Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met Nov. 11

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Dickey in City Hall Council Chambers.

Roll Call:

Ward #1 Susie Tongate: P Sarah Sarantakos: A

Ward #2 Randy Wyant: A Ray Hankes : P

Ward #3 Scott Davis: P Doug Parsons: A

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: P Laura Miller: P

Pledge led by Alderman Fisher.

Visitors: Chief Rosendahl, Supt. Duncan, Admin Scott Shull, Marty Nuss, Brandon Zumwalt & Stacey Hildebrandt, Terry Roesch, Rob Schmitt, Ellen Hankes, Restaurant Owners: David Rodriguez – Blue Star, Paul Patel – Dairy Queen, Blake & Maria Adams – Los Cominos, Imer & Fia Ballazhi – Country Kettle, and Julie Schraeder – Burgers & Beers; and Mindy Basi – Ford County Chronicle.

Motion to approve Minutes of October 28, 2024, made by Alderman Miller, Alderman Fisher seconded the motion, motion carried 5/0.

Visitor Comments: Brandon Zumwalt – representing Holiday Lighted Parade – asked council for street closures – Friday, November 22nd, from west side of Sangamon to alley on 8th, Saturday November 23rd, parade day, closure of 8th Street from alley to alley (at Black & Whites), and 9th Street from Sangamon to Church for food vendors. Council agreed to the requested street closures for the Holiday Parade.

Paul Patel, owner of GC Dairy Queen, addressed council for himself and on behalf of several other restaurant owners who were present, stating their concerns about the downturn in restaurant business in general, and more noticed since Alamo/Rhino Ag closed – really hurt their lunch business, and Mr. Patel voiced concern about lack of growth in Gibson City and the frequency of food truck vendors. Mr. Ballazhi – Country Kettle, stated they had raised their family here and have been in business for 30 years, but echoed the concerns mentioned by Mr. Patel. The owners of Los Caminos, Blake & Maria Adams, stated they recently renewed their lease for 5 years, but it was a difficult decision. Owners agreed that they feel the food truck vendors are not paying the same in property taxes and are taking revenues out of town. Mayor Dickey and council understood their concerns, and Mayor Dickey offered that he and Alderman Tongate will meet with all of them to further hear their concerns and determine if there is anything the city may be able to do that will help.

Committee Reports:

Alderman Fisher – reported on the Ordinance Committee meeting held Thursday, November 7th @ 5:30 p.m. where changes proposed to Chapter 25 – Nuisances were presented and reviewed, as well as review generally to the 2nd draft of code changes, and noted that Chapter 40 – Zoning will take considerably more time to work through. Alderman Fisher is hopeful to have the 2nd draft ready to return to the codification company within a few weeks.

Bills:

Motion made by Alderman Tongate to pay 1 - TIF 2 check in the amount of $3,147.50 2nd made by Alderman Hankes, motion carried 5/0.

Motion made by Alderman Tongate to pay 1 – check from Bond account in the amount of $168,525.00 for Streets & Alleys, 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 5/0.

Motion made by Alderman Miller to pay 1 - 1 – check from Bond account in the amount of $168,525.00 for Wastewater Department, 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Tongate, motion approved 5/0.

Motion made by Alderman Miller to pay 5 checks from Bond account in the amount of $196,978.49 – towards meter upgrade project 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Hankes, motion approved 5/0.

Motion made by Alderman Fisher to pay General Fund checks in the amount of $541,909.73, 2nd made by Alderman Miller, motion carried 5/0.

New Business

A. Marty Nuss from Insurance Providers Group, our city health insurance representative, informed council that the renewal is a 1.7% increase over last year. The plan has no changes from previous year.

Alderman Davis made a motion to approve the renewal of the city health insurance plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield, for a monthly premium of $21,951.83, 2nd made by Alderman Tongate, motion carried 5/0.

B. Ordinance 2024-O-14 / Bond Abatement – was explained by city attorney Marc Miller. Mr. Miller clarified this is an annual abatement of taxes levied for the year 2024 to pay debt service on General Obligation Bonds that were issued in the amount of $2,300,000.00, and abatement of $303,604.00 is appropriate. Alderman Tongate made the motion to adopt Ordinance 2024-O-14, 2nd by Alderman Fisher, motion carried 5/0.

C. MCS quote for 2 monitors to be added to council chambers for benefit of both council and visitors. Mayor Dickey had just received the updated quote late this afternoon and requested this item be tabled until a representative from MCS can attend and explain to project.

D. Clarification vote to approve Gibson City spending an amount not to exceed $5,000.00 for the matching funds merchant advertising during the holiday season with WCIA tv. Motion to approve this advertising expense, not to exceed $5,000.00, made by Alderman Tongate, 2nd by Alderman Hankes. Motion carried 5/0.

E. Supt. Duncan explained to council the benefit of entering into a cash-rent farm lease of the 15-acre property the city purchased for future use as a dry basin. Design and engineering are underway, but the project will not begin for another year or two. Duncan explained that it is better to cash-rent this property than to pay maintenance for mowing and upkeep. Alderman Fisher asked why the delay in the dry-basin project, and Mayor Dickey stated it’s a matter of having the funds. Supt. Duncan will be looking for grants to help pay for this. Fisher then asked if we had sold a couple of acres – and Mayor Dickey answered no, but it has been discussed. The agreement provides for changes by reimbursing Bunting should the city decide to sell a portion of the land. Motion to approve the cash-rent farm lease with Zach Bunting at $50 per acre, made by Alderman Miller, with 2nd by Alderman Hankes. Motion carried 5/0.

F. Supt. Duncan presented the council with bids for a “CIPP’ project – (cured in place pipe), to be done under railroads and high traffic roads where it is difficult or impossible to dig. The process is known also as ‘slip lining’ where material is injected into the 30” and 12” combined sewer pipes, and it ‘cures’ and becomes as hard as PVC. Duncan stated the areas he outlined carry a large amount of wastewater and after being viewed with a camera, it is a most necessary project. Two bids were presented and Supt. Duncan recommended approving the bid with Hoerr Construction from Goodfield, Illinois, for an amount not to exceed $230,000, to be paid from TIF 3. Alderman Hankes made a motion to approve this recommendation of not to exceed $230,000 from TIF 3 for areas in the southwest part of town identified by Supt. Duncan as needing repair. 2nd to the motion made by Alderman Tongate, motion carried with 3 in favor, and Davis and Miller abstained due to owning property in TIF 3.

G. Motion to Adjourn made by Alderman Davis, second by Alderman Miller, all in favor, meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

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