Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met March 13.

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. Motion by Alderman Miller to appoint Alderman Wyant as Mayor Pro-tem for this meeting, 2nd to that motion made by Alderman Hankes, motion carried 5/0.

Roll Call:

Ward #1 Susie Tongate: P       Vacancy: ___

Ward #2 Randy Wyant: P        Ray Hankes: P

Ward #3 Scott Davis: A            Vacancy: ___

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: P         Laura Miller: P

Jr. Alderman Allison Spiller A

Visitors: (Sign-in sheet attached) Chief Rosendahl, Supts. Martin & Duncan, Admin Scott Shull, Donohue Engineer Will Gray, Farnsworth Engineer Mike Friend, Resident Jeremy Darnell, Ford County Chronicle reporter Jean Noellsch.

Alderman Hankes led the pledge.

Approval of Minutes of February 27, 2023 Alderman Tongate made a motion approve minutes of

February 27, 2023 as submitted –2nd to the Motion by Alderman Fisher, Motion carried 5/0.

VISITORS COMMENTS:

Jeremy Darnell – introduced himself as a 13 year resident, as well as being GCMS School Supt., invested personally and professionally in the community, and addressed council with concerns about water and stormwater issues, as well as concerns on revenue and expenditure priorities. Mr. Darnell provided handouts of the 2020 TIF 2 Summary Report to all council members. Personally he cited having to replace his water heater 4 times in 13 years, and twice replacing all faucets and seals, as well as adding a whole house water filtration system due to poor water quality. Mr. Darnell offered suggestions about increasing city revenues to keep up with infrastructure maintenance and repairs.

He also stated his concern about spending TIF money to repay the $7.5 million dollar bond issue, hoping priorities lie with water / stormwater before recreational needs, that possibly the new pool idea be considered as a referendum issue after infrastructure needs are addressed. He closed with saying he is here to be an additional resource of ideas and not here to point fingers.

Mayor Pro-Tem Wyant then stated that Mayor Dickey requests a Special Council meeting be held Tuesday, March 21st at 6:00 p.m. to address the recent stormwater drainage problems and other water related concerns. Both Supt. Martin and Supt. Duncan have been working with Alderman Wyant, Mayor Dickey, and Engineer Will Gray on these issues.

OLD BUSINESS:

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

Engineer Mike Friend reported that Farnsworth has worked with City Attorney Marc Miller to address the liability limitations, and with both parties satisfied, asked the City to sign the Master Services Agreement. No cost involved, Alderman Fisher made the motion to enter into the Master Services Agreement as presented, 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Miller, roll call vote, motion carried 5/0.

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

Engineer Mike Friend explained this task order will continue the chip and seal work as begun last year with the special trap rock, and he will be working with Supt. Martin to identify and create a map for the new year. The 2023 Chip/Seal Project will be capped at $250K, and the Task Order fee for this is $21,900.00 Motion to approved as presented made by Alderman Hankes, 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Miller, motion approved 5/0.

C. Consideration to Approve Task Order # 2 with Farnsworth Group for a Preliminary Jordan Drive Pavement Study. Engineer Mike Friend explained this project is to take several core samples and determine traffic and weight load on Jordan Drive. The total for this task order is $15,300.00, motion to approve made by Alderman Hankes, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 5/0.

D. Ordinance Authorizing City entering into a Purchase Agreement with the Bible Church for land for a new well. This item will be addressed at the next council meeting, according to an email received from City Attorney Marc Miller earlier this evening.

Approval of Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay three T.I.F. 2 checks the amount of $115,228.90, 2nd by

Alderman Hankes, motion carried 5/0. (GCMS-103,214.20; GCFPD$2,145.20; Fehr Graham Eng $9,869.50 design fees)

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay one T.I.F. 3 check to GCMS in the amount of $2,356.20, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 4 in favor, Alderman Miller abstained due to owning property in TIF 3.

Motion made by Alderman Tongate to pay one M.F.T. check to Opperman Construction (10th & West Street) in the amount of $100,414.57, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, motion carried 5/0.

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $ 84673.57, 2nd by

Alderman Miller, motion carried 5/0.

New Business:

A. Consideration to approve a task order from Donohue & Associates to address stormwater drainage issues. Engineer Will Gray stated he has been working with city superintendents, Alderman Wyant and Mayor Dickey as to how best to address the drainage issues. The cost of this task order is not to exceed $19,500K and will have a 180-day turnaround time. Motion to approve this task order was made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd to this motion by Alderman Fisher, motion carried 5/0. This will be the topic at the special council meeting called for next Tuesday evening at 6:00 p.m.

Motion to Adjourn made by Alderman Miller to adjourn, 2nd by Alderman Fisher, Motion carried unanimously; meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

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