Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Dec. 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: A         Laura Miller: P 

Visitors: Supts. Martin & Duncan, Officer Moore, Admin Shull, Eng. Mike Friend of Farnsworth Group, Jean Noellsch – Ford County Chronicle. 

Pledge led by Alderman Tongate 

Motion to approve Minutes of November 27, 2023 made by Alderman Sarantakos, 2nd made by  Alderman. Motion carried 7/0. 

Administrative Report:  

Committee Reports: 

Supt. Martin reported that Getty Landscaping is currently working on leaf removal on east/west streets south of 14th Street.  

Supt. Duncan reported there was a major sewer line back-up in the alley from 7th Street north to Horsch Radish restaurant. Problem was 12” diameter grease plugs from restaurants. Supt. Duncan sent communications to restaurant owners and will meet with them regarding proper maintenance of grease traps in their buildings. 

Old business:  

A. Solar Farm Project – Continued to January 8th, 2024 meeting. 

B. Sales Tax increase – Alderman Davis, Chairman of Finance, reported that at their meeting last Thursday, it was discussed and agreed to recommend passing Ordinance 2023-O-37, calling for a referendum issue to raise sales tax rate by 1%. The intent would of the increase is to focus on the new swimming pool project, but to include other public infrastructure projects as well.

Alderman Davis previously spoke with Bank President Tracy Epps and was provided a scenario of ‘if the city borrowed $7 million dollars for twenty years at 6% interest, the annual payment would likely be covered by the sales tax with the 1% increase. Davis stressed this is all speculation at  this point. The first course of action recommended is to have the voters decide by referendum whether or not to raise city sales tax by 1%. Davis made a motion to approve Ordinance 2023-O 37, which requests the question of a 1% increase in sales tax be placed on the March 19th, 2024  ballot, 2nd to his motion made by Alderman Sarantakos. Discussion – Alderman Parsons expressed concerns about using the sales tax to cover other problems like drainage issues. Rob Schmitt asked if the referendum passes, where does the city get the money to operate the new pool, and also questioned the necessity of an ordinance to raise the sales tax by 1%. Mayor  Dickey placed a call to Attorney Miller, who confirmed a referendum is required. Alderman Sarantakos reminded council that the Engineer did say if we do not move forward with the new  pool, our current pool will not open next summer. Mayor Dickey reminded council that once the vote is taken, all council members must remain neutral on the issue, it would be for another group to promote the issue. Questions asked of how long this new pool planning has been going on, response was 2019. Next question was what has the city spent so far on engineering, answer was $167K for design plans that are ready to bid. Roll call vote to pass Ordinance 2023-O-36, motion  passed 7-0.  

Bills: 

Motion made by Alderman Sarantakos to pay 1 check from Bond Fund in the amount of $78,750.00 to Core & Main towards water meter project, 2nd made by Alderman Miller, motion approved 7/0. 

Motion to pay 3 TIF 2 checks in the amount of $237,771.04 made by Alderman Sarantakos, 2nd made by Alderman Parsons, motion approved 7/0. 

Motion made by Alderman Hankes to pay 1 TIF 3 check in the amount of 6,669.30, 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion approved 5 in favor, and Aldermen Davis & Miller abstained due to owning property in TIF 3.  

Motion to pay General fund checks in the amount of $143,736.85 made by Alderman Parsons, 2nd made by Alderman Wyant, motion approved 7/0. 

New Business: 

A. Engineer Mike Friend of Farnsworth Group summarized the Final Change Order #2 for the 10th & West Streets project, stating it shows a finalized contract deduction of $13,827.55. Motion made by Alderman Davis to approve the Final Change Order showing the overall cost being lower by $13,827.55, 2nd to his motion made by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 7/0. 

B. Engineer Mike Friend summarized the Final Pay Estimate #4 for the 10th & West Streets project and payment to Opperman Construction in amounts of $10,981.60 from Motor Fuel Funds, and $1,018.40 from General Funds, for a total of $12,000.00. Alderman Wyant made a motion to approve the $12,000 as explained, 2nd made by Alderman Miller, motion approved  7/0.

C. Discussion & Consideration of Ordinance # 2023-O-37 regarding the Illinois Paid Leave for All  Workers Act. Mayor Dickey explained this Ordinance was prepared by city attorney to protect the City from the newly passed state law providing 40-hours paid leave because of current employee policy provides more than this, and if we do not pass this, we would have an undue burden to add additional hours of paid leave. Alderman Tongate made a motion to pass Ordinance # 2023-O 37, 2nd to her motion made by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 7/0.  

Other business – Alderman Sarantakos brought up the subject of the 403 W. 10th Street property, which the City has a lien on, but owners were asking to only pay 75%. Sarantakos stated that council agreed early in the discussion that they want 100%, and she doesn’t see the need for further legal fees since there is nothing to negotiate. 

Alderman Davis made a motion to adjourn, 2nd made by Alderman Tongate. Motion passed all in favor, meeting adjourned @ 7:30 p.m.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/12.11.23-MINUTES.pdf