Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Feb. 13.

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      Vacancy: ___

Ward #2 Randy Wyant: P       Ray Hankes: P

Ward #3 Scott Davis: P           Vacancy: ___

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: A         Laura Miller: P

Jr. Alderman Allison Spiller A

Visitors: (Sign-in sheet attached) Jean Noellsch, Ford County Chronicle, Officer Austin Rosenbaum,, Admin. Scott Shull, Supt. Tyler Martin, Engineer Mike Friend -Farnsworth Group, Engineer Will Gray, Donohue, Steve Kelly & Mark Ditsworth of One Earth Energy, Ivy & Frankie Ward, Jim Peters GC Lions Club, Sarah Sarantakos, Karen Kummerow Recycling Chairman.

Alderman Hankes led the pledge.

Approval of Minutes of January 23, 2023 Alderman Hankes made a motion approve minutes of January 23, 2023 as submitted -2nd to the Motion by Alderman Wyant, Motion carried 5/0.

VISITORS COMMENTS:

Ivy Ward has reserved the use of North Park on May 13th, from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., to have an "All Awareness Day". Activities include a paint walk @ 11:00, kids activities, food concessions, music, and booths to promote any organization and individual wishing to share awareness and resources in support of a wide range of causes. (see attached flyer) Ms. Ward requested that 13th & 14th, Lott Blvd and Church Streets be barricaded on across corners for the day. Mayor Dickey asked her to work with Supt. Martin and GCPD as the date nears. Council supported the requests.

Jim Peters - Gibson City Lions Club - announced annual 'Candy Sales Days' as May 12 & 13th, asked 8th & Sangamon, and 8th at Bradbury Auto be used as their sale points as in past years. Council agreed to his requests.

Christina DeFossett, introduced herself as the new owner of 134 N. Sangamon Avenue, the building she purchased from Jerry & Mary Holsten. Ms. DeFossett has empty spaces in the building along 9th Street from retailers moving to other locations, and wants to change them into '30 day stay' apartment units. City Attorney Marc Miller stated that we have a list in each zoning area of 'allowable uses', and B-1, her building, does not permit apartments on first floor. The upstairs apartments were 'grandfathered in' prior to zoning. His recommendation was to have her meet informally with the Plan Commission to find out if there are changes that may be allowed. Many questions need to be answered before a decision can be made. City Clerk Jan Hall will work with her to provide contact information of Plan Commission contacts and assist her in reviewing the current zoning code that applies. No action at this time.

Karen Kummerow - announced an electronics recycling agreement / event that will begin March 4 and be held monthly on the same first Saturday as our regular recycling event. This is not city sponsored, there is a charge for items, and it is operated privately by Fred Honaker. Mayor Dickey and Karen Kummerow have discussed this and see a need, especially since our local salvage yard is now closed indefinitely. (A list of items and prices is attached)

OLD BUSINESS:

A. Consideration / Discussion regarding ADA compliant lift replacement.

B. Quote from Ram Clean for Additional Cleaning after restoration and painting project.

C. Quote from Fashion Shop for new carpet in Mayor's office & small conference room. (Supt. Martin read the quotes for commercial carpet tiles in the Mayor's office and small conference room from Fashion Shop - total of $3,271.72. Alderman Tongate made motion to approve this cost, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 5-0.

Committee Reports:

Supt. Tyler Martin - reported that the excess rock that has been thrown from snow plows is being cleaned up, hopefully before mowing season.

Approval of Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Davis to pay 1T.I.F. 2 check in the amount of $11,489.09, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 5/0.

Motion made by Alderman Miller to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $224,186.79, 2nd by Alderman Davis, motion carried 4/ with Alderman Wyant abstaining from the vote.

