Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met March 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: A 

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 Fisher. 

Motion to approve Minutes of March 11, 2024 made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd made by Alderman Parsons. Motion carried 7/0. 

Visitors: Treasurer Lorenzen, Chief Rosendahl, Admin Shull, Attorney Miller, Dale & Billie Jo Denny (Harvest Fest) Jerry & Alicia Skinner (A-Renee), Farnsworth Engineers Mike Friend & Dennis  Cummins, and Chronicle Reporter Mindy Basi. 

Committee Reports – Alderman Fisher reported on an Ordinance Committee meeting held March 18th at 5:30 p.m. for the second efforts regarding revisions of the Ordinance Book. The Committee made it through the book, and Coordinator Hall will prepare a summary of the additions, corrections and/or deletions to share with Council before sending to the codifiers to incorporate all into a second draft for our review. 

Bills: 

Motion made by Alderman Davis to pay 1 check from T.I.F. 2 account in the amount of $77,750.00 to be transferred into the Downtown TIF account. 2nd made by Alderman Miller, motion approved 6 yes, Alderman Fisher abstained. 

Motion made by Alderman Miller to pay 1 check from Downtown T.I.F. account in the amount of $77,750.00, 2nd made by Alderman Parsons, motion approved 5 ayes and Aldermen Wyant & Fisher abstained due to owning property in the Downtown TIF. 

Motion made by Alderman Wyant to pay 2 checks from (Water) Bond account in the amount of  1,750.00, 2nd made by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 7/0. 

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay General Fund checks in the amount of $85,550.87, 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Parsons; motion approved 7/0.

New Business: 

A. Billie Jo Denny addressed the council with information for the Harvest Fest event this year, which will be one day only, on Saturday September 14, 2024. They are planning more events geared to older children and teens as well as the usual inflatables; they hope to have the rock climbing wall, axe throwing for older teens and adults, and an area called ‘Game On’ for gamers added to the event. This will be the 10th anniversary of Harvest Fest, and they are asking for at least the same amount donation as last year, which was $7,500.00. At this point, Alderman Parsons asked how much money the city spends on extra work for street closures, moving tables, trash pick-up, and security. Chief Rosendahl stated that he always has 2 extra officers working through the event. Dale Denny responded to Alderman Parsons stating that  the Harvest Fest volunteers set-up and take down the barricades that are dropped of at locations needed by the city crew. No further discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Davis, and seconded by Alderman Tongate, to donate $7,500.00 to the Harvest Fest 2024 event. Motion carried 7/0. 

B. Chief Rosendahl presented council with the annual dispatch agreement with Ford County and asked that the annual fee of $20,000 be approved. Motion made to approve this $20K expenditure for the dispatch agreement with Ford County was made by Alderman Miller, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 7/0. 

C. Chief Rosendahl presented council with a purchase request for new mobile-unit computers. He stated the current computers will be obsolete in the next few months, and the computers he is requesting includes training, installation, maintenance, and support, and will be a great safety update to the GCPD. The units are equipped with the ability to coordinate with Ford County and Paxton police, and at all times a squad car can be located on a map. Chief will use CoVid funds for the purchase and the city will pay an annual agreement fee. The total purchase from Computer Information Systems if $36,173.00; Alderman Hankes made the motion to approve  this purchase and 2nd to his motion was made by Alderman Wyant. Motion carried 7/0. 

D. Façade Grant for A-Renee building. Owner Jerry Skinner presented council with their plan to remove the outside stairway attached to the south side of their building located at 202 N. Sangamon, (NE corner of Sangamon and 9th). Removing the stairway leads to some masonry  repair – tuckpointing, and a new door. The total cost of the project is $8,500.00. Alderman Wyant made a motion to approve the City’s matching funds of 50%, or $4,250.00, 2nd made by Alderman Hankes. Motion carried 7/0. Mayor Dickey made it clear that the city’s funding will be available after the beginning of our new fiscal year, which starts May 1st each year. Also, façade grant money is paid after the work is complete and the paid invoices are submitted to the city hall office. 

E. F. G. At this time, Alderman Davis made a motion to continue this meeting to this Thursday, March 28, at 6:30 p.m. to cover the Executive Session portion of this Agenda, 2nd to his motion was made by Alderman Wyant, motion carried 7/0. 

Meeting will reconvene at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, March 28th

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