Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met April 22

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Dickey at the Moyer Library.

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: P

Pledge led by Alderman Tongate.

Motion to approve Minutes of 8th and Special Meeting on April 17th, 2024 made by Alderman Hankes, 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 8/0.

Visitors: Officer Rosenbaum, Admin Shull, Treasurer Lorenzen, Supts. Duncan & Martin, Attorney Miller, Farnsworth Engineers Mike Friend and Dennis Cummins, Kelli Bell (American Legion), GCMS High school students Getty Greer & Ryan Carley, Chronicle reporter Mindi Basi, One Earth Energy representatives Steve Kelly, Mark Ditsworth, Eric West, Pat Quinlin, Derrick Bruhn; Zoning Board Chairman Marty Nuss, and residents – Dean Summers, Tim & Julie Brown, Terry Roesch, Jay Kristensen, and Rob Schmitt.

Treasurer Lorenzen read the March monthly report – with no comments or questions from council or visitors.

Terry Roesch – on behalf of Lions Club member Jim Peters, requested permission to sell candy in the intersections of 8th & Sangamon and west near Bradbury Auto sales on May 10th & 11th. Council approved.

Kelli Bell (American Legion) requested closure of 9th Street from the west side of Sangamon to the alley on April 27, May 18 for Auxiliary Poppy Sales, and July 13th for a Legion Riders Hometown Heroes. Council approved, Supt. Martin requested that all street closures and requests for help with moving picnic tables or setting barricades be requested in writing at city hall well in advance in order for him to accommodate requests.

Jay Kristensen requested 9th from Sangamon to alley on June 22nd for a Freedom Riders poker run, and council approved that as well as parking on 9th east of Sangamon to the alley.

Rob Schmitt, Gibson Area Hospital CEO then offered use of the hospital owned parking lot north of Scott’s Pharmacy as well in the event of overflow parking needs.

Resident Dean Summers asked the Mayor who on the Drainage Task Force Committee was representing the area of town between 8th & 10th from the railroad to Rt. 47 and how volunteers were made aware of the opportunity to serve. Mayor Dickey responded that he had placed many phone calls asking for volunteers and appointed a committee of 10. He also stated that all meetings are open to the public and anyone is welcome to attend and make their concerns known to the committee.

GCMS Students Getty Greer & Ryan Carley announced a plant sale, May 11th at the newly built greenhouse on Sangamon & 16th. Requested closure of 16th from Sangamon to Church Street that day for safety. Council approved.

At this time, Steve Kelly, One Earth Energy, introduced his colleagues and presented a power point presentation of the Dispersion Model in case of a line break for the proposed CO2 Sequestration Project. Mark Ditsworth led the presentation, provided maps, explained safety shut-offs, and stated that through the automated system a complete shut-down will happen in less than 16 seconds and all representatives fielded questions from council and visitors.

OLD Business:

A. Discussion and Consideration to Sell the Downtown Flowerpots. Mayor Dickey asked council if any of them have further thoughts about selling the donated terra cotta flowerpots that have been used for many years in the downtown area. Alderman Sarantakos stated that she is against selling the pots; suggests using them on side streets of 8th & 9th off Sangamon, as well as at parks and other city places. Mayor Dickey asked if she is offering to take care of the plantings, and Sarantakos stated she will personally and ask for volunteers in tending the flowerpots. She will also canvass the businesses on 8th and 9th and let Supt. Martin know where to place the flowerpots. At this time, Alderman Sarantakos made a motion to keep the terra cotta flowerpots, 2nd to her motion made by Alderman Wyant, motion passed 7 yes, Alderman Hankes abstained from voting.

Committee: Alderman Wyant reported that Assistant Superintendent Nolte informed him that residents are not complying with keeping grass clippings out of the streets/storm sewers, and the crew did blow some grass that had been blown into the streets back onto lawns. Supt. Duncan stated that this is important in keeping the drainage flow clear, and the city will be notifying people to not blow grass clippings into the street. Tickets may be issued if it continues.

Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Sarantakos to pay 1 check from T.I.F. 2 account in the amount of $860.00 to Fehr Graham Engineering, 2nd made by Alderman Fisher: motion approved 8/0.

Motion made by Alderman Miller to pay General Fund checks in the amount of $ 99,924.53, 2 nd to this motion made by Alderman Parsons, motion approved 8/0.

New Business:

A. Consideration to approve the recommendation from the Zoning Board from their meeting held Monday April, 8th. Chairman of the Zoning Board, Marty Nuss, reported to council that the Zoning Board heard the request of Tim and Julie Brown of 223 S. Guthrie, for a 2nd accessory building, a new 24 x 24 garage. After questions were answered, Zoning Board recommends approving this variance at 223 S. Guthrie. Alderman Sarantakos asked questions about square footage of coverage, hard surface for rain run-off, and how neighbors feel. Ms. Brown handed a list of neighbors and stated none voiced objections. Motion made to accept the recommendation of the Zoning Board made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Wyant, motion carried 5 in favor, Alderman Fisher & Sarantakos voted no, and Alderman Hankes abstained from voting.

B. 2024 Chip & Seal Project. Presented by: Engineer Dennis Cummins / Supt. Tyler Martin. One bid was received by McLean County Asphalt for a total of $215,927.60. Alderman Hankes made a motion to accept this bid and ward McLean County Asphalt the Chip & Seal Project for this year. 2nd made by Wyant; motion carried 8/0. Funds for the project will come from general fund, not Motor Fuel Tax.

C. Discussion and Consideration to have the Industrial Park Appraised and Surveyed. Mayor Dickey asked council to consider the Letter of Intent from Gibson City Energy, offering to purchase about 10 acres of land @ $20,000 per acre in Jordan Industrial Park to build a substation. The area will come from the remaining 17.5 acres that is currently in a farm lease. Mayor Dickey pointed to the layout provided and suggested council consider supporting him in asking the layout of the 10 acres be changed so it doesn’t leave the city with an odd-shaped strip of 7.5 acres remaining.

Alderman Parsons made a motion to approve the survey and appraisal of the remaining acreage at the Industrial Park, 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion approved 8/0.

D. Discussion and Consideration of Annual Cost of Living increases in the amount of 4% for city employees. Mayor Dickey clarified that it has been history to give cost of living raises at the beginning of the new fiscal year to all employees who are non-union and have made it past their 12-month probation period. Alderman Parsons asked if the city is using the merit system for pay raises, and if personnel evaluations were being done as discussed last year. Mayor Dickey stated that evaluations are being done, but merit raises have not been done. Attorney Miller stated that if the city chooses to use evaluations and merit raise system, which is their right but it is necessary to be consistent. Alderman Wyant made the motion to approve the 4% COLA as presented, 2nd made by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 8/0.

Final comments - from Alderman Sarantakos – (1) when are we closing on the 15 acres triangle NE of town? Answer, May 1st. (2) Alderman Sarantakos then commented that the business of Hull Family Tire at the Industrial Park has unsightly piles of tires and tree stumps. Supt. Martin stated that it was his understanding the Hulls are accepting the tree cuttings from Glad’s Tree Service with the intention of splitting it and selling the wood in the future. Mayor Dickey suggested that Chief Rosendahl should inquire and report back to council on the intentions of cleaning up the piles.

Alderman Hankes made a motion to adjourn, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/April-22-2024-Minutes.pdf