Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Sept. 23

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The 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: A

Ward #3 Scott Davis: P Doug Parsons: A

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: P Laura Miller: Р

Visitors: Supt. Martin, Officer Rosenbaum, Admin Scott Shull, GC Chamber Suzanne Wilkins, Ms. Paula Dickey, Ford County Chronicle reporter Jean Noellsch, and several residents from Hager Subdivision and several representatives from Gibson Area Hospital. 

Pledge led by Alderman Davis. 

Motion to approve Minutes of September 9, 2024, made by Alderman Miller, 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 6/0. 

Visitor Comments: 

Gibson Chamber representative Suzanne Wilkins presented plans for the annual downtown 'Fright Night' to be held October 22, or rain date of October 24, within the 2 block area between parking behind city hall extending north to the south side of 9th Street to be barricaded for safety, between 4:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Council approved the plan and Mayor Dickey asked Supt. Martin to work with the Chamber regarding placing barricades. 

Committee Reports: 

Alderman Sarantakos gave an updated summary of New Pool progress. Engineer Johnson provided her with 10-20% progress on the various stages and expects to hear from the IDPH (IL Dept of Health) regarding the permit sometime in October. Once the approved permit is in hand we can proceed to put the job out for bids. 

Bills: 

Motion made by Alderman Miller to pay TIF 2 checks in the amount of $760.00, 2nd made by Alderman Fisher, motion carried 5/0. 

Motion made by Alderman Sarantakos to pay TIF 3 checks in the amount of $ 9,383.71 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Wyant, motion approved 5/0. 

Motion made by Alderman Wyant to pay Bond Fund checks in the amount of $2,562.00, 2nd made by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 6/0. 

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay General Fund checks in the amount of $320,381.40, 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 6-0. 

New Business: 

A. Moved to end of meeting per Mayor Dickey. 

B. Ordinance 2024-0-14 is the last piece of paperwork needed by the Illinois Dept. of Revenue to establish the 1% increase in GC sales tax. Tax will become effective January 1, 2025. Motion to approve this Ordinance 24-0-14 made by Alderman Davis, 2nd made by Alderman Miller. Motion carried 6/0. 

C. Final IDOT Pay request in the amount of 9,945.36 was presented by Engineer Dennis Cummins. Cummins noted this is the final payment for the street work this year, and that the total project came in 8% under original bid amount. Motion to approve final pay request made by Alderman Miller, 2nd made by Alderman Fisher, motion carried 6/0. 

D. Farnsworth Task Order 2024-6 presented, outlines services for a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment 

to be performed at 850 W. 8th Street, Gibson City, as part of the real estate sales contract for city to purchase same. Motion made by Alderman Davis to approve this task order in the amount of $3,500.00, 2nd made by Alderman Sarantakos. Motion passed 6/0. Engineer Cummins indicated it could take up to 4 weeks to receive complete assessment. 

A. Mayor Dickey announced that the city council is now entering into a Public Hearing to receive the 

recommendation from the Plan Commission regarding Gibson Area Hospital's request for Special Use of a loading document at 430 Hager Drive, and 'green space' at 438 Hager Drive. Mayor Dickey asked CEO Rob Schmitt to present their plans. 

Schmitt informed council GAHS purchased 430 & 438 Hager Drive and presented the new plan for a loading dock only at 430 Hager Drive, with 'green space' to be left at 438 Hager Drive. Schmitt explained the truck route for deliveries is to enter Melvin Street at 19th Street, proceed south to Hager Drive, turn onto Hager Drive, make the delivery, then U-turn back the same route. Plan Commission, after 2 nights of meetings, approved recommendation to council with specific conditions. 

Schmitt reported 2-3 deliveries per day, Monday through Friday during daytime. Some are semi-trucks, some are box trucks, making FedEx and UPS deliveries. 

Residents of Hager Drive voiced concerns about drainage problems since the new medical building / parking lot is in place, lighting issues from 30' light poles on parking lots, trash blowing from parking lots, fences blocking views, and increased truck traffic on Hager Drive as a safety concern. 

7:55 p.m. -- Plan Commissioner Chase McCall addressed the council and presented the unanimously passed recommendation from the Plan Commission, listing every condition specifically. Attorney Miller came with an Ordinance (2024-0-15) (see attached) in hand and made additions/corrections to the Ordinance and will incorporate all. 

City Clerk Jan Hall read a Letter of Protest that was submitted to her from resident Hal Graff, 444 Hager Drive, at the 2nd Plan Commission meeting. Attorney Miller explained that by receiving this letter of protest (regarding changes abutting 444 Hager Drive) this puts into play a need for a 3% vote of the city council to approve the recommendation from the Plan Commission. 

Rob Schmitt responded to complaints and assured residents the hospital will be in touch to do their best to remedy problems resulting from any hospital property. 

Mayor Dickey clarified that what we are facing now is the GAHS amended permit, indicating they have deleted the maintenance shed plan, and are asking for loading dock at 430 Hager Drive and use of Hager Drive from Melvin Street to the east edge of 438 Hager Drive for their truck route, with all specified conditions met. Mr. Graff withdrew his letter of protest, which makes now a simple majority vote to approve recommendation from Plan Commission. 

Alderman Wyant made a motion, 2ND made by Alderman Sarantakos to approve Ordinance 204-0-15 with all conditions incorporated and granting the Special Use request to 430 & 438 Hager Drive. Motion to pass 2024-0-15 passed 6/0. 

Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Davis, 2nd by Alderman Miller, meeting adjourned 8:55 p.m.

https://gibsoncityillinois.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/September-23-2024-Minutes-Attachments.pdf