Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Oct. 23.

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: A    Sarah Sarantakos: P

Ward #2 Randy Wyant: P     Ray Hankes : P

Ward #3 Scott Davis: A         Doug Parsons: P

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: A       Laura Miller: P

Visitors: City Treasurer Vickie Lorenzen, Supts. Duncan & Martin, Asst. Supt. Nolte, Admin Shull, Officer Rosenbaum, City Atty. Miller, Bryan Benjamin-Benjamin Landscaping, Chairman of Zoning Marty Nuss, and Mike Friend – Farnsworth Engineers.

Pledge led by Alderman Parsons.

Motion to approve Minutes of October 9, 2023 made by Alderman Miller, 2nd made by Alderman Hankes. Motion carried 5/0.

Committee Reports: 

Alderman Sarantakos: Called a meeting of Parks, Buildings & Technology Committee to be held Monday November 6th @ 6:00 p.m. in council chambers. Purpose is to discuss the proposed pool project, scout cabin repairs, and other parks & buildings concerns.

Supt. Martin reported that we have taken several trees down, and we have purchased 10 trees from Onarga to replace some. Update on the railing along the new sidewalk on north side of 8th Street, some issues have come up with using the railing that was taken down from 9th Street, he is working on it.

Treasurer’s Report: 

Treasurer Lorenzen read the September report, no questions were asked.

Bills: 

Motion to pay 2 Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) checks to Fehr Graham (new pool plans) in the amount of $11,159.25, and to reimburse General Fund for expenses made on CA trip - $1,289.00, made by Alderman Hankes, 2nd by Alderman Miller, motion carried 5/0.

Motion to pay General Fund bills in the amount of $196,870.96 made by Alderman Sarantakos, 2nd made by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 3 yes, with Aldermen Miller & Wyant abstaining.

Old business: Consideration to accept a payment and release a lien on property located at 403 W. 10th remains tabled. Mayor Dickey has been in conversations about this release and relayed council’s request for 100% of the lien to be paid back to the City. Continued to next meeting.

New Business: 

A. Discussion and Consideration of Quotes for Purchase of Snow-Plows for Streets. Supt. Martin presented two quotes for new snowplows, one from Central Illinois Truck and Trailer, Urbana, Illinois – total of $22,614.32 for 2 steel plows, the other from Clauss Specialties of Cissna Park, for $24,514.40. Martin recommended accepting the quote from Central Illinois Truck & Trailer for $22,614.32 and stated that this was discussed and put into his budget for this year. Motion to accept Supt. Martin’s recommendation made by Alderman Miller, 2nd by Alderman Parsons, motion carried 5/0.

B. Discussion and Consideration of Quotes for Leaf Clean Up for this Fall. Two bids submitted – Getty Landscaping: $$6,500 per clean-up at $19,500 per year, Benjamin Landscaping $1,600 per clean-up. Mr. Benjamin was present and clarified that with so many unknowns about the project it was difficult to quote. Several questions about how many days it takes, how many times pick-up is done per season, when will it start. Mayor Dickey suggested this be held over until more clarification is made that the exact information is provided regarding number of clean-ups required, quotes be same – whether it is hourly, daily, seasonal, to be asked the same from all submitting a quote so the council can compare fairly, ‘apples to apples.’ Motion to table this matter to next meeting made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd made by Alderman Parsons, motion to table carried 5/0.

C. Discussion and consideration of Quotes for Replacement of Variable Frequency Drive for Storm Pump at Wastewater Plant. Two bids submitted: Britton Electronics, Pekin, IL : $$13,176 and Gasvoda & Associates, Calumet City: $11,106.01 or $9,940.60 (depending on model) Supt. Duncan explained that the plant operates with two variable speed drives, and one has been down for some time. His recommendation is to buy at the lowest price because it will serve the purpose and will not be used when the new plant is up and running. Motion made by Alderman Wyant, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, to accept the low bid of $9,940.60 for one variable speed drive from Gasvoda & Associates, Inc. – motion passed 5/0.

D. Discussion and Consideration of Zoning Board Recommendation Regarding Property at 612 E. 5th Street in Gibson City, IL. Chairman of Zoning Board Marty Nuss was present to make a recommendation to the council regarding their meeting held, Wednesday, October 11th, for a variance to permit new residents Joe & Laura Kohlmann of 612 E. 5th Street, to build a new Coach garage on their property. Chairman Nuss went on to explain the Kohlmann’s are not attending tonight due to a health issue, but his board did agree to recommend approval of this variance to council. Alderman Hankes made a motion to approve a variance as requested consistent with the building permit on file and with the Zoning Board’s recommendation as incorporated herein. 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Wyant, motion carried 5/0.

E. Discussion and Consideration of COOP Advertising with WCIA, WGCY and Ford County Chronicle. Mayor Dickey stated that the city has agreed to this advertising agreement for the Holiday Parade for many years, and the arrangement is the City pays a matching amount per business, up to a total of $5,000 to WCIA, $1,500 to WGCY and $500 to the Ford County Chronicle, paid from the budget line item of Marketing. Motion to continue this holiday advertising arrangement as stated by Mayor Dickey was made by Alderman Hankes, 2nd to the motion made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 5/0.

Alderman Parsons made a motion to adjourn, 2nd made by Alderman Hankes. Motion passed 5/0, meeting adjourned @ 7:45 p.m.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/October-23-2023-Minutes.pdf