Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met May 23.

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 Absent

Ward #2 Randy Wyant Present Ray Hankes Present

Ward #3 Scott Davis Absent Michelle Celeschi Present

Ward #4 Denis Fisher Absent Laura Miller Present

Junior Alderman Hailey Wahl Absent

Others present: Supt. Wayne Link, Administrative Assistant Tucker Cribbett, Mike Bleich on behalf of Clean-Up Day Volunteers, Mike Friend of Farnsworth Group, Wastewater Operator Brad Duncan, and Press - Jean Noellsch.

Alderman Tongate led council in Pledge of Allegiance.

Alderman Miller made a motion approve minutes of May 9, 2022, 2nd by Alderman Hankes. Motion to approve minutes carried 5/0.

Recognition of Visitors:

Mike Bleich, long time volunteer for the city, and speaking this evening about the Annual Gibson City Clean-up Day. The date is set for Saturday June 11th from 8:00 to noon. Dumpsters have been ordered and will be onsite at Strebeck Salvage to take the collections. Requirements are that you must reside inside Gibson City limits. There will be limited electronics accepted, no hazardous wastes such as paints, oils, chemical cleaners, etc. Mr. Bleich has arranged volunteers as in previous years, from the local Boy Scouts groups and from the Lutheran Church congregation. Anyone is welcome to join in and volunteer. It was noted that Mary Timm has placed phone calls and arranged pick-ups for senior citizens. Mr. Bleich has written a grant in the past to help defray general expenses, and this year he has written a grant to help defray the cost of automobile tires. Typically, it is $4 per tire, but with this grant, citizens will only pay $1 per tire, to be taken to Neal Tire day of the collection. Mayor Dickey thanked Mike Bleich for his many repeated volunteer acts for the community.

TREASURERS REPORT: Treasurer Shull read the April Treasurer’s report which is attached and available for review upon request. No comments or questions by council.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Alderman Tongate stated that she had read in the newspaper the Pool Board had two members retire and thanked them for their service. She also noted that the article mentioned the plans for the new pool being on hold, but Mayor Dickey stated that he wants to contact Engineer Andy Keiser and have him present the final plans to the Exploratory Pool Committee, who will in turn make a recommendation to the full council for a decision about whether or not to let bids on the building the new pool.

Approval of Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Hankes to pay General fund bills in the amount of $58,5569.42, 2nd by Alderman Wyant, motion carried 4 in favor, Alderman Tongate abstained.

Motion made by Alderman Miller to pay 3 checks from TIF 2 totaling 13,626.00 (Fehr Graham – new pool engineering - $8732.00; Donohue – Water system action plan - $4,514.00; Getty Lawncare - $380.00), 2nd by Alderman Tongate, Motion carried 5/0.

New Business:

A. Committee Appointments – Mayor Dickey tabled this action to next regular meeting due to 3 aldermen being absent tonight.

B. Consideration of Cleaning Bids. Alderman Tongate Chairman of Parks/Buildings received the lone bid submitted, (see attached) and asked City Clerk Jan Hall to open and read to council. The bid came from the current temporary cleaning service, Julianna Burton. She submitted a bid of $375 weekly to perform all cleaning duties as outlined by the Committee. Mayor Dickey asked if we could get an hourly rate for emergency callouts, and Alderman Tongate will let Ms. Burton know to speak with the Mayor about this.

Alderman Tongate then made a motion to accept the Bid from Julianna Burton, at $375 weekly for the cleaning of city buildings and parks areas as listed, to authorize Mayor Dickey to negotiate the hourly rate for emergency call-out, and to see that the actual Cleaning Contract previously approved will be signed by the Mayor and Ms. Burton. 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Hankes. Motion to approve the bid as received and sign the contract was passed 5- 0.

C. Mayor Dickey asked Supt. Link to explain his request to consider adding one full-time employee to the Streets & Alleys Department. Link stated that he is 2-men down currently, one on vacation and one out on medical leave, which leaves him very short-staffed especially if there is a water line break or some other urgent matter. Link also stated the newly hired Administrative Assistant Tucker Cribbett has offered to come in early and work for two hours before he starts his Admin. Work at 8:00 a.m. Mayor Dickey requested that these decisions be referred to the Streets & Alleys Committee. Alderman Tjarks is the Chairman, and Alderman Tongate will ask him to contact the office and schedule this committee meeting as soon as possible.

Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Miller, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, meeting adjourned at 7:35 p.m.

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