Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Feb. 26,

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 : A 

Ward #3 Scott Davis: P          Doug Parsons: P 

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: P        Laura Miller: P 

Pledge led by Alderman Parsons. 

Motion to approve Minutes of February 12, 2024 made by Alderman Sarantakos, 2nd made by Alderman Miller. Motion carried 7/0.

Visitors: Chief Rosendahl, Supts. Martin & Duncan, Asst. Supt. Nolte, resident Terry Roesch, Jeremy Janes of Copper Creek Construction and Ford County Chronicle report Mindy Basi.

Chris Thorp addressed the council on behalf of the Gibson City Lion’s Club. Last year the Lions’ planned to install a lighted flagpole at the GC soccer field and both baseball fields. Chris is asking permission to install the lighted flag poles at both McMillen Field and West Park ballfields this year. Poles will be outside the fence, centerfield, set in concrete, and they are equipped with dusk to dawn solar lights and the Lions will maintain them and change flags when needed. Council accepted the offer and thanked Chris and the Lion’s Club for their donation.

Jeremy Janes of Copper Creek Construction gave a summary of the problems we have had with the new roof his company installed over the city hall, shop, and police department last year. Mr. Janes was open with his explanation, apology, and his word that he would see that Gibson City receives a completely new roof at no cost to us. He has run into a problem between insurance companies as to whether this is a problem with the material or the way it was installed. Regardless, he stays in touch with Supt. Martin at each rain and has completely tarped our facilities hoping to prevent further leaks until the roof is replaced. Council appreciated the explanation and his honesty, and Supt. Martin will keep council informed with updates.

Treasurer/Admin Report – Treasurer Lorenzen was absent but all council received the report for January via email.

Committee Reports – Alderman Fisher reported on an Ordinance Committee meeting held last Thursday, February 22nd at 5:30 p.m. It was informational / organizational about reviewing the draft updates sent to us from Illinois Codification Services. City Clerk Jan Hall is the coordinator of the project and will be touching base with each department head and council for their input on the 1st draft. Another meeting will be called and the goal is to have revisions back to the Codifier by end of April.

Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Miller to pay 1 check from Motor Fuel Tax account in the amount of $6133.25, 2nd made by Alderman Parsons, motion approved 7/0.

Motion made by Alderman Wyant to pay 1 check from (Water) Bond account in the amount of $32,289.00, 2nd made by Alderman Tongate, motion approved 7/0.

Motion made by Alderman Sarantakos to pay General Fund checks in the amount of $162,407.89, 2nd made by Alderman Miller; motion approved 6 in favor; Alderman Wyant abstained.

New Business:

A. City Clerk Jan Hall, who also serves as Clerk for the Plan Commission reported to council the Plan Commission met at 6:00 p.m. this evening and after discussion with Jason Mackinson, voted unanimously to approve recommending his request to have the zoning of properties he owns at 625 and 629 E. 7th Street changed from Residential-1 to Business. Mayor Dickey clarified with Supt. Martin that anything in Business 1 is also allowed in Business 2, and he asked for a motion to approve the recommendation. Motion made by Alderman Sarantakos to accept the recommendation of the Plan Commission and change the zoning of 625 & 629 E. 7th from Residential to Business, 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Wyant, motion carried 7/0.

B. Supt. Duncan presented the council with an update on what has been completed in the GIS mapping of Water, Sewer, and Storm Sewer locations. The work has been completed so far by Don Craig, of Illinois Rural Water Association with Supts. Duncan and Martin. This mapping has already proven to be extremely helpful and will continue to completion and then updated regularly.

C. Discussion and Consideration of a Resolution Supporting Spending Any Approved Sales Tax Increase for the Use of The City Swimming Pool. Resolution 2024-R-1 clarifies the intention of this City Council to use the increase of sales tax (if approved) towards a new swimming pool. Alderman Fisher requested that in one paragraph, the word ‘could’ be changed to ‘shall’ as for using the funds. Motion made by Alderman Fisher to approve this Resolution in support of using the 1% increase, if approved, towards the public pool first; 2nd to his motion made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 7/0.

D. Alderman Wyant made a motion to enter into Executive Session for the limited purposes of discussing the acquisition of a specific parcel of real estate to be used for a public purpose pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5), 2nd made by Alderman Davis, vote passed 6-1, with Alderman Fisher voting no. Council then entered Executive session at 7:40 p.m.

E. Return to Open Session at 8:30 p.m.

F. Alderman Miller made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-0-1 authorizing the purchase of a 16+/- acre tract of land located outside at a cost of $9,000 / approximately $144,000 total to be used for a dry retention pond at the northeast part of town to address drainage problems, 2nd to her motion made by Alderman Davis. Aldermen Wyant & Fisher then asked to table this motion. Mayor Dickey directed the vote to be called as their was a motion and a 2nd on the floor. Motion passed 5-2, with Wyant and Fisher voting no.

Alderman Davis made a motion to adjourn with a 2nd to motion by Alderman Miller. All in favor, meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/February-26-2024-Minutes-.pdf