VACANCY

Others present: Administrator Peg Stalter, Street & Alley Superintendent Wayne Link, Officer Rosenbaum, Mike Friend of Farnsworth Engineers, Mark Petersen & Kelly Simmons – Harvest Committee; Laura Miller, Bradley Duncan – Fairbury, Todd McNutt of MCS; Gwen Crawford of Economic Development Group / Seth & Travis Hull, Ross Brown for Ford County Chronicle.

Alderman Aaron Franks led council in Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Franks moved to approve council Minutes of July 26, 2021, seconded by Alderman Celeschi MC 5-0.

Mayor Dickey recognized visitors:

Seth Hull spoke regarding their continued plea to ask council to reconsider the ruling against “4-wheelers” within city limits, requesting permission in the Industrial Park. Hull presented council with a “Petition to Absolve Noise Complaint” signed by 36 people. City Clerk accepted the petition, no action was taken at this time.

Committee Reports:

Streets & Alleys Chairman Aaron Franks asked Supt. Link to update council. Link presented a written summary and reviewed it orally with council. Supt. Link gave recognition to employee Rob Knerr for doing an exceptional job of cleaning up the Wastewater Treatment Plant facilities.

Ordinance Committee Chairman Denis Fisher reported that his committee met at 5:00 last Wednesday, August 4th and had an ‘energetic’ discussion regarding pros and cons of considering an amendment to permit 4-wheelers to operate within the Industrial Park on private property. Committee decided not to move forward with making changes at this time.

Water & Sewer Committee Chairman Randy Wyant called a committee meeting for Monday, 16th @ 5:00 in council chambers to hear a presentation by Donahue & Associates regarding a possible new well, and consideration of raising water rates.

Wyant also read a written update prepared by Supt. Of Water Treatment Plant, Tyler Martin.

Alderman Franks requested an update on the brick / roof repairs needed at City Hall.

Approval of Bills:

TIF #3 (1 check) $ 9,858.34 Motion to approve by Alderman Fisher, 2nd by Alderman Wyant, MC 4 in favor, with Alderman Davis abstaining due to owning property in TIF 3.

TIF 2 (6 checks) $323,498.28 Motion to approve by Alderman Fisher, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, MC 5-0.

General Fund: $102,777.03 Motion made by Alderman Fisher, 2nd by Alderman Wyant, MC 5-0.

New Business:

Agenda Item A –Mayor Dickey made the appointment of Laura Miller to fill the vacancy in Ward 4 created by Dennis Pardick’s resignation. Alderman Fisher voiced an objection to this appointment stating he felt the voters in Ward 4 made their wishes for change clear in the election when he defeated Ms. Miller, and further, that her property has been the source of complaints to him citing the numerous vehicles appearing inoperable or unlicensed. Mayor Dickey countered and defended his appointment, and at that time Alderman Franks made a motion to table this appointment for further discussion, 2nd by Alderman Fisher. Motion to table failed 3-2, with Wyant, Davis & Celeschi voting no.

Motion to approve Mayoral appointment was made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, MC 3-2, with Aldermen Franks and Fisher voting no.

City Clerk Jan Hall administered the oath of office to Laura Miller, for Ward 4 and she was seated at the council table for the remainder of the meeting.

Agenda Item H Mayor Dickey introduced Brad Duncan of Fairbury to council and requested approval to appointment him as temporary contract worker to be in charge with his licenses at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Duncan currently works full-time in Fairbury, and as a contract supervisor for Forrest. City Clerk Hall read the monetary terms: $1300 monthly, $35.00 hourly for callouts, and .65 mileage. Duncan stated that he will attend one council meeting monthly, and be on-site in Gibson City weekly, 3-4 hours for oversight and sign-off on IEPA reports. Mayor Dickey stated this is becoming a common practice among small rural towns, and this is temporary until a full-time employee can be hired. Alderman Wyant made the motion to agree to the contract work of Bradley Duncan as written (see attached), 2nd by Alderman Davis, motion carried 6-0.

Agenda Item B – Todd McNutt of McNutt Consulting Services presented the council with a proposal to change the city’s phone system from analog to VoIP. Current phone system is dated and costly; the switch will be more efficient and a financial savings. After discussion, motion was made by Alderman Celeschi to approve the purchase of the VoIP phone system from MCS as presented, at a cost of $10,630, including training and support. 2nd by Alderman Davis, MC 6-0. Davis added this purchase is included in the recently approved Budget.

Agenda Item E- Ordinance No. 2021-O-12, Parameters of Bond Issue not to exceed $7,500,000 for capital improvements was presented by Gwen Crawford. Ms. Crawford explained that requests for proposals was sent to 3 banks, Heartland was the only bank who presented an offer. The rate is 2.25% for the first 10 years, with an option to refinance, or after 10 years the rate is 3.25%. Further, the City has one year from date of closing to fully draw down the funds approved. Alderman Davis asked if the city borrows and then does not use, can the bonds be repaid early without penalty. Ms. Crawford will find out from Heartland bank. Mayor Dickey then stated that he hoped the City only uses the bonds for the new swimming pool, and that the new well needed may be paid in part by the Federal funds city is to receive, in the amount of $439,000.

Motion to approve Ordinance #2021-O-12, Bond Parameters, and the Bond Order, accepting Heartland Bank’s proposal, was made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, and MC 6-0.

Agenda Item F –Consideration of Bids to purchase new hydraulic chain saw is moved to Old Business for next council meeting.

Agenda Item G-Consideration to purchase a second shoring box was explained by Supt. Link and supported by Supt. Martin. Having a second shoring box is a safety issue, and the lower of 2 bids was from Badger Box, for a total of $11,920, with approval for city to drive for pick-up instead of paying shipping. Motion was made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd by Alderman Franks, MC 6-0.

Marc Petersen representing the Harvest Fest Committee addressed council with updates and requests for equipment, street closures, and a monetary donation.

Streets. 25 retail vendors have signed up and 6-8 food vendors. Beginning Thursday, September 9th, close the city parking lot between 7th & 8th at 5:00 p.m.; Friday, September 10th close Sangamon between 7th & 8th, and Saturday close 7th St. between Sangamon and Church for the Bank’s ‘coffee/cars. From Sangamon east and west on 8th and 9th to the alleys is also requested to be closed for the festival. Petersen explained the detail of fencing for the beer tent/bands area, the $5 wristbands/21-year age to enter. Financing was discussed, and Finance Chairman Davis stated funds have been earmarked towards a donation, will be on next meeting’s agenda.

Item D – Mayoral appointment of Brandon Thomas to replace Kaleb Kraft on the Firing Range Committee. Motion to approve by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, MC 6-0.

Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Celeschi, 2nd by Alderman Fisher, all in favor, meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

http://www.gibsoncityillinois.com/images/August_9_2021_reg_minutes.docx