Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met March 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 Absent Erick Tjarks Present Ward #2 Randy Wyant Present Ray Hankes Present Ward #3 Scott Davis Present Michelle Celeschi Present Ward #4 Denis Fisher Present Laura Miller Present Junior Alderman Hailey Wahl Absent

Others present: Administrative Assistant Peg Stalter, Supts. Link & Martin, Mike Friend Farnsworth Group, Ross Brown -Ford Co. Chronicle, Gary Lutterbie – Lutheran Church, Officer Rosenbaum, and Harvest Representatives (see attached sign-in sheet)

Alderman Davis led council in Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Miller made a motion approve minutes of February 28, 2022, 2nd by Alderman Hankes. Motion to approve minutes carried 7/0.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Chairman of Water / Sewer Randy Wyant made note of a letter (see attached) he received from resident Ida Wahls, 517 S. Guthrie. The letter is thanking the city for their efforts, indicated she had spoken with Mayor Dickey and suggested dredging the ditch along Route 54 (S. Lawrence Ave) as many residents feel that may be a source of flooding for them. Mayor Dickey stated he will follow-up and call Dwayne Horsch who represents the Drainage Ditch Commission. Alderman Celeschi asked for an update at next council meeting.

Chairman of Economic Development – Alderman Celeschi – reported that to move forward in working with Benjamin Landscaping’s interest of buying 7.5 acres in Jordan Industrial Park, the next step is to have the area surveyed and appraised.

Approval of Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay 1 check from T.I.F. #3 in the amount of $2, 840.00, 2nd by Alderman Tjarks, Motion carried: 5 ayes, with Aldermen Davis & Miller abstaining because they own property in the TIF.

Motion made by Alderman Miller to pay 1 check from T.I.F #2 in the amount of $5,398.50. 2nd by Alderman Fisher Motion carried: 7-0.

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $97,384.26. 2nd made by Alderman Tjarks. Motion carried 7/0.

Old Business:

A. Ordinance #2022-O-2, Amending Chapter 38 to Article II to Establish a Water shut off Fee and Amend Water Reconnection Fee. Water Supt. Tyler Martin explained the revisions made to the fee schedule (see attached) and Aldermen Tjarks & Celeschi voiced concerns about the rates of $100 and $150 being affordable to all. Supt. Martin & Administrative Asst. Stalter reassured council that the city has and will continue to work reasonably with anyone who faces a financial burden over these fees.

Motion made by Alderman Wyant to approve Ordinance 2022-O-2 as written, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, Motion carried 7/0.

New Business:

A. Motion to accept updated Mayoral appointments created due to newly appointed Aldermen made by Alderman Miller, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, Motion carried 7/0. Mayor Dickey stated that he makes full committee assignments at the beginning of the fiscal year which is May 1st.

B. Consideration of 2022/2023 Cleaning Contract (see attached) with Angie Lage & Sue O’Neal. Mayor Dickey stated this item will be tabled to Old Business due to the absence of Alderman Tongate, who is Chairman of Parks & Buildings, and that he suggests she may call a Committee meeting to discuss the proposed Cleaning schedule and updated fees.

C. Consideration to permit American Lutheran Church @ 905 1st Street to divide their single lot into 3 lots, which by Ordinance definition is considered a ‘minor subdivision’ Resident Gary Lutterbie spoke on behalf of the church and explained their plan. Motion made by Alderman Celeschi, 2nd by Alderman Miller, Motion carried 7/0.

D. Consideration Harvest Fest Requests: Use of Power Panel Hook-ups – Dale Denny explained to council that Harvest Fest is proposing to pay to have a power panel, 100 Amp 3 Phase Disconnect Mounted inside the City fence at City Hall, to provide more power availability for the annual Harvest Fest vendors. Mayor Dickey recommended they go with the lower of the 2 proposals, in the amount of $1,881.51. Council agreed that Harvest Fest, at their own cost, can hire CY Electric to install.

Sponsorship for Harvest Fest has been historically $5,000 annually and they are requesting the same this year. Alderman Celeschi revisited the Agreement the City made in May 2021 with Harvest Fest & GAHS to share the cost of the big power panel that was installed at the NW corner of 7th & Sangamon – each entity had agreed to pay $4000., with the City paying the remaining $5k+ and asked if City has received those payments. Billie Jo Denny stated they were told they could pay in equal installments over a 3-year period, and they made their 1st payment. Alderman Celeschi was not aware of that arrangement, and asked if GAHS has made payment, Admin. Stalter stated they had not. Mayor Dickey will check with Bill Kirby regarding their $4,000.00 portion of the agreement.

Alderman Davis then made a motion to approve $5000 sponsorship to Harvest Fest 2022, to be paid from the new fiscal year budget line of marketing. 2nd by Alderman Tjarks, motion carried 7/0.

Christmas Parade – Harvest Fest committee has agreed to take over the oversight of the annual lighted Christmas Parade and are requesting it be on November 19th, 2022. They also want to revert back to the original format of having the actual parade lined up and going down Sangamon. Also, to continue downtown festivities including fire pits. Alderman Celeschi questioned the safety due to the 100-year-old buildings in the downtown area, but Mayor Dickey assured her these are small, covered and manned, and the fire department was ok with it. Council then approved of these proposed plans.

E. Consideration to Hire Hartke Engineering and Surveying to complete a boundary survey at Jordan Industrial Park. Motion made by Alderman Celeschi to hire Hartke Engineering & Surveying for a fee of $2,000, to be paid from TIF 2 account. 2nd by Alderman Davis Motion carried 7/0.

F. Consideration to repair or replace Vac Truck Supt. Link reported that the ‘Vac Truck’ is broken down, and he is checking on places and prices for repairs. It is suspected to be a major repair, possibly several thousand dollars, but that to buy a new truck would be a half-million, so we really have few options. Supt. Link stated that the crew uses this truck all the time and it is a problem to be without it. Motion by Alderman Hankes to agree that Supt. Link continue at his discretion for this repair work, 2nd made by Alderman Fisher. Motion carried 7/0.

Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Miller, 2nd by Alderman Fisher meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/March-14-2022.pdf