Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Aug. 26

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

Visitors: Treasurer Vickie Lorenzen, Capt. Roy Acree, Supts. Martin & Duncan, Attorney Marc Miller, Amy Doman/After-Prom Committee; Patrick Hoban/Enterprise Zone; Doug & Sheila Bennett; Casey Conrad, Ava, Avery, and Alia Bennett; Casey McCullough, Rhonda Hornstein, Alex Bennett & Peyton Leusse, Paula Dickey, Deb Davis, Terry Roesch, Chandler Gregerson, Nick Retherford, Marsha & Max Moody, Christy & Andy Little.

Pledge led by Alderman Tongate.

Motion to approve Minutes of July 22, 2024, made by Alderman Miller, 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 8/0.

Visitor Comments:

Amy Doman – representing the After Prom Committee requested city support for a 5-K run on October 26th, and Mayor Dickey and council approved, and she will work with Alderman Davis on the route and Supt. Martin for barricades.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Vickie Lorenzen – read the July 2024 treasurer’s report – with no comment or question from council.

City Clerk Jan Hall: Reported that she was requested to obtain signatures to disclose conflicts of interest from Aldermen Fisher & Wyant in the Downtown TIF because they own property in that TIF, and from Alderman Miller, for property she owns in TIF 3. The signatures acknowledge the properties and that these aldermen will abstain from discussion and votes in the respective TIF Districts.

Committee Reports:

Alderman Sarantakos reported that she chaired a committee meeting of Buildings & Grounds on July 29th and with visitors there were about 25 people in attendance. Main topic was the current pool and discussion about how much to spend in repairs if a new pool is being built. Concern about loose ladders, bottom of the pool dark, and Engineer Matt Johnson introduced himself as the new project manager. Engineer Johnson presented a tentative timeline – Finished permit process and submitted with fee to IDPH (Il Dept Public Health).

Advertise for Bids in November, Pre-Bid Meeting in December, Bid Opening in January 2025, Project Award February, Construction Spring 2025 – end late fall 2025, new pool to open Memorial Day 2026. Depends on pool bids and prices. Also attended a pool board meeting last Tuesday. Manager Ferguson discussed significant costs could be between $100-$200K to open the current pool again. Alderman Sarantakos finished by saying ‘The pool will be built.’ City Clerk Jan Hall asked to speak to that comment since she was on the original ‘new pool committee.’ Her comment was it is her understanding that everything depends on bids and whether or not the city can afford to finance the project, so it is not an ‘absolute’ yet.

Mayor Dickey had authorized the engineer to proceed with bidding and asked for 2 bids – with pool open and with pool closed. Could be considerable savings if the pool were closed during construction.

Alderman Tongate – stated that regarding the news of Rhino Ag’s announcement to close, she and Mayor Dickey have been working together to hold a job fair hopefully in September 24 or 26th at Gibson City Fire Department building – open house/job fair/ link businesses looking for new hires.

Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Hankes to pay 3 TIF 2 checks in the amount of $7,460.00, 2nd made by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 8/0.

Motion made by Alderman Wyant to pay Bond/Water checks in the amount of $ 49,304.82, 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 8/0.

Motion made by Alderman Miller to pay General Fund checks in the amount of $555,416.53, 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 7/0.

New Business:

A. Discussion and Consideration of Ordinance 2024-O-10 Amending the McLean County Enterprise Zone to include 3 parcels totaling 323 acres – west of Rivian Motorway. Patrick Hoban represented the Enterprise Zone and explained to the council that they are trying to entice Rivian to build their supplier park in Normal, Illinois. Would add 600-700 more jobs. The enticement is a great savings on sales on building materials.

Alderman Sarantakos asked if the building was to be in Ford County. Hoban clarified the shape and location of the enterprise zone, and that it requires all parties to agree jointly. Motion to approve 2024-O-10 made by Alderman Hankes, 2nd by Alderman Davis, motion carried 8/0.

B. Captain Acree explained all police departments as of January 2025 all police departments are required to show they are trying to obtain body cameras, and the bid for GCPD to approve purchase of 7 body cameras comes from CDS at a cost of $28,257.00, and along with that is a need to upgrade computer servers to handle the extra data. The purchase server upgrades from MCS is $21,992.00. Total package is $50,249.00 and will be paid with remaining CoVid funds in the GCPD budget. Question posed by Aldermen Tongate & Parsons – is this one bid for each part? Answer is yes, not two bids for each part. Miller asked if this is a yearly cost – ‘no, we will own it.’ Motion to approve both in total of $50,249.00 made by Alderman Parsons, 2nd by Alderman Fisher – motion carried 8/0.

C. Motion to Enter Executive Session according to ILCS 5 120/2 to consider the appointment, employment, or compensation, of one or more specific person made by Alderman Davis at 7:25 p.m., 2nd by Alderman Miller, motion carried 8/0. Room cleared.

D. Council returned to open session at 7:30 p.m.

E. Action from Executive Session, Alderman Davis made a motion to hire Alex Bennett as a patrol officer at the rate of $27.55 per hour, one week vacation after 6 months, and 2 personal days, and 10 holidays, 2nd made by Alderman Wyant, motion carried 8/0. City Clerk Hall then administered the Oath of Office to Alex Bennett. Bennett will begin Police Training Institute on September 3rd.

