Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met July 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Meeting called to order by Clerk Hall in absence of Mayor Dickey and called for a Motion to approve Alderman Scott Davis to serve as Mayor Pro Tem as requested by Mayor Dickey. Alderman Fisher made a motion to approve Alderman Scott Davis to act as Mayor Pro Tem, 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Wyant. Motion carried unanimously.

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: P

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: P        Laura Miller: P

Visitors: Admin Scott Shull, Chief Rosendahl, Engineer Mike Friend F-W Group, Jean Noellsch – Ford County Chronicle, Kim Clemmons & Jordan Bidner – Gibson Area Swim Team; Keith and Ericka Lipka, Ria Voelker – 17th Street Residents; Kandace Hofer, Kelly Harris & Justin Carpenter– Gibson Chamber.

Alderman Parsons led the pledge.

Approval of Minutes of June 26, 2023. Motion made to approve by Alderman Fisher, 2nd to the motion by Alderman Wyant. Motion carried 8/0.

Recognition of Visitors:

Kim Clemmons announced she is helping coordinate a fund raiser at the Gibson City Pool in July, and asked requirements for a food truck, which does have a Ford County Health Dept. Permit. Chief Rosendahl informed her there are food vendor forms required and are available during the day at the police department.

Chamber representatives reviewed their plans for the Summer Bash on July 21st following the July Cruise Night. Sangamon Avenue will be blocked between 7th & 8th, with snow fencing/wrist bands for alcohol sales. Alderman Wyant asked that all future event planners provide a written list of needs and numbers of each (tables, snow fence, barricades) so the Supt. Martin will be prepared.

Engineer Mike Friend provided updates on the chip and seal work for this year. The street sweeping is to begin by the end of this week, and dust is certain, may want windows closed while they are working on your street. The following week the oil process will begin, and Chief Rosendahl and Supt. Martin will be prepared to help with blocking traffic. Absolutely no vehicles can be on the street when oil goes on, and two towing companies are going to be here ready to move any vehicles, towing costs are at the owner’s expense. Maps will be available on social media and in the news. Last year was a smooth process and no vehicles were towed. Hoping for the same smooth process this year. Alderman Parsons asked that Gibson City Telecare Transportation Services and Gibson Area Hospital Medi-vans be provided maps for their planning of transportation.

Alderman Wyant stated that he will be calling a Water/Sewer meeting for later this week, to be announced.

Approval of Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Hankes to pay 2 TIF-2 checks the totaling of $1,102.00, 2nd by Alderman Fisher, motion carried 8/0.

Motion made by Alderman Tongate to pay 1 Downtown TIF check in the amount of $912.00, 2nd by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 6 in favor, and Aldermen Wyant & Fisher abstaining.

Motion made by Alderman Sarantakos to pay General Fund bills totaling $159,959.83, 2nd made by Alderman Parsons, motion carried 7 in favor, Alderman Wyant abstained.

New Business: 

A. Discussion and Consideration of making Lott Blvd. between 15th & 17th Streets one way south by Elementary school. Alderman Parsons made a motion to approve the request that was presented by Supt. Jeremy Darnell at a previously held Streets & Alleys Committee Meeting. Alderman Miller made the second. Mayor Pro-Tem asked for discussion and Ericka and Keith Lipka spoke on behalf of themselves and neighbors on Lott Blvd and 17th Streets that will be affected by this change. Ms. Lipka explained they learned of this proposal by reading it in the Ford County Chronicle. She asked why her aldermen did not contact any of the residents and was told that during the presentation Mr. Darnell had stated that he had talked with the neighbors.

Keith Lipka cited several scenarios of the traffic issues they have already dealt with and that their driveway is often blocked by parents waiting in line for school drop-off and pick-up. Many concerns were voiced by Lipkas, and Alderman Fisher asked if given the opportunity, would other neighbors voice their concerns in person. One neighbor was present, and Lipkas felt certain with more notice others will attend. Lipka went on to say he is puzzled as to how this will make Lott Blvd ‘safer.’ Alderman Parsons withdrew his motion, and Alderman Miller withdrew her second to that motion, and Alderman Parsons, Chairman of Streets & Alleys will call a committee meeting to invite all parties affected before a decision will be made. Engineer Mike Friend has been working with Supt. Martin on a striping plan with the one-way plan in mind, and he stated he will put an immediate hold on that work.

B. Discussion and Consideration of Façade Grant for & H&R Block. An application was submitted for a plan to paint the front and south sides of the H&R Block Building, and to repair and resurface the blacktop parking area. Total of the improvements is $2,440.00, and the city can pay up to 50%. Alderman Wyant made a motion to pay 50%, or $1,220 of this façade grant. Second to his motion was made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 8/0.

Motion to Adjourn made by Alderman Miller, 2nd by Alderman Sarantakos, meeting adjourned @ 8:10 p.m.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/July-10-2023-Minutes.pdf