Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met April 25.

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      Ray Hankes Present 

Ward #3 Scott Davis Absent           Michelle Celeschi Present 

Ward #4 Denis Fisher Present       Laura Miller Present 

Junior Alderman Hailey Wahl Absent 

Others present: Supt. Wayne Link, Administrative Assistant Tucker Cribbett, Officer Rosenbaum, City Attorney Marc Miller, Jelco business owner Ed Miller, Sharon Heavilin representing Gibson City Restoration Committee, Jim Peters representing the Lion’s Club, visitors Sue O’Neal, and Angie & Ava Lage.

Alderman Fisher led council in Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Hankes made a motion approve minutes of April 11, 2022, 2nd by Alderman Wyant. Motion to approve minutes carried 7/0.

Recognition of Visitors:

Jim Peters, representing the GC Lion’s Club asked for approval to hold their annual ‘candy day sales’ at the corners of Sangamon and 8th / 9th, and at Rt 47 and Rt 9 at the west entrance of town, on Friday and Saturday, May 13th & 14th. Mayor Dickey & Council approved the request and Supt. Link will provide orange cones for their use.

Sharon Heavilin, representing the Gibson City Restoration Committee (Queen of Hearts fund-raiser) spoke to council and requested financial support to pay ‘Cat Snap,’ a company from Champaign, a fee of $50 per cat to remove and spay or neuter stray cats from the building at known as the former Loy’s Dime Store. This is the site the group is raising funds to renovate. At this time, the Restoration Committee wants to hire a structural engineer to provide an updated report on the building, but it is overrun with stray cats and those must be removed first. ‘Snap Cat’ told Ms. Heavilin it was a ‘city problem’ and that is why she is requesting funds. After council discussion about the building being privately owned, and whether or not the Ford County Animal Control will assist, no action was taken at this time. The Mayor will further investigate and the request is to be on the next regular meeting agenda. All agreed that a major problem is to deal with the individuals who are feeding the strays, but not claiming ownership.

Ed Miller, owner of Jelco Supply located at 103 N. Sangamon Avenue, stated that he felt singled out by being told by a city employee he could not have his advertising sign placed in the city tree planter in front of his business, ‘that private property’ cannot be placed on City property. Supt. Link clarified that in his capacity as Superintendent over city property, had removed many signs throughout town placed between the sidewalk and the curb which is not permitted by ordinance; Jelco was not singled out. Mayor Dickey explained that businesses downtown may have wares on the sidewalk, by ordinance, no further than 3’ feet from their building.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Alderman Tongate: Parks & Buildings Committee – met at 6:00 p.m. prior to this meeting to discuss the 3rd revisions to the cleaning contract that will be let out for bids. Chairman Tongate stated the Committee recommends accepting with 3 minor changes that she will convey to Atty. Miller, such as the ’90-day notice’ be changed to ’30-day notice’, West Park restrooms, remove reference to Skate Park, and remain on the city fiscal year which is May 1 through April 30. Council agreed to approve with these changes, approve placing the bid notice in the Ford County Chronicle and on the website, and hopefully have bids to be discussed on the next regular meeting agenda.

Approval of Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay MFT bills in the amount of $$7,307.05 for the first invoice on the 10th & West Street project, 2nd made by Alderman Tjarks, Motion carried 7/0.

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay 1 check from T.I.F #2 in the amount of $5,829.00, 2nd by Alderman Tjarks, Motion carried: 7/0.

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $73,274.68, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, Motion carried: 7/0

New Business:

A. Gibson City Downtown Planters Program: (see attached detailed description) Mayor Dickey recommended that the Downtown Planter Program that was first used in 2014, by individual business sponsorship be reinstated. Funds will be provided in the form of Gibson Bucks / $125 per pot, for flowers and fall decorations. Judging will be done, 1st place $250, 2nd place $125, and 3rd place $75, will all winnings donated to a local charity of the winner’s choice. Funds are available in the Beautification fund, and Alderman Tongate reported that the Chamber is willing to share in the funding of this project. Motion made by Alderman Tongate to reinstate the planters project as discussed, not to exceed spending $3,600.00 from Beautification Fund. 2nd made by Alderman Miller, Motion carried 6 in favor, with Alderman Wyant abstaining from the vote.

B. Consideration and approval for Tucker Cribbett to have a city credit card with a limit of $2,500.00. Discussion about Department Heads each having a credit card, and Administrative Assistant Cribbett stated he could wait until Administrative Assistant Stalter retires before activating his card. Motion made by Alderman Wyant to permit a credit card with a $2500 limit to be activated for use by Cribbett on November 1, 2022, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi, Motion carried 7/0.

Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd by Alderman Hankes meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/April-25-2022-Minutes-.pdf