Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Nov. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Dan Dickey.

Roll Call: Ward #1 Susie Tongate, Present; Erick Tjarks Present

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

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

Ward #4 Denis Fisher, Present; Laura Miller, Present

Junior Alderman Haley Wahl Present

Others present Chief Adam Rosendahl, Administrative Assistant Peg Stalter, Mike Friend of Farnsworth; Mike Livermore of Clark Dietz Engineering, Marsha, and Max Moody, (Max for Boy Scouts) Tom Davis, Leslie Davis, Brandon Thomas, and Ross Brown, Ford County Chronicle.

Alderman Tongate led council in Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Fisher made a motion approve minutes of October 25, 2021; 2nd by Alderman Celeschi. Question asked by Celeschi – Minutes reflect Mayor had stated a Task Order for the SE corner of town, mainly Guthrie and Gray Drive, was to be on tonight’s Agenda. Mayor explained that a blockage had been found and corrected, and he didn’t see the need at this time for further study since the problem was corrected. Celeschi stated that she believes it would be well worth the $1,250.00 to have this area investigated by the Engineers, especially with the age of the subdivision. Mayor directed that it can be put on the Agenda for a discussion and vote at next meeting. Motion to approve minutes carried 7-0.

Committee Reports:

Approval of Bills:

TIF #2 (2 checks) $44,395.37 Motion to approve by Alderman Fisher, 2nd by Alderman Tjarks, Motion carried 7-0.

General Fund: $342,249.22 Motion made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, to approve all General Fund checks with 2 corrections that were taken care of in the office today. Motion carried 6-0, Fisher abstained. Alderman Celeschi asked for the exact remaining balance in Emergency Fund after the $250,000 grant. Mayor Dickey suggested she discuss that with Finance Chairman Scott Davis.

New Business:

Agenda Item A –Motion to approve Mayoral Committee Appointments (changed due to aldermen appointments) Mayor Dickey stated that he revised the committee lists to reflect the changes created by Aldermen Houtzel and Alderman Pardick resigning and new Aldermen Miller and Tjarks will replace them on those respective committees. No questions, Motion by Alderman Miller to approve the new committee appointments, 2nd by Alderman Wyant, motion carried 7-0.

Agenda Item B Consideration of approval of a Residential Property Improvement Grant in the amount of $3,000 to Dennis Pardick for demolition of 210 S. State Street. Dennis Pardick informed council that he paid an additional $1,554.05 for the Nicor Gas disconnect fee and asked if that could be added to his application. After discussion, Motion to approve 50% ($3,000) of the original request was made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi. Motion carried 7-0.

Agenda Item C Motion to Enter into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing personnel issues made by Alderman Davis 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, motion carried 7-0 and council entered Executive Session.

Council returned to regular session with two motions to present.

Agenda Item D Alderman Miller made the motion to hire Brandon Thomas as a part-time police officer at the rate of $20.21 per hour. 2nd made by Alderman Celeschi. Chief Rosendahl clarified that Brandon Thomas is a resident, retired from Champaign Police Department after 25 years, and is certified in the ‘Alice’ training (active shooter drills at schools) and certified in handling firearms. No questions, motion carried 7-0.

Additionally, Chief Rosendahl requested approval to give fulltime officers and dispatcher each a one-time $1,000 bonus for their extra efforts throughout the Covid pandemic, to be paid from Federal ‘Covid Relief’ money granted to the department in the amount of $140,549.00.

3 committee meetings were called for next Monday evening, the 15th, beginning at 5:00 p.m., Ordinance Committee will meet to discuss national flood insurance, 6:00 p.m. Water/Sewer Committee will meet with Operator Brad Duncan to review discharge reports; and 7:00 p.m. Streets & Alleys Committee will meet to discuss a potential project at 10th and West Streets.

Motion to adjourn made by Junior Alderman Haley Wahl, 2nd by Alderman Davis, meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

http://www.gibsoncityillinois.com/images/Nov_8_2021_reg_minutes.docx