North Egypt News

City of Sesser City Council met Nov. 9.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, November 9, 2023. It was called to order by David Bates at 6:34 PM. Prayer was led by Nathan Dilliner from the Ewing First Baptist Church. The pledge of allegiance was said, and Travis Zettler asked for Veterans to remain standing and thanked them for their service.

The mayor arrived at 6:38 PM as he was traveling from Peoria.

Clerk Stacey called the roll--Rose Bochantin--here, Dana Laur--absent, Wayne Shannon--here, Travis Zettler--here, David Bates--here, Jeff Hamburger--here.

A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and 2nd by David Bates to approve the minutes for the regular October meeting and a short Special Meeting on November 2nd. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #2

Matt Tosh explained the water system improvement phase 2 contractor pay estimate #9. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the Water System Improvement Phase 2 Contractor’s Pay Estimate #9 to Wiggs Excavating for $59,550.75. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion Carried.

Agenda Item #3

Matt Tosh explained the Water Systems Improvement Phase 2 Change order #5. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and 2nd by David Bates to approve the Water Systems Improvement Phase 2 change order #5 which decreases the cost by $11,231.00, and will change the completion to May 28, 2024 due to waiting on parts. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #4

Matt Tosh explained the Water Systems Improvement Phase 2 Construction Engineering Bill #9. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and 2nd by David Bates to approve the Water Systems Improvement Phase 2 construction engineering bill #9 to Brown and Roberts for $2,916.72. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #5

Matt Tosh explained the Water System Improvement 2022 DRA Grand (Elm Street) Contractor’s Pay Estimate. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the Water Systems Improvement 2022 DRA Grant (Elm Street) Contractor’s Pay Estimate #4—Final to Wiggs Excavating for $18,432.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion Carried.

Agenda Item #6

Matt Tosh explained the Water System Improvements 2022 DRA Grant (Elm Street) Change Order #3—Final. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the Water System Improvements 2022 DRA Grant (Elm Street) change order #3—Final for an increase of $534.64. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #7

Matt Tosh explained the Water System Improvements 2022 DRA Grant (Elm Street) Construction engineering bill #3. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the Water System Improvements 2022 DRA Grant (Elm Street) Construction Engineering Bill #3 to Brown and Roberts for $562.69. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Item #1—TIF

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Melinda Montgomery to demolish and remove the trailer at 5053 West Murray Street. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the TIF agreement with Melinda Montgomery to demolish the trailer at 5053 West Murray Street and to accept the bid of $6,675.00 from Lappin Trucking (the only bid received). All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Richard Winters to demolish and remove the residential building at 713 S. Cockrum Street. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by David Bates to approve the TIF agreement with Richard Winters to demolish the residential building at 713 South Cockrum Street and approve the bid from Lappin Trucking for $6,045.00 (the only bid received). All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Scott Carter for the demolition and removal of the dilapidated building at 203 S. Elm Street. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the TIF agreement with Scott Carter to demolish and remove the building at 203 S. Elm Street and accept the bid from Lappin Trucking (the only bid received) for $482.50. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Elevated Institute to rehabilitate the property at 223 East Franklin Ave. Hearing no motion after the given amount of time, this item had no action taken.

A TIF agreement with Kenny Wise was tabled at this time.

Agenda Item #8

Mayor Ashmore explained the IML Resolution Civility Pledge. Mayor Ashmore read the civility pledge. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to pass and accept the IML Resolution to adapt the Civility Pledge, Sesser Resolution #22-2023. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Dana Laur arrived at 7:07 PM.

Agenda Item #9

Mayor Ashmore explained the sale of surplus property resolution to sell the property at 713 South Walnut Street. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve and pass Resolution #23-2023 authorizing the sale of surplus property of 713 South Walnut Street that has an appraised value of $1,800.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #10

Mayor Ashmore explained the city employee health insurance renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to approve the city employee health insurance renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield with a monthly increase to $12,541.62 (at this time) and the city’s portion being $10,887.26 (currently). All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #11

Mayor Ashmore explained the liability insurance with RMA renewal was $40,450.00—to be split with water/sewer & street/alley. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the renewal of the liability insurance with RMA for $40,450 to be split with WS/SA. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #12

Mayor Ashmore explained the payoff of the general obligation bond with People’s Band would be $166,576.19 and that it could be paid out of the Home Rule account and save about $20,000.00 if paid off early. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve paying off the general obligation bond with People’s Band in the amount of $166,576.19. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #13

Mayor Ashmore explained that the city had received an offer on the property on the corner of East Franklin and South Walnut. This property was advertised for sale several years ago and there have been no offers made until now. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to accept the bid on the property on the corner of East Franklin and South Walnut from Michelle Hamm for $900.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #14

Mayor Ashmore explained the donation to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Sesser-Valier. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to approve a donation of $500.00 to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Sesser-Valier. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #15

Mayor Ashmore discussed the need to send one disbursement of the city monthly newsletter out in hard copy once a year to everyone. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the disbursement of the city newsletter to everyone once a year. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Attorney update—Still working on Lucretia property with Murphy Hart—should get the deed changed shortly. City court is meeting once a month. Several tickets paid at city hall, just a few going to court.

Travis Zettler also wanted to recognize Amie Nitz for her work at the Opera House Spook Walk—she did a very nice job at putting this together.

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and second by Jeff Hamburger 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 Travis Zettler 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 Wayne Shannon 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 David Bates and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger 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 Jeff Hamburger 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 David Bates to approve the Library Director’s report. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

No Opera House Board report.

Public comment/questions:

Sean Payne from the Junior Football Program presented the city with a check to pay back the balance of the loan the city gave 7 years ago. The balance was $12,500.00 from the total of $25,000.00. $12,500.00 was previously paid back. This was a 10 year loan that the Junior Football program paid back in 7 years. Sean thanked the city for investing in the program and says the program is currently able to sustain on its own.

Wayne Shannon asked Jon Uraski to speak about Shop with a Hero program. Sign ups are currently being taken at city hall. Donations to the program can also be made at city hall.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:44 PM by David Bates and 2nd by Travis Zettler. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 7:44 PM.

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