Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Sept. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Meeting was called 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: P 

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: P       Laura Miller: P

Pledge led by Alderman Tongate.

Visitors: Jim Peters GC Lions Club, Chief Adam Rosendahl, Supt. Brad Duncan, Chamber Rep. Suzanne Stachura, Resident Terry Roesch, Ford County Chronicle Jean Noellsch, City Atty Marc Miller.

Jim Peters representing GC Lions Club asked for approval to sell candy on October 6th & 7th at 8th & Sangamon and Rt. 47 & 8th, needs traffic cones. All in favor.

Suzanne Stachura representing Gibson City Chamber asked for permission to close Sangamon Ave. between 8th and 9th Streets on October 24th from 5-7 for annual Fright Night for children. (October 25th as a rain-date). Will need barricades. Council approved; Mayor suggested working with Supt. Martin for barricades.

Mayor read a request from Sam Horsch / Horsch Radish - asking permission to block part of the alley directly behind his business on September 22nd for Oktoberfest celebration, and to use full sidewalk in front of his restaurant on both weekends, Sept. 22nd & 23rd, and Sept. 29th & 30th, and to borrow a few picnic tables from the city. Council approved, with Supt. Martin's assistance with tables.

Motion to approve Minutes of August 28th made by Alderman Tongate 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos. Motion carried 8/0.

Committee Reports: 

Alderman Doug Parsons asked why we haven't passed the Ordinance to lower the driving age on golf cart permits from 21 to 18. Atty. Marc Miller stated that he will have it ready for the next regular council meeting. Parsons also asked about discussion to have some special signage around the elementary school, Atty. Miller stated he will review that with Supt. Martin and there may not be a need for an ordinance, but if so, he will have it ready at next regular meeting.  

Bills:

Motion to pay 2 TIF II Checks totaling $6,810.50 made by Alderman Miller, 2nd by Alderman Fisher, motion carried 8/0.

General questions/comments on bills/financials - Alderman Fisher asked if Closet 2 can continue to turn in façade grant invoices after noticing the one paid was not for full amount approved. Mayor suggested discussing with Scott Shull, but probably best to ask for all invoices to come in at one time for record keeping. Fisher also noted that there are some line items in Financials that have reached over 100% expenditure already in this fiscal year. Mayor suggested discussing with department heads.

Alderman Sarantakos asked about the Fehr-Graham invoice of over $5k, and when will the new pool issue be bid? Mayor stated he wants to meet with the Exploratory Pool Committee and bring a recommendation to council. Sarantakos also noted a discrepancy in payroll that should be discussed and asked for a Personnel Meeting to be called soon.

Motion to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $455,090.07 made by Alderman Fisher, 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion approved 7 in favor, Alderman Tongate abstained.

New Business:

A. Discussion and Consideration of the Amendment to Engineering Agreement with Donohue and Associates to Redesign the Wellfield for the Two New Sites in Falcon Pointe. Increased task list on Well #6 project has triggered an increase of $53,300.00, making the total contract $128,700.00. Motion to approve this Amendment #2 made by Alderman Hankes, 2nd by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 8/0.

B. Discussion and Consideration of Invoice 14289-03 CSO 2023 LTCP Update from Donohue and Associates on review of flow data from monitoring equipment and providing input data into model. Alderman Wyant made a motion to approve payment of this invoice in the amount of $2,665.00 to Donohue & Associates, 2nd made by Alderman Parsons, motion carried 8/0.

C. Discussion and Consideration of a Resolution Authorizing the Settlement of Issues Relating to 403 W. 10th St. and Release of a Related Lien. Total Lien is $9,045.08; city is being offered 75%, or $6,783.81 to release this lien. Discussion - council has questions about why we would accept less than 100% of our lien. Alderman Sarantakos stated that the contractor who owns this property hasn't completed or maintained other property in the same area and is reluctant to accept less than 100% of lien. Atty. Miller stated he will discuss with litigation attorney and report to council. Motion to table this Resolution to Release Lien was made by Alderman Fisher, 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion to table action approved 8-0.

Alderman Davis read the following motion: "Motion to enter into Executive Session for the limited purposes of discussing the purchase of real property for the use of the city pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2 (c) (5) and to discuss imminent litigation pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11). 2nd to this motion by Alderman Wyant. Motion carried 8-0. Council entered Executive Session at 7:25 p.m.

Council returned to open session at 8:30 p.m. 

D. Discussion and Consideration of an Ordinance Approving a Contract to Purchase Real Estate for Use by the City Water Department. Real Estate contract citing 3.89 acres of property at Falcon Pointe, negotiated between Mayor Dickey and Developer Steve Miller-agreed price of $39,500.00. Discussion -Alderman Parsons disagrees with the city spending money to buy more land than necessary for the two new wells unless there is a plan in place as to the full use of all the land. Supt. Duncan stated that he feels that the city will make use of all the acreage with easements, possible storage shed, road accesses to new wells. Motion to approve this Ordinance# 23-0-30, to enter the real estate contract with Developer Steve Miller for the full 3.89 acres (triangular northern tip at Falcon Pointe) for $39,500.00 made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, motion carried 6/2, Alderman Fisher and Alderman Parsons voted no. 

Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. 

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