Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Sept. 25.

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: A

Visitors: Supt. Martin, Admin Shull, Officer Rosenbaum, Treasurer Lorenzen, City Atty. Miller, Resident Terry Roesch, Michelle Brucker & Missy Heavilin representing ‘After Prom’ Committee, Atty Justin Brunner-Thomas Mamer Law Office, and Jean Noellsch – Ford County Chronicle.

Pledge led by Alderman Wyant.

Motion to approve Minutes of September 11th made by Alderman Sarantakos, 2nd made by Alderman Tongate. Motion carried 7/0.

Visitors: 

Michelle Brucker & Missy Heavilin representing the After Prom Committee explained plans for a fund raiser on the day of the Lighted Holiday Parade, which is scheduled for the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The committee wants to have horse/carriage rides, sell hot chocolate & cookies, and have a photo booth. They are asking to barricade 8th @ Sangamon to the alley and use the north side of the street for the carriage to load and unload, near Syd & Sadies. There route will travel south on Lott Blvd from 8th Street to 2nd Street, turn and return coming north on Wood Street back to 8th. Council voiced no concerns and Mayor Dickey asked that they work with Supt. Martin on details and barricades, and suggest they talk with Harvest Fest Committee who are in charge of the parade route.

Supt. Martin announced clean-up of excess ‘trap rock’ will be done on October 9th, a day when school is not in session.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Lorenzen read the August Treasurer’s report and Alderman Sarantakos questioned why the Park & Forestry funds have negative balances. Admin. Shull answered that he has transferred funds into those accounts according to budget and it will show in next report. No further questions.

Bills: 

Motion to pay 4 TIF 2 checks totaling $305,708.01 made by Alderman Hankes, 2nd by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 6 in favor, Alderman Fisher abstained.

Motion to pay 2 Downtown TIF checks totaling $300,856.28 made by Alderman Sarantakos, 2nd by Alderman Davis, motion carried 5 in favor, Aldermen Fisher & Wyant abstained.

Motion to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $136,114.58 made by Alderman Hankes, 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion approved 6 in favor, Alderman Wyant abstained.

Old business: Consideration to accept a payment and release a lien on property located at 403 W. 10th tabled to next meeting.

New Business:

A. Fence quotes – Supt. Martin presented 2 quotes for fencing to be placed around 4 of the Water Well houses to protect the new generators. Peerless Fence of Bloomington was the low bid of $25, 790 including a service gate at each location. Alderman Wyant made the motion to approve the bid from Peerless Fencing at a cost not to exceed $25,790.00, 2nd by Alderman Davis, motion carried 7/0.

B. Task Order 076 presented from Donohue & Associates to update the city Zoning map and provide the city with (2) color 30”x30” maps, and electronic PDF version, at a cost not to exceed $2,500.00 Alderman Tongate made a motion to approve the $2500 task order #076, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 7/0.

C. Ordinance No. 2023-O-31, Alderman Parsons made a motion to approve Ordinance 2023-O-31 amending Water & Sewer Rates and Establishing a new Drainage Fee of $10 per residential account and 5% per non-residential account. Other changes are minimum Bi-monthly water rate shall be $25.00 inside corporate limits, $30 outside corporate limits; minimum Bi-monthly sewer rate shall be $15.00. 2nd to this motion to approve was made by Alderman Hankes, motion carried 7/0.

D. Ordinance No. 2023-O-32, amending the Golf Cart Ordinance, by lowering the driver age from 21 to 18. Alderman Hankes made a motion to approve, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, motion passed 7/0.

Alderman Davis made a motion to Enter Executive Session for the limited purpose of discussing the purchase of real estate for use by the City for public purposes pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2. (c) (5) and for the purposes of discussing probable or imminent litigation on behalf of the City before a court pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11). 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Wyant. Motion carried 7/0.

Council returned to regular session at 8:00. No comments from Executive Session.

Alderman Fisher announced he will be away for the next 6 meetings for family business and asked to attend meetings remotely. Atty Miller stated that he can attend remotely, listen, and enter discussion, but not vote remotely. Council is agreeable to his participation electronically.

Alderman Miller made a motion to adjourn, 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos. Motion passed 6/0, meeting adjourned.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/September-25-2023-Minutes.pdf