North Egypt News

City of Sesser City Council met Dec. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, December 14, 2023. It was called to order by Mayor A shmore at 6:30 PM. Prayer was led by Wayne Shannon. The pledge of allegiance was said, and Mayor Ashmore 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--absent, Jeff Hamburger--here.

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

Agenda Item #1--TIF

Mayor Ashmore invited Holly Roeder to talk about the TIF agreement that she would like the city to approve. Holly spoke to the council about her plans for the current building, how much she has already done on her own without city funding, and what she would like to do in the future with this part of the building and the lots that need to be cleaned up. During this discussion, comments were taken from Jeff Ragland and Chase Ragland who were in attendance of the meeting in the public. After much discussion, a motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve Resolution #25-2023 the TIF grant with Elevated Institute at 223 East Franklin Ave for a one-time grant payment of $15,000.00 upon completion of the rehabilitation. Votes were as follows: Laur—yes, Shannon—abstain, Zettler—yes, Hamburger—yes, Bochantin—yes. Motion Carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the request for TIF money to build a ramp for Bonnie Ezell. The Hazel Dell Church is going to building the ramp with volunteers, but they need help with the cost of the lumber. The cost is $700.00 and the TIF consultant said it is something the city can do—but drawing up the resolution would be too costly, and he suggested the city just approve the spend for the low cost. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the building of a ramp at 411 S. Locust Street and reimbursement be made by TIF funds upon completion for approximately $700.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF project by Henry Meinert for a home rehab at 400 South Walnut Street. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the TIF agreement with Henry Meinert for a home rehab at 400 S. Walnut Street for a reimbursement of $7,500.00 upon completion. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Tyler Hacker for home renovations at 403 W. Florence Street. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the TIF agreement with Tyler Haker for the home renovation at 403 W. Florence Street and a reimbursement of $5,000.00 upon completion. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion Carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Sesser Pave and Seal for a roof repair. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the TIF agreement with Sesser Pave and Seal for a roof repair in the amount of $12,500.00 upon completion. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Jeff Sweely to renovate a home at 501 West Murray Street. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the TIF agreement with Jeff Sweely to renovate the home at 501 West Murray Street in the amount of $12,500.00 upon completion. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #2

Mayor Ashmore explained the Tax Levy as presented. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the Tax Levy in the amount of $193,655.65 and pass ordinance #6-2023. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #3

Mayor Ashmore explained the ARPA resolution with Brown and Roberts for the Elm Street resurfacing. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve and pass Resolution #24-2023 a resolution to execute an agreement with Brown and Roberts for the Sesser ARPA Elm Street resurfacing project. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve and execute the engineering agreement with Brown and Roberts for the Elm Street resurfacing project. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #4

Clerk Stacey opened the bids for the HVAC system replacement at City Hall. Bids were as follows:

JEN Mechanical--$74,583.00

AirServ--$37,460.00

Culbertson--$45,153.00

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Wayne Shannon to accept the low bid for the city hall replacement HVAC system from AirServ for $37,460.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #5

Mayor Ashmore explained that he would like to appoint Sean Payne as the new Director of Public Works beginning January 2, 2023. This position will combine the two positions of Street & Alley supervisor and Water and Sewer supervisor into one position and allow for training as these supervisors will be retiring over the course of the coming years. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the appointment of Sean Payne as the new Director of Public Works as presented. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #6

Mayor Ashmore explained the Christmas bonuses as presented. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and Rose Bochantin to approve Christmas bonuses for the city employees as presented. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #7

Mayor Ashmore explained he would like to attend the US Conference of Mayors in Washington, DC. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Dana Laur to approve Mayor Ashmore attending the US Conference of Mayors on Jan 17—19, 2024 in Washington, DC at an approx. cost of $3,000.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #8

--This item was tabled—P—Law.

Agenda Item #9

Mayor Ashmore explained the property at 105 N. Cockrum was available for purchase. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the purchase of the property at 105 N. Cockrum for $11,000.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #10

The city posted the property at 713 S. Walnut Street for sale as surplus property last month. One bid was received. The bid was opened by Clerk Stacey—Bid was from Brandon Stubblefield in the amount of $1,500.00. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Rose Bochantin to accept the bid from Brandon Stubblefield for the sale of the property at 713 S. Walnut Street for $1,500.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Attorney update— Attorney Bigler said city court was going well, had an actual trial on one of the ordinance violations and the Judge found in the City’s favor. But things are going well with city court.

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 Rose Bochantin and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger 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 Travis Zettler and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger to approve the code inspector’s report. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

There was no tourism report presented.

A motion was made by Rose Bochantin and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the Library Director’s report. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and Jeff Hamburger to approve the Opera House Board report as presented. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 PM by Jeff Hamburger and 2nd by Dana Laur. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 8:11 PM.

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