Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met May 9.

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 Present           Michelle Celeschi Present 

Ward #4 Denis Fisher Present         Laura Miller Present 

Junior Alderman Hailey Wahl Present

Others present: Supt. Wayne Link, Supt. Tyler Martin, Administrative Assistant Tucker Cribbett, Chief Rosendahl, Rob Schmitt, Former Mayor/Alderman Nelda Jordan, Kevin & Leann Seymour, Pastor Ray Lantz, Jordan Pond Chairman Gary Lutterbie, Will Gray of Donohue & Associates, Mike Friend, Farnsworth Group, Amanda Styck representing

GC Little League Board, and Sharon Heavilin representing Gibson City Restoration Committee.

Alderman Hankes led council in Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Celeschi made a motion approve minutes of April 25, 2022, 2nd by Alderman Miller. Motion to approve minutes carried 8/0.

Recognition of Visitors:

Gary Lutterbie, Chairman of the Committee for Jordan Pond, introduced Pastor Ray Lantz of the Presbyterian Church and Kevin & Lea Ann Seymour as donors, giving $10,000 each, to be dedicated to the Jordan Fund Pond for improvements, in honor of the late Larry Richoz, a long time Gibson City teacher and avid fisherman. Mayor Dickey, Alderman Tongate accepted this donation on behalf of the City.

Amanda Styck, representing the Gibson City Little League Board addressed council with their concerns about Little League games and practice being underway and the water at the ball fields has not yet been turned on. Ms. Styck understands there has been issues regarding the cleaning contract but is offering that the members of the board are willing to clean and lock/unlock the restrooms if the water can be turned on as soon as possible. Styck praised the city facilities and stated that GC Little League has been asked to host a large tournament later in May, and she is concerned about the water situation. Supt. Link responded that last year the coaches let children use the restrooms without the water being turned on, which caused a time consuming and costly problem for the city to jet out the lines and make them workable. Mayor Dickey reminded everyone there are port-a-potties that are being rented for use in the parks until the cleaning services start. Aldermen Celeschi & Tongate both commented that later in this meeting the cleaning contract will be addressed. No action taken at this time.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Alderman Wyant announced that on May 23rd at 6:30 p.m., prior to the regular council meeting, a public hearing will be held that is required by the IEPA to allow citizens to ask questions and comment on the current water projects.

Approval of Bills: 

Motion made by Alderman Fisher made a motion to pay General fund bills in the amount of $86,861.60, 2nd by Alderman Tjarks, motion carried 8/0.

New Business:

A. Ordinance No. 22-O-1, Cleaning Contract was presented, discussed and motion made by Alderman Tongate to approve, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, Motion approved 8/.0 Alderman Tongate hopes to have bids to review by next regular council meeting.

B. Sharon Heavilin, representing the Gibson City Restoration Committee (Queen of Hearts fund-raiser) updated the council with information that Cat Snap has removed 8 cats so far, and she has a proposal for a structural engineering study by SKS Engineers, in the amount of $1,832.00. Ms. Heavilin is requesting the city donate $2,500.00 towards the upcoming expenses. It is her belief that her organization will be able to raise enough money to completely restore this building. Alderman Wyant stated that he was not in favor of spending money on a private building at this time. Mayor Dickey and Alderman Hankes looked over the property this morning and Mayor Dickey’s belief is that the city will inherit the problem and based on the report provided at city expense 12 years ago, it would likely cost a quarter of a million dollars to demolish the building. Alderman Davis and former Mayor Jordan both commented on repairs and expenditures that were done in the past on this same building.

Alderman Hankes made a motion to approve paying the cost of the engineering report, not to exceed $1,900.00; 2nd made by Alderman Miller, motion carried 6/1, with Alderman Fisher abstaining and Alderman Wyant voting no.

C. (moved to visitors)

D. Supt. Link explained to council that 1 house and 2 pre-sold lots in Falcon Pointed do not have the appropriate storm water tile connected. Developer Steve Miller agreed to pay the costs for the city to install 300’ of 6” tile, and Supt. Link recommends approval. Motion made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd by Alderman Celeschi to approve the city installing the storm tile as described, for the amount of $7,000, to be paid in advance as agreed to by Developer Steve Miller. Motion carried 8/0.

E. Will Gray of Donohue & Associates and Supt. Tyler Martin explained the project as part of the ‘action plan’ that was approved last year. Motion made by Alderman Tjarks, 2nd by Alderman to approve the Engineering Agreement as presented (see attached) in an amount not to exceed $31,825.00 and to be paid from TIF 2. This will cover the Design, Engineering and Bidding of the ‘air scouring system.’ Motion carried 8/0.

F. Alderman Miller made a Motion to Enter Executive Session Pursuant to 5ILCS 12/02 © (1) for the Limited Purpose to Consider Employment and Compensation of One or More Employees.

G. Council returned to regular session, and Alderman Miller made the motion to approve a 3% cost of living across the board with the exception of Administrative Assistant Tucker Cribbett due to the fact he began his employment less than a month ago, 2nd made by Alderman Hankes, Motion carried 8/0.

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

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