Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Feb. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Dickey in council chambers at City Hall.

Roll Call:

Ward #1 Susie Tongate Present 

Erick Tjarks Present

Ward #2 Randy Wyant Present 

Vacancy

Ward #3 Scott Davis Present 

Michelle Celeschi Present

Ward #4 Denis Fisher Absent 

Laura Miller Present

Junior Alderman Hailey Wahl Absent

Others present: Chief Adam Rosendahl, Supts. Martin & Link, City Attorney Marc Miller, Administrative Assistant Taylor Braasch, Katie & Cody Garrett, Engineer Mike Friend of Farnworth Group.

Alderman Susie Tongate led council in Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Randy Wyant made a motion approve minutes of January 24, 2022, 2nd by Alderman Michelle Celeschi. Motion to approve minutes carried 6-0.

Treasurer’s Report: None.

Administrative Report None.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Alderman Celeschi called an Economic Development Committee Meeting to be held Monday February 28th @ 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of discussing a tentative new business in the Jordan Industrial Park.

Alderman Tongate reminded council that the Pool Board meets this Wednesday, February 16th @ 5:15 p.m.

Approval of Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Celeschi to pay 1 check from T.I.F. #2 - $4,420.50. 2nd by Alderman Tongate, Motion carried: 6-0.

Motion made by Alderman Tongate to pay 1 check from T.I.F #3 - $933.97. 2nd by Alderman Tjarks Motion carried 4 yes, Miller & Davis abstained due to owning property in TIF 3.

Motion made by Alderman Miller to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $149,330.86. 2nd made by Alderman Wyant. Motion carried 6-0.

New Business:

A. Katie Garrett applied for a business façade grant for her property at 302 N. Sangamon, formerly known as ‘The Hair Hutch’ owned by McNutt’s. Mayor Dickey noted that most of the application is not actually covered under the Business Façade Program, because it is primarily for the roofing. The plan is to assist with the face of the business. After much discussion, the Garrett’s opted to re-write their application with a better understanding of what can be covered. This item was tabled and will be on next meeting’s Agenda under old business.

B. Paving Material selection for 10th & West Streets project. Streets & Alleys met remotely via Zoom on Wednesday February 9, 2022 @ 7:10 p.m. (see attached report) Alderman Erick Tjarks, Chairman of Streets & Alleys asked Engineer Mike Friend of Farnsworth Group to provide the summary of the meeting. He stated that basically the purpose was to choose the final material for finish coat on these streets. There were two options, (1) 2” hot mix/asphalt or (2) 2 layers of oil and chip with fiber mesh and using black Trap rock. Friend stated the committee opted for Option 2. Mayor Dickey added that using the Trap Rock will enable the city crew to make repairs with the new spray patch machine purchased this year. Motion to approve option 2, Mesh & Trap Rock was made by Alderman Tjarks, 2nd by Alderman Miller. Motion to proceed approved 6-0. Farnsworth can now proceed with final plans.

C & D.

Consideration of Ordinance # 2022-O-01, defining regulations of participation and designation of flood plain areas in Gibson City. This Ordinance regulates development in a Flood Plain area and is a requirement in order for the City to submit the application for Participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. Engineer Mike Friend offered an explanation that this basically creates a standard benchmark elevation for any property that lies within the Flood Plain maps. Alderman Celeschi questioned whether we have current flood plain maps and asked if this Ordinance creates any hardship for property owners. Mayor Dickey stated that we only have 3 houses that fall in the flood plain maps, and we are not changing anything, simply moving forward to Apply to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. Mayor Dickey asked Atty. Miller if we could approve the Ordinance 2022-O-1 and Resolution 2022-R-1 (application) together. Motion made by Alderman Miller to approve Ordinance 2022-O-01 and Resolution 2022-R-01 as discussed, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi. Motion carried: 6-0.

E. Consideration to Charge for Water turn on and off. Supt. Martin explained that currently the city does not charge for emergency or ‘call-out’ shut-offs and recommended that an Ordinance be created to impose a $100 fee for shut-offs, $100 for turn-on, and a $500 penalty to any person other than a city employee if they take it upon themselves to do a water shut-off. The costs in overtime alone warrant the need, and if breaks result due to frequency, it costs thousands of dollars. Motion was made by Alderman Wyant to direct City Attorney Miller to compose this ordinance, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, motion carried unanimously.

Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Celeschi, 2nd by Alderman Davis, meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2.14.22-Minutes.pdf