North Egypt News

City of Sesser City Council met July 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, July 13, 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--absent, David Bates--here, Jeff Hamburger--here.

A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Dana Laur to keep executive session minutes confidential at this time. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and 2nd by Rose Bochantin to approve the minutes for the regular June meeting. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #3

Matt Tosh explained the Sanitary Sewer Service for Rend Lake Design Engineering Bill #4. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and 2nd by David Bates to approve the Sanitary Sewer Service for Rend Lake/USACE Design Engineering Bill #4 to Brown and Roberts for $35,111.20. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #4

Matt Tosh explained the Sanitary Sewer System for Rend Lake Right of Way bill #5. A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Wayne Shannon to approve the Sanitary Sewer Systems for Rend Lake/ USACE Right of Way bill #5 to Brown and Roberts for $1,463.74. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #5

Matt Tosh explained the Water System Improvements Phase 2022—DRA Grant Contractor’s Pay Estimate #1. A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger to approve the Water System Improvements Phase 2022 DRA Grant Contractors Pay Estimate #1 to Wiggs Excavating for $126,002.19. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #6

Matt Tosh explained the Water Systems Improvements Phase 2022 DRA Grant Construction Engineering Bill #1. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger to approve the Water Systems Improvements Phase 2022 DRA Grant Construction Engineering Bill #1 to Brown and Roberts for $11,663.55. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #1

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Todd Brewer for the mobile home at 608 N. Walnut Street. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and 2nd by David Bates to approve the TIF agreement with Todd Brewer to demolition the mobile home at 608 N. Walnut and to accept the only bid received from Lappin Trucking for $3,890.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Sesser Petro to replace the gas tanks on the property. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and 2nd by David Bates to approve the TIF agreement and pass Resolution #12-2023 A TIF agreement with Sesser Petro for a one-time grant of $30,000.00 to replace the gas tanks on property. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Vinrod Patel (Yogesh Patel) for excavation of the property behind Sesser Petro in preparation of a home project. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and 2nd by David Bates to approve a TIF agreement with Vinod Patel to pay 50% of the excavation of the property behind Sesser Petro for a home at the total cost of $2,035.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the project for the Masonic Lodge expansion. A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger to approve the TIF agreement with eh Masonic Lodge in the amount of $6,800.00 for building expansion. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #2

No annexations.

Agenda Item #7

Mayor Ashmore explained the Project Labor Agreement with the Egyptian Building Construction Trade Council. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and 2nd by David Bates to approve and pass Ordinance #5-2023 the Project Labor Agreement which includes an agreement with the Egyptian Building Construction Trades Council. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #8

Mayor Ashmore explained that he and Attorney Bigler would like to attend the IML Conference in September. A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Dana Laur to approve Mayor Ashmore and Attorney Bigler to attend the IML Conference in September 2023 for approximate cost of $2500.00 plus travel expenses. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #9

Mayor Ashmore explained the Resolution to close Routes 148 and 154 for the car show on August 12, 2023. A motion was made to approve and pass Resolution #12-2023 to close Rt. 148 and Rt. 154 (the 4 way stop and the block preceding it) on August 12, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM.

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

Agenda Item #10

Mayor Ashmore explained the disassembling of the projector at the Opera House and reassembling in the windows for presentation as a step in the renovation and update process. A motion was made by Rose Bochantin and 2nd by Dana Laur to approve Kentec AV to disassemble and reassemble the projector at the Opera House in the amount of $3,476.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the estimate for the new projection system for the Opera House. A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded David Bates to approve the estimate for Springtree to install the new projection system in the Opera House for $26,811.56. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #11

Mayor Ashmore explained the situation of the mobile home on the property of 200 N. Mary Street. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by David Bates to approve the sale of the trailer (mobile home) on the property of 200 N. Mary Street to Leon Dilliner (who owns the property the home sits on) for the price of any and all taxes that are owed/due but no less than $1.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #12

Mayor Ashmore explained the tree removal at 409 West Lucretia Street. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the tree removal estimate from Dakota Kelley to remove trees on west side of property at 409 W. Lucretia Street for the cost of $1,800.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #13

Mayor Ashmore explained the property at 201 E. Franklin Street and the property owner has asked for help from the city to empty the building contents—this is the old sewing factory. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve Lappin Trucking to remove all the contents from 201 E. Franklin Street for the cost of $7,450.00—the city will pay 50% of this cost. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #14—Archery Update.

Rick and Barb Linton were not in attendance.

Agenda Item #15

Mayor Ashmore explained the property at 701 E. Callie Street in preparation for a home to be built. A motion was made by Rose Bochantin and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the TIF agreement for the new home at 701 E. Callie Street for installing water and sewer lines from the meter to the home and to terminate the exposed sewer tap on the property adjacent for the cost of $5,575.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and second by Rose Bochantin to approve the bills as presented by the finance committee. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Dana Laur and 2nd by Rose Bochantin to approve the treasurer’s report. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion Carried.

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

A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger 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 2nd by Rose Bochantin to approve the tourism 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 library directors report. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Attorney Update:

Attorney Bigler—Working on the mobile home taxes from the property in agreement to sell. City court is moving forward—many have just paid their fines. Currently working with the county for court, it has been cancelled twice.

Public comment/questions:

Update on dogs from Laura Betts: Barking is still a problem. People are concerned about dogs jumping the fence or breaking through barriers. Neighbors feel the fencing is unsafe and they feel unsafe with the aggressive dogs barking. South Broadway is a nice road and well used by many.

The property needs to be cleaned up.

Mayor explained that the owner is working on getting the dogs moved to his current property. Some items were removed from the property today. When it is all removed the property owner will be selling the property.

Nathan Dilliner asked if it was still improper/illegal to drive golf carts on the main road—Rt. 154. He experienced a lady with a child driving down the wrong side of Rt. 154 from the DG Market all the way to South Walnut Street and then she turned on South onto South Walnut Street.

Mayor explained that yes that was illegal, and the Sesser Police are pulling people over who are doing this when they see them.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 PM by David Bates and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 8:02 PM.

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