New Business:

G. Discussion and Approval of an Ordinance for the Annexation and Rezoning from Agricultural to Manufacturing of a 103 Acre Tract Located NW Adjacent to the Current One Earth Energy Plant. The Plan Commission met at 5:30 p.m. and reviewed the proposed annexation and discussed the change of zoning with Steve Kelly of One Earth Energy. One Earth is owner of 103 acres of farm ground that abuts their current operations in manufacturing. The recommendation from the Plan Commission is to accept this annexation and change the zoning from Agriculture to Manufacturing. Alderman Wyant made the motion to so approve Ordinance No. 2023-0-03, with Alderman Hankes making the 2nd to the motion. Motion carried 5/0.

A. Consideration of Donohue Engineering Services Agreement for Water Treatment Plant Upgrade and New Well. Engineer Will Gray summarized to council the Engineering Task Order, a part of the 'moving forward initiative'. Compensation for the work as defined is a lump sum of $105,130.00 Alderman Hankes made the motion to approve Donohue's task order as explained by Engineer Will Gray, for the lump sum of $105,130.00 compensation. Motion carried 5/0.

B. Consideration of Donohue Engineering Services Agreement Task Order 071 - Source Water Protection Plan - Engineer Will Gray explained this is an unfunded mandate by IEPA, and which requires a Source Water Protection Plan which is due by July 2023. Total cost of this work by Donohue is $28,500.00. Motion made by Alderman Miller, with 2nd by Alderman Wyant, to approve this work. Motion carried 5/0.

C. Consideration of Public Water Supply Loan Program Ordinance Authorizing Loan Agreement Non- Home Rule City. Ordinance No. 2023-0-4, which continues the flow of working with IEPA for a low interest loan / bonds, in the amount of $3.5 million dollars, with a 20 year maturity, to be repaid by Project Revenues, and has a forgiveness of $1.25 million dollars. This would be for the needed improvements at the Water treatment Plant and the implementation of Well No. 6. Attorney Miller suggests that council can approve this Ordinance as it is not yet committing the City, but also he wants to have Bond Counsel review the terms to protect the City. Motion to approve Ordinance No. 2023-0-04 made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Miller, motion carried 5/0.

*D. Consideration to Approve a Standard Master Services Agreement with Farnsworth Group

*E. Consideration to Approve Task Order #1 with Farnsworth Group for the 2023 Chip Seal Project

*F. Consideration to Approve Task Order # 2 with Farnsworth Group for a Preliminary Jordan Drive Pavement Study

*Attorney Miller suggested that paragraph #42 of the Master Services Agreement be changed from a maximum liability of $50K, to the actual maximum of liability carried, probably in the range of $7 million. After discussion, council chose to table Items D, E, and F until changes to the contract are in place. (Items moved to old business).

H. Discussion of a Proposed Replat of Property Comprised of the Falcon Point Subdivision to Gibson City. Clerk Hall reported that Plan Commission had no recommendation at this time, as they want to schedule another meeting to review details of this request with Developer Steve Miller.

I. Consideration of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 12, Article I of the City Of Gibson Code as it Relates to Residency Requirement. Ordinance change is specific to the Wastewater Superintendent be allowed to live more than the 20-mile restriction permits. Alderman Tongate questioned if this should be a broader definition of which workers can live further than the 20 miles. At this time, visitor Sarah Sarantokos asked to voice her opinion, which was that she was very much against this change being broad, because she believes the workers should live in Gibson City. She stated that allowing workers to live in other communities takes our tax money that pays their salaries and real estate taxes outside of Gibson City, which she is against. Further discussion was that it was agreed to allow newly hired Waste Water Superintendent to remain in his home in Fairbury, and that the 20 mile restriction will still apply to all other workers. Motion to accept the amended Ordinance, No. 2023-O- 05 was made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 5/0.

J. Consideration of Changes to the Users on the City Credit Card to Add Brad Duncan with a Limit of $ 5,000 and Remove Wayne Link. Motion to remove former employee Wayne Link from the city credit card and replace with Brad Duncan, made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd by Alderman Miller, motion carried 5/0.

Motion to Adjourn made by Alderman Davis to adjourn, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, Motion carried unanimously; meeting adjourned at: 8:15 p.m.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2.13.23-Council-Minutes.pdf