North Egypt News

City of Sesser City Council met June 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, June 8, 2023. It was called to order by Mayor Ashmore at 6:32 PM. Prayer was led by Nathan Dilliner from the Ewing 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 Travis Zettler and 2nd by Rose Bochantin to approve the minutes for the regular May meeting. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #1

Mayor Ashmore explained the resolution/agreement for the TIF agreement with TJ Parris doing business as Rimaxmo, LLC.  This is the agreement that was approved last month, but we now have the resolution in hand.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the TIF agreement and pass Resolution #9-2023 with TJ Parrish doing business as Rimaxmo, LLC as approved last month for up to $5,000.00 for the property at 712 East Franklin Street for renovations to the home. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

In the TIF agreement with TJ Parrish, the demolition of the building on the back of the property.  Clerk Stacey acknowledged that there was only one bid received even though several companies were asked to submit bids on the project.  Clerk Stacey opened the one bid:  It was from Lappin Trucking  for the amount of $9,350.00 to remove the building on the back of the property and dispose of it.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve and accept the low bid from Lappin Trucking of $9,350.00 to demo the building at 712 E. Franklin Street.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Load Em Up Laundromat and Chase Ragland, partner with Brandon Stubblefield.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve/ pass resolution #10-2023 with Load Em Up Laundromat/Chase Ragland, partner for a total of $40,000.00 for renovations to the building and for $20,000.00 to be paid upon completion and the other $20,000.00 to be paid by March 2024.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #2—No Annexations .

Agenda Item #3

Mayor Ashmore explained the Annual Appropriations Ordinance.  A motion was mad by Travis Zettler and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve/pass the Annual Appropriation Ordinance #4-2023.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #4

Mayor Ashmore discussed the engineering bill for city hall renovations and for the Opera House renovations.  A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Dana Laur to approve payment of approximately 50% until we see more progress on both buildings—2 bill for city hall renovations, pay $9,000.00 and the 2 bills for the Opera House, pay $5,000.00 to Hurst-Roesch.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #5

Mayor Ashmore presented the information on the CASA Golf Scramble fundraiser.  A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to approve a donation to the CASA Golf Scramble fundraiser in the amount of $500.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion except Wayne Shannon as he voted present. Motion carried. 

Agenda #6

Mayor Ashmore explained that Deb Hutson, tourism director, had asked for the city to purchase a CANVA account for the city to use to make flyers and images to post on social media.  Travis Zettler says he uses it and it is an easy and professional-looking program.  The city would get up to five users on the account.  A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by David Bates to approve the purchase of a CANVA account at the cost of $149.90 per year.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #7

Mayor Ashmore explained that we now have the hard copy of the ordinance for the new water rates so we need to approve and pass this ordinance—even though we approve the new rates last month.  A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve/pass ordinance #3-2023 amending Ch. 38 of the revised code of ordinance and establishing new water/sewer rates.   All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #8

Mayor Ashmore explained the 2023 MFT program monies.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve/pass Resolution #11-2023 the 2023 MFT program in the amount of $120,352.99.   All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #9

Mayor Ashmore explained by hiring Zach Bryant as the full time water/sewer employee, all his previous time as a part time employee would count toward him attaining his water certification.  A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the hiring of Zach Bryant as the full-time water/sewer employee at $17.50 per hour starting with the beginning of the next pay period.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained that Bryce McGuire had expressed interest in the police department, but there are currently no positions in academy, but he would also be interested in working in our temporary position for now.  He has just currently finished his duty in the armed services.  A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by David Bates to approve the hiring of Bryce McGuire as part-time employee at $14.00 per hour starting on Monday of next week.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #10

Mayor Ashmore explained that he would like to attend the NLC city summit.  A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the Mayor to attend the NLC City Summit in Atlanta with an estimated cost of $3,000.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #11

Mayor Ashmore explained Coffee Chat—Economic Recovery Plan meeting to be held at Brewed on Broadway.  He would like for the city to provide payment for beverages (non-alcholoic) for the meeting.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the purchase of non-alcoholic beverages for the “Coffee Chat—Economic Recovery Plan” meeting on June 13th at 9 AM to be held at Brewed on Broadway.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion except Travis Zettler who voted present.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger to approve the bills as presented. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Dana Laur 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 David Bates and 2nd by Travis Zettler to approve the police report as presented. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and 2nd by Dana Laur to approve the code inspector’s report. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Jeff Hambuger and 2nd by Dana Laur to approve the tourism report.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

No Library Report.

Public comment/questions:

Attorney Bigler—not in attendance.

Jim Malkovich presented a petition to the mayor and council with 35 signatures of area neighbors of the property at 400 South Broadway.  There are dogs on the property that are barking and being a nuisance.  He read the city ordinance referring to the public nuisance of dogs barking.  Discussion was had by the council and Mr. Malkovich.  The owner of the property was in attendance and presented what he would be doing—he installed a device to curb the dogs barking.  He will eventually be moving the dogs to the property where he is currently living.  But for the time being, he is trying to curb the dogs barking. 

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:57 PM by Dana Laur and 2nd by Rose Bochantin. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 7:57 PM.

https://www.sesser.org/city-council-meeting-minutes/