Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Oct. 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Dickey.

Roll Call:

Ward #1 Susie Tongate: P     Erick Tjarks: P

Ward #2 Randy Wyant: P      Ray Hankes: P

Ward #3 Scott Davis: P         Vacancy: _________

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: P       Laura Miller: P

Jr. Alderman Allison Spiller P

Others present: Supts. Tyler Martin & Wayne Link, Admin Scott Shull, Chief Adam Rosendahl, Engineer Will Gray – Donohue & Associates, Engineer Mike Friend – Farnsworth Group, Jim Peters representing GC Lions Club, Jean Noellsch reporting for Ford County Chronicle.

Alderman Hankes led the pledge.

Approval of Minutes of September 26th Alderman Miller made a motion approve minutes of September 26, 2022 as submitted –2nd to the Motion by Alderman Tjarks, Motion carried 6 in favor, Alderman Fisher abstained.

Visitor Comments:

Jim Peters asked council to approve the GC Lion’s Club candy day this coming Friday 14th 7-5 and Saturday 15th 7-11 at Sangamon & 8th, and Bradbury Auto Sales @ Rt. 47. Council approved the request.

Administrative Report: Scott Shull – informed council that the Annual Financial Audit Report for FY 20-21 is completed, overall report is positive, city is in good standing.

Committee Reports:

Alderman Tongate – recognized the Presbyterian Church for sponsoring banners downtown and for donating funds towards the current Rotary project in the northwest corner of North Park. Their donation will buy 2 benches and 2 picnic tables for the new play area.

Alderman Tongate reported that she held a Parks/Buildings Committee meeting last Wednesday at noon (see attached minutes) and the Committee recommends pursuing bids for professional cleaning service, painting walls and refinishing woodwork throughout city hall, and hiring a 5 hour / 5 days a week year round position for Supt. Link’s department – that position will do mowing, parks restrooms and maintenance overall, and other duties as assigned. Bids will be discussed later in the Agenda.

Alderman Wyant reported that the Water/Sewer Committee met Wednesday the 6th at noon to discuss upcoming projects with Engineer, details will come later in the Agenda.

Supts. Link & Martin informed council there is equipment that is taking up space, ruined by the flood but can be sold for salvage. Mayor told them to turn bids in to City Clerk and she will open and read at the next meeting.

Approval of Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay 3 checks from TIF2 in the amount of $37,892.00, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, motion carried 7/0.

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $490,588.90, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, motion carried 7/0.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Consideration of Donohue Engineering Agreement Well #6, $0 increase, total still $75,400.00 B. Consideration of Donohue Engineering Agreement for Water Treatment Plant Upgrades – Additional amount of $8,175.00 – total $40,000.

Engineer Will Gray explained new rules from EPA coming in 2023, and he recommends city to approve Donohue preparing and submitting EPA paperwork for a loan interest loan on both the Wastewater Treatment Plant replacement and the new Well #6. The cost is $8,175 total, and he needs to turn the paperwork in by end of November. It would be March when EPA would announce awards, and our total projects are roughly $3.25 million dollars. EPA can grant $1.25 million or 50%, whichever is greater, and interest is less than 1%. Mayor Dickey asked what annual payments would be, and Gray said worst case scenario is $197,300 or $122,300 with loan forgiveness. The Bible Church is amenable to discussing sale of property for the well, and Engineer Gray recommends a test well site be arranged before purchasing.

Alderman Wyant made the motion to approve Donohue Engineers to proceed with all necessary paperwork for IEPA Loan application at a cost of $8,175.00, 2nd made by Alderman Davis, motion carried 7/0.

C. . Consideration of Seal Coat Change Order – total project @ $350,247,43. Engineer Mike Friend presented a change order in the amount of $45,830.55, which does not exceed the project total, but in brings the quantities actually used in line with charges. Project was able to cover a few more streets than planned, which triggered the adjustment. A first pay order is due in the amount of $332,735.06 to McLean County Asphalt. 5% was withheld until the final sweep/clean-up was complete. Friend stated there will be one more final payment to pay that amount since the work is done. Motion made by Alderman Tjarks to approve the signing of the change order and approving the 1st pay order in the amount of $332,735.06, 2nd made by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 7/0.

D. Consideration of Intergovernmental agreement between GCPD and Ford County Sheriff’s Dept for the same amount as past years- $1,666.67 monthly or $20,000 annually. Chief Rosendahl recommends continuing this Agreement for after-hours dispatch. Alderman Hankes made the motion to approve this agreement as presented, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 7/0.

E. Kubota purchase – table to Old Business next meeting.

F. Audit Proposal – table to Old Business next meeting.

G. Alderman Tongate explained that Clerk Jan Hall offered to help in gathering quotes from professional cleaning services. One local service was contacted, declined to bid, but stated that the quote we received from Ram Clean professional services seemed reasonable. (see quote attached) The service is based in Champaign, will clean city hall, police department, break room and Supt. office, common hallways. Rate is $25.54 an hour, estimate is 14 hours weekly (3 days) and monthly total comes to $1,550.00. Ram Clean provides cleaning supplies and equipment, have other businesses in Gibson City and municipal buildings in other communities. Bonded and Insured. Motion to approve Ram Clean as quoted made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd by Alderman Miller, motion carried 7/0.

H. First Call Painting Services quote (see attached) Alderman Tongate explained that since the city hall roof being replaced and leaks will stop, her committee recommends moving forward with painting walls and refinishing woodwork throughout city hall building. City Clerk Hall presented a quote from First Call Painting, LLC, Dewey, IL, for 2 coats of paint on every wall throughout city hall - $3,820.00, and sanding / stripping and refinishing all antique woodwork throughout city hall for $6,170.00. Both quotes include material. Company provided a certificate of insurance with their quote. Motion to approve both bid as presented, amount not to exceed $10,000.00 made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd by Alderman Wyant, motion passed 7/0.

Other business – Atty. Marc Miller explained to council a solar company is working with a farmer south and west of town, and within our city 1.5-mile jurisdiction for zoning. He has a conference call this week and needs direction from council on how they want to proceed. Mayor Dickey asked Engineer Mike Friend if he could provide any insight and Friend offered some advice on oversight being important. No formal action at this time, Atty Miller will update the Mayor after the conference call.

Motion to Adjourn made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd by Alderman Wyant, all in favor, meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

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