Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Sept. 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Pro-Tem Randy Wyant in Mayor Dickey’s absence.

Motion made by Alderman Franks, 2nd by Alderman Tongate to approve Alderman Wyant to serve as Mayor Pro Tem. MC All in favor.

Roll Call:   Ward #1 Susie Tongate, Present;    Vacancy

Ward #2 Randy Wyant, Present       Aaron Franks, Present

Ward #3 Scott Davis, Present          Michelle Celeschi, Present

Ward #4 Denis Fisher, Present        Laura Miller, Absent

Others present: Street & Alley Superintendent Wayne Link, Water Superintendent Tyler Martin, Officer Austin Rosenbaum, Mike Friend of Farnsworth, Karen Kummerow, Chairman of Recycling Committee, Ross Brown, Ford County Chronicle.

Jr. Alderman Haley Wahls led council in Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Tongate moved to approve council Minutes of August 23, 2021, seconded by Alderman Fisher. MC 6-0.

Committee Reports:

Alderman Wyant asked Supt. Martin to update council on the water treatment plant. Martin provided a written report on a safety meeting held Friday, September 10th, and on reported on damage and clean-up from the flood. (See attached) Wyant called a Water/Sewer Committee meeting for Monday, September 20th @ 5:00 p.m. in council chambers to discuss water rates, new flushing practices and new wells.

Alderman Fisher reported that the Ordinance Committee met at 6:30 p.m. August 23, 2021, and the meeting closed with the idea that more information was needed regarding the request to lower the required age of servers of alcohol. Fisher announced that it has become apparent that there is no support in his committee to pursue this change, so he recommends letting the request die for lack of support. Alcohol servers will remain at age 21 in the City of Gibson.

Superintendent Link stated that his crew and volunteers picked up debris for 3 weeks, and now they are on to pick up of tree limbs from storm damage last week.

Any flood debris (furniture, mattresses, etc.) now is the responsibility of the owner, and all items must be removed from curbside to private property until removed. Police have started sending 5-day notices. Supt. Link stated that there was ample time for people to have flood debris out for pick-up, what is remaining has come after they announced final pickup.

OLD BUSINESS:

Bids presented to purchase new hydraulic chain saw and saw equipment. Supt. Link explained that this purchase has been discussed and approved in the budget, and primary reason is an OSHA requirement. 2 bids were received (see attached), and motion was made by Alderman Davis to accept the bid not to exceed $12,900.00 from Ace Cutting Equipment & Supply. 2nd made by Alderman Celeschi; motion carried 6-0.

MCS Office Technologies presentation for Information Technology Technical Support Services to the City of Gibson. Duration: Amount not to exceed:

New Electronic Welcome Sign at the traffic light at South Sangamon and 1st Street.

Due to Mayor Dickey and Todd McNutt both being absent, Motion made by Alderman Davis to table these two items to next meeting. 2nd by Alderman Franks, MC 6.0

Approval of Bills:

TIF #3 (2 checks) $2,767.00 Motion to approve by Alderman Fisher, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, MC 5-0, Alderman Davis abstained due to owning property in TIF 3.

TIF #2 (4 checks) $52,593.38 Motion to approve by Alderman Davis 2nd by Alderman Fisher, MC 6-0.

General Fund: $310,062.28 Motion made by Alderman Davis 2nd by Alderman Fisher; Discussion – Alderman Fisher stated that in talking with Admin. Stalter, the check to Fehr-Graham Engineering was going to be nullified and recut and acted upon at next council meeting, therefore he suggests amending the motion to delete the overall amount of bills paid to $294,313.78 (deducting the $15,748.50 to Fehr Graham.) Motion amended as stated, MC 6-0.

New Business:

Agenda Item A –Mayoral to add Alderman Laura Miller to the following committees to replace Alderman Dennis Pardick: Streets & Alleys, Finance/Efficiency, Water & Sewer, and Chairman of Personnel Committee. Motion to Table by Alderman Davis to next meeting due to absence of Mayor Dickey & Alderman Miller, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, MC 6-0.

Agenda Item B Presentation by Karen Kummerow, Chair of Recycling Committee. Ms. Kummerow presented the annual recycling agreement and reviewed the overall history of the recycling, stating that the price of recycling passes has never been increased. She also requested approval to continue the program and Motion was made by Alderman Celeschi to approve the annual contract at $7,800 (no increase), 2nd by Alderman Fisher, MC 6-0.

Agenda Item C Consideration of Property Improvement Grant in the maximum amount of $5,000 (matching funds) to Howard Curry.

Motion made by Alderman Davis 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, MC 6-0.

Alderman Franks inquired if all residents are aware of this program, and Alderman Davis agreed that we should promote it. The residential property improvement fund is used to promote demolition of dilapidated garages and buildings, matching funds up to a maximum of $5,000 per property.

Agenda Item D Consideration to change city credit card company from First National Bank to Heartland Bank. Motion made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Franks, to table this item until next meeting when Admin Stalter is present to explain. MC 6-0.

Agenda Item E Consideration to continually transfer all Gibson City Flood Relief Donations collected from city account to GAHRF (Gibson Area House Rehab Foundation) for management and distribution. (See attached letter). Motion to approve transfer of funds to the GARHF Charity made by Alderman Celeschi, 2nd by Alderman Franks. MC 6-0.

Agenda Item F– Consideration of bids to purchase a new road Motion to Table to next meeting made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Franks, MC 6-0.

Agenda Item G Consideraton to permit Grant T-Mobile to work on city communication tower. City Clerk Jan Hall reported that a merger between communication companies has created a request by T-Mobile for approval that their company make improvements on the communication tower, no cost to the city. Supt. Link stated that he felt council should be aware before access is granted. Motion made by Alderman Celeschi to approve request for access, 2nd by Alderman Tongate. MC 6-0.

City Clerk Jan Hall read a thank you note to Mayor, council, and all city employees from Jim, Karen and Heather Bode, for all the work in flood relief.

Alderman Franks stated that he had one last item he wished to bring up and he cited dates and times that he had been informed that on August 9th when a band performed downtown sponsored by Gibson Area Hospital, an alcohol vendor sold liquor without a valid permit. Franks stated he had addressed this with Mayor Dickey and at the time, Mayor Pro-Tem Randy Wyant. Mayor ProTem Wyant stated that this had been handled at the time by contacting the city attorney, sending a certified letter, and nothing more could be done. Alderman Franks asked for a response from the party notified.

Being no further business, Motion to adjourn by Alderman Celeschi, 2nd by Tongate, meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

http://www.gibsoncityillinois.com/images/Sept_13_2021_reg_minutes.docx