Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Oct. 24.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Call to order at 7:00 p.m. by City Clerk Jan Hall in Mayor Dickey’s absence.

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

Clerk Hall asked for a motion to approve the appointment of Alderman Davis to act as Mayor Pro-Tem. Motion to approve made by Alderman Miller, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, all in favor.

Others present: Supt. Tyler Martin, Administrative Assistant Scott Shull, Harvest Fest Committee and Jeannine Litwiller representing downtown retailers, Rick Bowen Real Estate Broker and Bryan Benjamin, Marty Nuss of IPG and Jean Noellsch representing Ford County Chronicle.

Alderman Davis led the pledge.

Approval of Minutes of October 10, 2022 Miller made a motion approve minutes of October 10, 2022 as submitted –2nd to the Motion by Alderman Tongate, Motion carried 7/0.

Visitor Comments:

Brooke Freels – Harvest Fest Committee Representative provided an expense report from Harvest Fest. Council was very appreciative to have this information. Justin Carpenter spoke about the upcoming Lighted Christmas Parade on November 19th, and informed council the website is up, the parade will return to the original format starting at County Market, moving to Sangamon and then north to downtown. Jeannine Litwiller asked for permission to have a trailer for a mobile Baby Boutique in parking spaces in front of her store that day, but it will be gone well before late afternoon when the parade crowd is there. She and other businesses and groups are coordinating some food stands during the day. Council appreciates and approves the efforts being made for the Christmas Parade.

Administrative Report: Scott Shull – no report at this time.

Committee Reports:

Alderman Miller – stated she would give her Personnel Committee report from Monday October 17, 2022 at a later date.

Approval of Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Tongate to pay 9 checks from TIF2 in the amount of $358,107.73, 2nd by Alderman Fisher, motion carried 7/0.

Motion made by Alderman Hankes to pay 1 check from TIF3 in the amount of $5,336.38, 2nd by Alderman Fisher, motion carried 5Y/ with Aldermen Miller and Davis abstaining due to owning property in TIF 3.

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $250,334.97, 2nd by Alderman Tjarks, motion carried 7-0.

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Consideration to purchase a Kubota – Tabled.

B. Consideration to Engagement Letter for Audit Services with Feller & Kuester. Tabled.

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Presentation of Proposal by Marty Nuss with IPG Concerning Insurance Renewal. Mr. Nuss presented numbers for health insurance increases this year, Blue Cross/Blue Shield increased by 3.39%, Humana had slight changes on life insurance, and no changes on dental insurance. Mayor Pro-Tem Davis asked if the employees were aware or had questions, and Mr. Nuss agreed to set-up a meeting of the employees to review benefits. Straw Poll, Council is in favor of approving the insurance as presented but will take an actual vote at next meeting with dollar amounts provided.

B. Consideration of Sale of Industrial Park Property – Attorney Miller told council that he, Mr. Bowen and Mr. Benjamin, Supt. Martin all met in chambers before the meeting with Mayor Dickey present via phone conference. Details were reviewed and all parties are prepared to move forward. Supt. Martin explained the city will run a 1.5-2” water line to the property and agreed to move the dog park fence. Alderman Tongate made a motion to approve Ordinance 2022-O-05, covering the sale of this land at Jordan Industrial Park for $111,628.29, with City installing the water line and moving the fence. 2nd by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 7/0. Attorney Miller has the signed Ordinance to get the remaining signatures on the contract portion and return it to City Clerk.

C. Discussion of Solar Farm Outside of City Limits. Attorney Miller summarized the need of the Solar Provider Group to have a letter signed by the Mayor showing support for their project. Miller is preparing a pre-annexation agreement that will be a part of the arrangement since the property falls within City Subdivision boundaries, and the agreement will be for 20 years, if the solar property becomes contiguous with the City, they agree to be annexed into the City. Council gives full support to have the Mayor sign the letter of support as prepared by Attorney Miller.

D. Consideration of an Estimate to Install an Air Compressor at the Water Plant. Supt. Martin explained that the city has this air compressor and it needs to be installed to keep projects moving forward. The quote presented by A&R Mechanical Contractors is for $6,116.50 for the labor to install this equipment. The money will be taken from the American Rescue Funds grant City received. Motion to approve A&R to install at a cost of $6,116.50 made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd by Alderman Tjarks, motion carried 7/0.

All further Agenda Items, E, F, & G, were tabled per Mayor Dickey’s instruction to Mayor Pro-Tem Davis.

E. Motion to Enter into Executive Session for the Limited Purpose of Discussing the Employment, Performance, and/or Compensation of One or More City Employees and Review of Executive Session Minutes of July 12,2021 and October 17, 2022, Pursuit to 5 ILS 120/2 ( c ) (1).

F. Return to Open Session

G. Consideration of Action Regarding a Personnel Issue

Motion to Adjourn made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, all in favor, meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

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