Chambana Sun

City of Gibson City Council met April 28

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: P

Ward #2 Randy Wyant: A Ray Hankes : P

Ward #3 Scott Davis: P Terry Roesch: P

Ward #4 Denis Fisher: A Laura Miller: P

Pledge led by Alderman Susie Tongate.

Visitors: Treasurer Vickie Lorenzen, Admin. Scott Shull, Supt. John Bobera, Joe Higgins & Matt Ertel for GAHS, Karen Kummerow & Gary Lutterbie for Recycling and donations, Billie Jo Denny for Harvest Fest, Steve Anderson for American Legion and residents Ellen Hankes, David Walton and Alan Anderson.

Steve Anderson / Commander at the American Legion, announced 2 dates for outdoor bands – June 12th @ 5:00 p.m. to block 9th from west side of Sangamon to alley, and July 18th to set up for Legion Riders event that weekend – all will be cleaned up and removed by noon on Sunday. Council approved.

Motion to approve Minutes of April 14, 2025, made by Alderman Hankes, Alderman Roesch seconded the motion, motion carried 6/0.

Treasurer’s Report : Treasurer Lorenzen read the March 2025 report – accepted without comment.

Committee Reports:

Alderman Sarantakos reported on the Parks, Buildings, Grounds & Technology Committee meeting held Monday April 21, 2025 @ 5:30 p.m. (full report attached with minutes) In summary, Alderman Sarantakos reported that the committee met with Pete Hornstein who represents Little League. League uses West Park and MacMillian Field for their practices and games. The biggest issue is having the concession stands and restrooms clean and open for practices and games. Due to heavy vandalism in the past years, drinking fountain vandalized to the point of taking it down. Main issue is cleaning of parks restrooms. City does not have hired cleaning staff and asked if the Little League Board members will volunteer to help since they are primary users. Mr. Hornstein stated they will help keep trash picked up but cannot take responsibility of cleaning restrooms. Hornstein also asked that the city replace fences around 3 ball diamonds, at a cost of approximately $50K per field. League has donations from Solar Farm, Presbyterian Church and Gibson Area Hospital, but still needs an additional $20K to complete just one field. Supt. Martin will look further into cleaning costs and concession roof repair, as well as fencing costs. The other main issue discussed was problems with South Park Campers – city is not receiving the required $10 per night donation most of the time. Suggestions are to lock the water and power until campers have registered and paid, and to increase fees from $10 per night to $20 per night. Mayor Dickey informed council this will require an amendment to the Ordinance, and when Atty. Miller has an amendment prepared, it will be on the Agenda for a vote.

Alderman Tongate called an Economic Development Committee meeting to be held next Monday May 5, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. for the purpose of discussing recommendations to the 2025 Downtown TIF Façade Grant Program and 2025 New Home Builder Incentive Program.

Wastewater Superintendent Bobera – announced he is purchasing new safety lights for trucks at the cost of approximately $4,000, which he does have in his budget.

Approval of Bills:

Alderman Davis made a motion to approve 2 TIF-2 checks in the amount of $5,007.25, second to this motion made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 6/0.

Alderman Miller made a motion to approve 2 TIF-4 checks in the amount of $1,443.25, second to this motion made by Alderman Hankes, motion carried 6/0.

Alderman Tongate made a motion to approve 2 Downtown TIF checks in the amount of $1.336.25, second to this motion made by Alderman Miller, motion carried 6/0.

Alderman Hankes made a motion to approve one general fund checks in the amount of $99,723.52, second to this motion made by Alderman Sarantakos, motion carried 6/0.

New Business:

A. Discussion & Consideration of Resolution 2025-R-02 / New fiscal year meeting dates. Alderman Hankes made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-R-02, second made by Alderman Roesch, motion carried 6/0.

B. Discussion and Consideration of purchases using remaining Recycling Funds / Karen Kummerow. Ms. Kummerow recommends using the remaining balance in the Recycling fund to purchase 2 – 6’ benches to be used at the Dog Park and Jordan Fishing Pond, and be dedicated to former recycler, Andy Tull.

Total cost is $1,290 plus a 3% charge paying by credit card. Alderman Tongate suggested we pay with city check to avoid the processing fee. Alderman Tongate made a motion to purchase the 2 benches as described, at a cost not to exceed $1,329.00 from remaining recycling funds, 2nd made ay Alderman Miller, motion carried 6/0. Ms. Kummerow also informed council someone has expressed interest in collecting aluminum and tin cans, with no cost to the city. Alderman Roesch asked how it would be monitored, Ms. Kummerow will gather more details from the interested party.

C. Discussion and Consideration of selling 2 acres of ground at N. Lawrence and 19th Avenue. Mayor Dickey reminded council this is the property recently recommended by Plan Commission to approve Special Use in AG zoning, for purpose of a machine shed and helicopter pad. Hospital is paying the City $20K for these 2 acres. Alderman Hankes made a motion to approve Ordinance #2025-O-07, selling 2 acres of ground to Gibson Area Hospital at an agreed upon price of $20,000. 2nd to this motion made by Alderman Tongate. Motion carried 6/0.

D. Discussion and Consideration of Harvest Fest Requests / Billie Jo Denney. Ms. Denney thanked council for always being a sponsor of Harvest Fest, and she explained they try to make sure everything in the “Kids Zone” is free; basically, the committee only charges for the band / alcohol. Date is September 13; and Alderman Roesch reminded all that is the date for Homecoming as well. Detailed plans for use of Sangamon between 7th and 9th will be worked out with Supt. Martin. Last year donation was $7,500.00 and asking this year for $10,000.00 Alderman Tongate made a motion to approve city donation of $10,000.00, second by Alderman Roesch, motion carried 6/0.

E. Discussion and Consideration of transferring $100K from TIF-2 into DWNTN TIF. Details of the use of these funds will be discussed at the Economic Development Meeting next Monday, May 5th at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Dickey stated the primary uses will be Downtown TIF Facade Grant Program and a new Home Builder Buyer incentive. Motion to approve the transfer of $100,000 from TIF-2 to Downtown TIF made by Alderman Roesch, 2nd by Alderman Davis. Motion carried 6/0.

F. Discussion and Consideration of approving the annual cost of living wage increase beginning May 1, 2025. Some discussion about the percentage, and it was clarified that the percentage has always been kept in line with the police department schedule through Fraternal Order of Police. Currently this means a 4% cost of living increase. Alderman Sarantakos stated she felt this is very generous, Mayor agreed. Mayor further stated increases will only be considered annually, not throughout the year. Alderman Davis made a motion to approve an annual cost of living wage increase in the amount of 4%, except to employees who have been with us less than one year, Alderman Hankes made the 2nd to this motion, motion carried 6/0.

Motion to adjourn made by Alderman Sarantakos, 2nd by Alderman Roesch, all in favor, meeting adjourned.

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