City of Sesser City Council met March 9.
Here are the minutes provided by the council;
The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, March 9, 2023. It was called to order by Mayor Ashmore at 6:30 PM. Prayer was led by Chris Hottensen from the First Baptist Church. The pledge of allegiance was said and the Mayor asked for Veterans to remain standing and thanked them for their service.
Clerk Stacey called the roll--Rose Bochantin--here, Dana Laur--here, Wayne Shannon--here, Travis Zettler--here, David Bates--here, Jeff Hamburger--here.
A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger to approve the minutes for the regular meeting in Februrary. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #3
Matt Tosh explained the Water System Improvements Phase 1—contract B Elevated Water Tank Painting Contractors pay estimate #6--Final. A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Wayne Shannon to approve the Water System Improvements Phase 1 Contract B Elevated Water Tank Painting contractors pay estimate #6 Final to Trikote for $34,306.29 for completed work. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #4
Matt Tosh presented information on the Water System Improvements Phase 1 Contract B Elevated Water Tank Painting–Change order #7. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the Water System Improvements Phase I Contract B Elevated Water Tank Painting Change order #7--Final that will only increase the contract time by 121 days—due to delays in fence material. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #5
Matt Tosh explained the Water System Improvements Phase 2–Contractors pay estimate Bill #6. A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Rose Bochatin to approve the Water System Improvements Phase 2– Contractors pay estimate #6 to Wiggs Excavating for the amount of $8,184.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #6
Matt Tosh explained the Water System Improvements Phase 2 Construction Engineering bill #6. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the Water System Improvements Phase 2 Construction Engineering Bill #6 to Brown and Roberts for $1,737.15. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #7
Matt Tosh explained the Sanitary Sewer Service for Rend Lake USACE Right of Way bill #3. A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Travis Zettler to approve the Sanitary Sewer Service for Rend Lake USACE Right of Way bill #3 to Brown and Roberts for $3,838.34. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #1–TIFs
Mayor Ashmore asked Clerk Stacey what bids were received. Of those listed on the agenda. Clerk Stacey informed the mayor and council that there was one bid received on each of the properties listed on the agenda.
Clerk Stacey opened the one bid on the property at 508 East Matthew Street. The bid was from Lappin Trucking for $3,910.00 to remove the dilapidated structure, remove concrete and fill and level off property.
A motion was made by Dana Laur and 2nd by Wayne Shannon to approve the low bid on the removal of the structure at 508 West Matthew at the cost of $3,910.00 from Lappin Trucking to be paid by TIF money. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Clerk Stacey then opened the bid on the property at 708 South Elm for removal of a trailer. The only bid was for $3,775.00 from Lappin Trucking
A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to approve the low bid from Lappin Trucking for $3,775.00 to demo the structure at 708 South Elm Street to be paid by TIF money. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Mayor Ashmore explained that it was time to execute payment #2 to Jolt from the TIF agreement from 2022. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the 2023 reimbursement payment of $10,000.00 to Jolt for the year of 2023 according to the TIF agreement. This is payment 2 of 5. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #2–no annexations.
Agenda #8
Discussion was had by the council and public about the age for drivers of golf carts and UTVs. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to amend the Golf Cart/UTV ordinance to the following: to drive a golf cart one must follow the Rules of the Road laws in Illinois—be 15 with a valid driver’s permit and the adult in the golf cart or be 16 and a valid drivers license, for a UTV they must be 18 years old and have a valid driver's license. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #9
Mayor Ashmore explained the Franklin County Emergency Management Annual Contribution. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the Franklin County Emergency Management Annual Contribution payment and make payment of $500.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #10
Mayor Ashmore explained he plans to attend IML Lobby day in Springfield. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and 2nd by David Bates to approve the mayor to attend IML Lobby Day in Springfield on April 19, 2023 and cover any costs that are incurred (hotel & travel). All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #11
Mayor Ashmore explained the donation to the Old King Coal Festival for a city add in the booklet. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve a donation to the Old King Coal Festival in the amount of $125.00 for the add in the booklet. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #12
Mayor Ashmore explained the amendment to the Water Supply contract with RLCD as they are looking at doing the rates for one year and not five years at this time. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve/pass the 2023 amendment to the water supply contract with the RLCD for a one year rate increase instead of setting it for 5 years. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #13
Mayor Ashmore explained that there was a movement in the legislature to change TIF rules and make it almost impossible to get TIF money approved. The Illinois Municipal League is opposed to the new legislation and is asking cities to pass the resolution in support of Tax Increment Financing. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded Travis Zettler to approve/pass Resolution #4-2023 a resolution of the City of Sesser in support of Tax Increment Financing. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #14
Mayor Ashmore explained the renewal of the membership of the US Conference of Mayors. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded Jeff Hamburger to approve the renewal of the US Conference of Mayors membership at the cost of $1,992.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Attorney Bigler—City court is up and running—would like them to keep a ledger of citations as they come in, so there is a process to keep track of them and when they are paid.
A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and 2nd by Rose Bochantin to approve the bills as presented. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and 2nd by David Bates to approve the treasurer’s report. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion Carried.
A motion was made by Travis Zettler and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger to approve the police report as presented. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Rose Bochantin and 2nd by David Bates to approve the code inspector’s report. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the Tourism Report as presented. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the Library Director’s Report. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Public comment/questions:
Ned–Could he get the cost of the new water line project/new meters, etc? How much did the city have to pay? Mayor Ashmore said the city had to pay 50% of the cost—rest was in grants.
He also asked the cost of the electricity for the new sewer plant—Mayor Ashmore said about $3,500.00 per month, but January 1st it went to about $5,000.00 with the new Ameren rates.
March 24th—Library is hosting a Trivia Night to raise money for the Library at the Gualdoni Event Center.
Mayor Ashmore signed the Girl Scout Week Proclamation—Girl Scout Week is March 12—18, 2023.
Good Friday Service will be held on April 7th at 7:00 PM at the Jesus Center.
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 PM by David Bates and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Adjourned at 7:32 PM.
https://www.sesser.org/city-council-meeting-minutes/
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