F. Alderman Miller made a motion to approve Engineer’s Pay Estimate 1 to pay McLean County Asphalt a partial payment of $188,961.00 (a savings of $17,029.39 on overall contract) for the Gibson City 2024 Chip Seal Streets Project, 2nd by Alderman Parsons. Supt. Martin explained the project is 90% complete – one more time to return to sweep streets. In a few areas the chips didn’t bond with oil, and they are not noticeable until after the sweeping. These will be taken care of next year at no additional cost rather than having all the equipment back in for a few small spots. Motion carried 8/0.

G. Supt. Martin explained the need for a Water Main Replacement on 13th Street, from State to Sangamon. That section has had multiple repairs. Bids received by G.A. Rich and Opperman. Supt. Martin recommends going with the low bid from Opperman at $114,050.00. Received a $100K grant to use towards this project and funds planned that are in the budget. Martin added that we should add in for additional valves if necessary. Motion made by Alderman Wyant to hire Opperman at a cost not to exceed $125K, 2nd by Alderman Tongate. Motion passed 8/0.

H. Discussion and Consideration of Concrete Curb and Gutter Replacement on Sangamon & 11th Street. East side of Sangamon in front of businesses north of 10th Street, and east on the south side of 11th to Church Street. This will keep from further erosion and improve drainage and improve sidewalk on south side of 11th that is currently old brick mixed with spots of concrete according to Supt. Martin. Chandler Concrete is the lower bid, they did the concrete on north side of 8th east of Sangamon. Alderman Davis asked where funding comes from – Supt. Martin stated part from the $100K grant and part is in the budget. Motion made by Alderman Parsons to approve bid from Chandler Concrete not to exceed $134K, 2nd by Alderman Wyant, motion approved 8/0.

I. Supt. Martin explained the Grounding Proposal Field Study. Water Plant was hit by lightning and inoperable for about 14 hours while parts were obtained from out of state. It is up and going, former Water Supt. planned for a grounding study in 2017, so Martin spoke with him and moved forward contacting Britton Electronics who the City has hired in past for parts at studies at the Water Plant. CoVid relief funds will pay for this study and any equipment. Mayor Dickey – doesn’t CoVid funds have an end date? Martin – not specifically but we need to use it rather than risk losing it. Motion made by Alderman Miller to use Britton for the study at a cost not to exceed $12,900, 2nd by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 8/0.

J. Supt. Martin explained to council that the remaining initial ‘new roof’ is leaking over the police department, garage and shop. He recommends we move quickly to avoid the same depth of problems we’re dealing with from the leaking roof over city hall. Mayor Dickey stated that with 2/3 vote, council may accept one bid – and Martin recommends we complete this roof repair with Bash Pepper, who promised to act quickly before we get into fall and winter weather. Funds will be transferred from TIF 2 to Downtown TIF to complete this project, and Alderman Davis, Chairman of Finance commented that we have no other choice but to use this funding. Motion made by Alderman Tongate to accept Bash Pepper quote of $319,760.00 to complete the entire roof repairs, 2nd by Alderman Davis, motion approved 8/0. Supt. Martin – final test of air quality last week, waiting for a written report but have been told we are clear in good shape. Next phase is to begin interior repairs to council room, ceiling, flooring, etc. Mayor Dickey had Farnsworth Engineers inspect and prepare a plan to complete repairs and bid the job. MCS are also preparing a quote for overhead monitors to install for viewing plans during meetings. Clerk Hall has quotes from Fashion Shop for flooring replacement, approximately $10K and is receiving a bid from First Call Painting to do the minor repairs to the paint job they did just a couple of years ago. Mayor commented that we are working ahead and hope to move quickly to complete repairs and move back to full use of city hall.

K. Ordinance 2024-O-11 imposing the approved 1% Sales Tax to begin January 1, 2025, the referendum passed March 2024. Alderman Parsons asked why we haven’t already started the 1% sales tax increase. Mayor Dickey replied because we aren’t building this year, and we don’t want to begin the tax before necessary. Clerk stated that in order to have the tax begin January 1, 2025, she has paperwork required by the IL Dept. of Revenue that must be approved by them prior to October 1st. Motion to approve Ordinance 2024-O-11 made by Alderman Hankes, 2nd by Alderman Davis, motion carried 8/0.

L. Supt. Martin and Atty Miller explained that Ordinance 2024-O-12 involves purchase of 850 W. 8th Gibson City, the Strebeck Salvage yard, $70K. Mayor points out that the City does have an ‘out’ depending on the outcome of environmental conditions. Atty Miller again reminded council if inspections come in causing city to change their minds, we can. Supt. Martin added the Veterinary Clinic has the driveway that everyone uses to access the businesses (Redi-Mix and Strobeck’s). Atty Miller stated you can’t sell landlocked property, so it’s good to know that we also need to verify the easement before purchase. Atty. Miller again stated that the city has the right to back out of the contract if inspections and easement information become problems. Motion made by Alderman Davis to approve Ord. 2024-O-12 to purchase 850 W. 8th at a cost of $70K, 2nd by Alderman Sarantakos. Motion carried 8/0. Sarantakos asked why we don’t purchase the easement – Mayor stated there are two parties using it, too soon to plan.

Motion to Adjourn made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Tongate, meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

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