Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met May 22.

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    Sarah Sarantakos: P

Ward #2 Randy Wyant: P     Ray Hankes : P

Ward #3 Scott Davis: P        Doug Parsons: A

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: A      Laura Miller: A

Visitors: Chief Rosendahl, Admin Scott Shull, Treasurer Vickie Lorenzen, Supts. Duncan and Martin, Gibson Area Hospital CEO Rob Schmitt, Gibson Area Hospital Events Manager, Engineer Will Gray.

Alderman Wyant led the pledge.

Mike Bleich provided information to council regarding annual events, Clean-Up Day, Saturday, June 3rd, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Plans are the same with the exception of not having Strebeck Salvage to take metal. Arrangements have been made, and Mike thanked the sponsors: Gibson City Maintenance Department, Local Boy Scouts, and Ford County Thrivent. Mike went on to inform council of the annual Fishing Derby, scheduled for Sunday, June 4th, at Jordan Pond. Noon registration, open to all kids under 14, accompanied by an adult. Fishing 12:30-2:30, hot dogs, chips and drink provided. Special thanks to annual sponsor Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services & Thrivent Financial. Event is hosted by the Pheasants Forever Young Guns and Gibson City Pond Committee. Mayor Dickey thanked Mike Bleich for all his continued volunteer hours to Gibson City.

Bill Kirby, Gibson Area Hospital – gave the council an update to their annual Summer Bash, which will be held Saturday August 19th in the evening. Food vendors are getting their permits, entertainment is ‘38 Special’, and promises to be even larger than last year. Kirby will see that Special Event Liquor License is obtained.

Approval of Minutes Regular City Council Meeting held on May 8, 2023 Alderman Hankes made a motion approve minutes as submitted –2nd to the Motion by Alderman Tongate. Motion carried 5/0.

OLD BUSINESS:

No Action at this time.

A. Los Caminos Façade Grant – Discuss & Consideration. Façade Grants are a 50/50 match after work is done and bills are submitted, with City’s portion maximum being $5K.

Treasurer’s Report was read by Treasurer Vickie Lorenzen. Alderman Sarantakos asked procedure when CD’s hit mature date. Lorenzen explained that she checks rates with both local banks and talks with Finance Chairman Scott Davis for his recommendation on renewal.

Approval of Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Hankes to pay 2 T.I.F. 2 checks the amount of $1,822.16 (Getty - $856, Jacob Klein $966.16), 2nd by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 5/0.

Motion made by Alderman Tongate to pay 1 Downtown T.I.F. check in the amount of $360,000, 2nd by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 4 in favor, Alderman Wyant abstained due to owning property in the downtown TIF.

Motion made by Alderman Hankes to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $156,321.79, 2nd by Alderman Wyant, motion carried 5/0.

New Business

A. Discussion and Consideration of Task Order #073 – CSO 2023 Long Term Control Plan Update from Donohue & Associates. Engineer Will Gray explained this task order will continue the work of Storm / Sewer Water Separation project because even with all the work completed, the City was unable to stay under the allowed ‘4 CSO events’ per year. The cost is not to exceed $72,000. Alderman Wyant stated that this was discussed thoroughly in his Committee meeting Monday, May 15th, and it is their recommendation to continue. Alderman Wyant made the motion to approve Task Order #073 at a cost not to exceed $72,000, second to his motion made by Alderman Davis, motion carried 5/0.

B. Discussion and Consideration of Task Order #074 – Misc. On-Call Development Review provided by Donohue & Associates to work with and advise current developers in representing the city’s best interest. Cost of this Task Order not to exceed $2,000 and will provide a ‘bank’ for the Engineers to bill to for their time. Alderman Sarantakos asked Engineer Will Gray his hourly rate, to which he replied $165.00 per hour. Motion made by Alderman Hankes to approve Task Order #074 not to exceed $2,000, 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Davis, motion carried 5/0.

C. Discussion and Consideration of Test Well Bid Award Recommendation by Donohue & Associates. Engineer Will Gray reported that of 6 plan holders, only one bid was submitted to perform the test on Well #6. Albrecht Well Drilling of Ohio, IL bid $120,500 for this job. Gray recommended council proceed and explained that the funding will be included in the low interest loan with forgiveness from IEPA. Alderman Davis asked when payment is expected and Gray responded, ‘upon completion’. Alderman Sarantakos asked when they can start, and the response was within a month. Gray expects the loan to close in November of this year, so the city will need to budget for this job with the plan to be reimbursed by IEPA loan. Motion made by Alderman Sarantakos to approve accepting the bid from Albrecht Well Drilling for $120,500, with a second to her motion made by Alderman Wyant. Motion carried 5/0.

D. Discussion and Consideration of a Purchase of a New Vehicle for the Sewer Plant Operations. Supt. Duncan provided 3 quotes for the exact same vehicle, a Ford 150 Heavy ½ ton, XL base pkg and upgraded suspension, including licensing and title work. Bids were: Mike Murphy Ford of Morton - $51,860.00; Springfield Landmark Ford – $52, 296; and low bid from K&S Ford in Fairbury - $48,200.00. Duncan stated this vehicle will be crucial in pulling the new camera equipment that is coming. Motion made by Alderman Wyant to approve the low bid by K&S of Fairbury, $48,200, second to that motion by Alderman Hankes. Motion carried 5/0.

E. 7:30 p.m. - Alderman Wyant made a Motion to Enter into Executive Session for the Limited Purpose of Discussing Specific Employee Transferring into Water Treatment Plant and His Skill Set and Wages and Employment of One or More Employees for the Wastewater Plant Pursuit to 5 ILS 120/2 ( c ) (1), 2nd by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 5/0, council entered Executive Session.

F. Return to Open Session @ 7:50 p.m.

G. Alderman Wyant made a motion to move employee Rob Knerr, (currently in Streets & Alleys, to work at the Water Treatment Plant, and continue the rotation he does at the Sewer Plant, at an increase of $2.00 per hour due to him currently having Water & Sewer licenses in place. This will take effect at next pay period, second to this motion was made by Alderman Davis, motion carried 5/0.

Alderman Wyant then made a motion to hire Josh McNutt to work under Supt. Duncan’s supervision at the Wastewater Plant, at a rate of $20.50 per hour, to start as soon as possible after he gives 2 weeks’ notice at current employment. Second to this motion made by Alderman Hankes, motion carried 5/0.

Motion to adjourn at 7:53 p.m. made by Alderman Sarantakos, 2nd made by Alderman Davis, all in favor, meeting adjourned.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/5.22.23-Minutes.pdf