North Egypt News

City of Sesser City Council met Jan. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, January 11, 2024. It was called to order by Mayor Ashmore at 6:35 PM. Prayer was led by Chris Hottensen of the First Baptist Church. 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—absent, Wayne Shannon--here, Travis Zettler--here, David Bates--absent, Jeff Hamburger--here.

A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and 2nd by David Bates to approve the minutes for the regular December meeting. 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 keep executive meeting minutes private. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #2

Matt Tosh explained the Sanitary Sewer Service for Rend Lake Contractor’s pay estimate #2. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the Sanitary Sewer Service for Rend Lake Contractor’s pay estimate #2 to Wiggs Excavating in the amount of $85,403.70. 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 construction engineering bill #2 to Brown and Roberts. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to approve the Sanitary Sewer Service for Rend Lake construction engineering bill #2 to Brown and Roberts in the amount of $10,636.32. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #4

Matt Tosh explained the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase IV. Bids came in higher than expected and the recommendation is to proceed with Contract A but hold off on Contract B for now while a search of other funds can be done. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve moving forward with Contract A of the Sanitary Service Rehabilitation Phase IV with the low bidder being Wiggs Excavating for $1,038,440.00 contingent on the change of scope. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #5

Phase IV contract B—tabled for now.

Agenda Item #6

Matt Tosh explained the North Street Watermain Improvements resolution. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to approve Resolution #1-2024, a resolution to execute the agreement for the North Street Watermain Improvements with Brown and Roberts. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #1

Mayor Ashmore asked the council to approve resolution #2-2024. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve resolution #2-2024 a TIF resolution with Henry Meinert as approved last month. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore asked for the council to approve resolution #3-2024. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve resolution #3-2024 a TIF agreement with Tyler Hacker as approved last month. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore asked for the council to approve resolution #4-2024. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve resolution #4-2024 a TIF agreement with Sesser Pave and Seal as approved last month. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #7

Mayor Ashmore explained that he had received bids for cleaning city hall and would like the council to approve Misty Lane as the new cleaning service for city hall at $120 per week. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by David Bates to approve the new cleaning service for city hall as presented. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #9

Mayor Ashmore explained he had received a resignation from Zach Bryant. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by David Bates to accept Zach Bryant’s resignation effective 1-3-2024. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #8

Mayor Ashmore explained he would like to hire Nathan Harmon as a full-time employee and he would start February 1st. He also explained he would like to move Bryce Maguire to full time starting May 1st. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by David Bates to hire Nathan Harmon as a full time city employee with a start date of February 1, 2024 at $18.50 per hour (not taking city insurance) and to move Bryce Maguire to full-time on May 1, 2024 at $17.50 per hour (will take city insurance), both will be able to earn pay increased at $1.00 per hour per certification for the following certifications—CDL, Water certification, and Sewer certification. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #10

Mayor Ashmore explained the Economic Recovery Plan and the adoption resolution. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to adopt and approve resolution #5-2024 a resolution to adopt the Economic Recovery Plan for the City of Sesser. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #11

Mayor Ashmore explained that he would like to attend the National League of Cities in Washington, DC. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the mayor to attend the National League of Cities in DC at an approximate cost of $3,300.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

The mayor gave his 2024 State of the City address. This will be posted on the city website.

Agenda Item #13

Jerome Kopec spoke to the council about his unused sick and vacation time and working out a plan to use his days prior to retirement. David Bates said he would like to see a plan of transition—this would include using sick leave, vacation leave as well as training of new employees to take over. This plan will be brought forward next month. No action taken at this time.

Agenda Item #14

Mayor Ashmore explained the bill from the opera house for electrical work. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by David Bates to approve the electrician bill from R Electrician for work at the opera house in the amount of $800.00. Travis Zettler—abstain, all others in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Attorney update— Attorney Bigler said city court was going well. Everything else—quiet.

Public comment—

Christy Sweely asked if there was any events in Sesser being planned for the Eclipse. The mayor said there was something being planned by Brewed on Broadway.

Question about gas stations in Sesser—mayor said he is working on 2 others.

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 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 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 David Bates 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 David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the Library Director’s report. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and David Bates 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 7:47 PM by Jeff Hamburger and 2nd by David Bates. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 7:47 PM.

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