Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met April 24.

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: P       Laura Miller: A 

Visitors: (Sign-in sheet attached) 

Alderman Hankes led the pledge. 

Approval of Minutes Regular City Council Meeting held on April 10, 2023 Alderman Fisher made a  motion approve minutes as submitted –2nd to the Motion by Alderman Hankes. Motion carried 5/0. 

VISITORS COMMENTS: 

Rylie Huls & Chloe Tjarks, GCMS students, asked for permission to block 9th Street from Sangamon  to the alley west on Sunday, May 7th from 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. to hold a fundraiser ‘drive-thru’ pork  chop dinner to benefit another GCMS elementary school student recently diagnosed with cancer.  Mayor Dickey and council approved and Mayor Dickey asked them to work with Supt. Martin for signs  and barricades. 

Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Vickie Lorenzen read the March report with no questions asked. 

Committee Reports – Alderman Tongate reminded council that there will be 4 Friday night cruise  events this year, 3rd Friday evenings May through August. 

OLD BUSINESS: 

A. Discussion and consideration to purchase new water meters. Supt. Martin addressed the council  that this issue has been pending for some time, and he is recommending that the city approve the  purchase of all new water meters (smart meters – can be read remotely) from Core & Main. The costs  will include the meters, installation and all software and support to operate. Alderman Davis stated  that the City could break even on the costs within 2-3 years by stopping the losses from antiquated  meters. Martin thinks if ordered now, we may be able to start installation by September. Alderman  Wyant made a motion to move forward with the purchase of the new water meters and system at a  cost not to exceed $1million dollars, to be paid from the bond money at 2.25 percent interest.  Alderman Hankes made the 2nd to this motion, motion passed 5/0.

Approval of Bills:  

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay three T.I.F. 2 checks the amount of $3,178.00 2nd by  Alderman Tongate, motion carried 5/0. (Fehr Graham - $ 1,988.00; Donohue - $ 1,000.00, Getty  Lawncare - $190.00) 

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $190,355.01, 2nd by  Alderman Wyant, motion carried 5/0. 

New Business 

A. Discussion and Consideration to Implement GIS. Jonathan Hodel of Cloudpoint Geospatial,  Roanoke, IL, gave a presentation about his company performing the GIS mapping for the city.  Mr. Hodel explained that his proposal covers 2 parts, mapping water mains and sanitary/storm  sewer mains, and includes software, support, and equipment, at a cost of $189,587.50. He  furthered asked that if other programs are being looked at, he be given an opportunity to  rewrite his proposal so it’s comparing ‘apples to apples’. Local resident Don Craig, who serves  as Deputy Executive Director for IRWA (Illinois Rural Water Association) addressed the council  and explained that as a non-profit organization, IRWA also provides GIS locating and mapping  services. Craig stressed regardless of who the council chooses to do the work, it is of great  importance to do the GIS locating and mapping to bring Gibson City into current standards. It  also improves chances with Federal grant programs if a city has the GIS location of utilities  done. Being local and non-profit, he estimated a cost not to exceed $50K, although admittedly  it will not be the only project, and would be worked on 3 days a week. After discussion, Alderman Hankes made the motion to approve GIS work to be done by IRWA  at a cost not to exceed $50K, 2nd to this motion was made by Alderman Wyant, motion passed  5/0. 

B. Discussion and Consideration of Changing Payment Method for the Acquisition of the Street  Sweeper, Vac Truck and Utility Inspection Camera Equipment. Mayor Dickey explained that  originally the purchases were approved with leases, but upon study, the city can save a great  deal of money by making the purchases outright from Bond funds at the 2.25% interest rate,  rather than lease interests at 5.4%. Alderman Wyant made a motion to approve the payment  of the new equipment from the bond funds at 2.25% interest, 2nd to his motion made by  Alderman Hankes, motion carried 5/0. 

C. Admin. Scott Shull explained to council that he checked with Gwen Crawford of Jacob Klein, (TIF advisors) and it is permissible to transfer money for the new roof on city hall from TIF 2 to  the newly formed Downtown TIF and replace the $360K expenditure that came from our  general fund. The cost was higher than budgeted due to extensive work, and this transfer will be a benefit to the general fund. Motion made by Alderman Davis to approve this transfer of  $360K from TIF 2 to Downtown TIF for new city hall roof, 2nd to his motion made by Alderman  Hankes, motion carried 4 in favor, with Alderman Fisher abstaining from the vote.

D. Discussion and Consideration of Presentation by Billie Jo Denny to Discuss Harvest Fest  Sponsorship. Billie Jo Denny and Brook Freels presented Harvest Fest plans for this 9th festival, and requested a city sponsorship of $7,500, an increase of $2,500 from past years.  The committee has taken on the Christmas parade and some events at Villas of Hollybrook. Motion was made by Alderman Davis to approve the $7,500 sponsorship to be paid from the  Marketing line item, 2nd to his motion made by Alderman Wyant, motion carried 5/0. 

E. Discussion and Consideration Harvest Fest Special Liquor License. Committee members  requested council approve a special liquor license to be issued to the Harvest Fest Committee  for Summer Bash on August 20th, and Harvest Fest on September 8th & 9th. Mayor Dickey  stated that typically city charges $1 – for the special liquor license for non-profit organizations.  Motion made by Alderman Tongate to approve special liquor licenses to the Harvest Fest  Committee for these dates, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, motion carried 5/0. 

F. Discussion and Approval to Create GCFS (Gibson City Future Success) Committee. Mayor  Dickey introduced creation of a new volunteer Committee, consisting of12 member board, 8 in  city limits, 4 outside, to meet at least 4 times a year, to make recommendations to council on  various ideas for future improvements and projects throughout the city. Attorney Miller clarified  that this committee is advisory only, no voting power, and volunteer. Motion to approve  Ordinance 2023-O-13, creating the GCFS Committee was made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd to  that motion by Alderman Davis, motion carried 5/0. 

G. Discussion and Consideration of Resolution 2023-R-2 Approving Regularly Scheduled Meeting  Dates for 2023-2024. By City Ordinance meeting dates are set forth annually, prepared by the  City Clerk. No questions, motion to approve Resolution 2023-R-2 meeting dates as presented  was made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd to that motion by Alderman Wyant, resolution passed 5/0. 

H. Discussion and Consideration of Façade Grant for Los Caminos. Moved to ‘old business’ until  owner can be present for questions. 

I. Discussion and Consideration to Renew Flowerpot Program. Alderman Wyant voiced his  opinion that the downtown area is looking cluttered after adding flowerpots along with all the  new benches and trash cans, and suggests moving the round flowerpots to other locations,  such as side streets or corners as in past. Motion was tabled to Old Business, Alderman  Wyant will talk with business owners for their input.  

J Motion to Enter into Executive Session at 8:30 p.m. for the Limited Purpose of Discussing the  Employment, Performance, and/or Compensation of One or More City Employees , Pursuit to  5 ILS 120/2 ( c ) (1), made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd to that motion by Alderman Hankes.  

K. Return to Open Session at 8:55 p.m. 

L. Alderman Wyant made a motion to approve a $2.00 per hour increase and 2 additional weeks’  vacation to Lt. Roy Acree. 2nd to this motion was made by Alderman Hankes, motion carried  5/0. 

Alderman Davis made a motion to give a 4% cost of living increase effective May 1st to all city  employees who have been employed for 1 year or more, which evens employees to the 4%  increases approved previously for the police under union contract, 2nd to this motion made by  Alderman Fisher, motion approved 5/0. 

Adjourn - Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Davis, 2nd to that motion made by Alderman Tongate, meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/4.24.23-Minutes.pdf