North Egypt News

City of Sesser City Council met April 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, April 18, 2024. It was called to order by Mayor Ashmore at 6:31 PM. Prayer was led by Terry Miller. 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--here, Jeff Hamburger--here.

A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and 2nd by David Bates to approve the minutes for the regular March meeting and a special meeting on 3-19-24. 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 #5. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the Sanitary Sewer Service for Rend Lake Contractor’s pay estimate #5 to Wiggs Excavating in the amount of $44,760.01. 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 #5 to Brown and Roberts. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the Sanitary Sewer Service for Rend Lake construction engineering bill #5 to Brown and Roberts in the amount of $9,085.10. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #4

Matt Tosh explained the North Street Watermain Improvements (2023 DRA Grant) Review of bids. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to the North Street Watermain Improvements (2023 DRA Grant) Review of Bids and to award the low bid to Wiggs Excavating in the cost of $172,385.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #5

Matt Tosh explained the North Street Watermain Improvements design engineering bill. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the North Street Watermain Improvements (DRA Grant 2023) Design Engineering Bill #1 to Brown & Roberts in the amount of $25,410.05. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #1--TIF

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Double R Bar, Brandi Ward manager for a roof repair. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by David Bates to approve the TIF agreement with Double R Bar, Brandi Ward manager in the amount of $1884.00—50% of the roof repair, payable upon project completion. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore clerk Stacey to open the bids received on the property demolition at 501 West Murray. There were two bids received as follows:

K-5--$4,200.00

Lappin Trucking--$2,400.00

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the demolition of the structure (out building) at 501 West Murray Street by the low bidder Lappin Trucking for $2,400.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the resolution to sell the surplus property of 105 N. Cockrum Street. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve Resolution #9-2024 to sell surplus property of 105 North Cockrum Street for 80% of the appraised value of $5,000.00 (80%= $4,000.00). All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #6

Mayor Ashmore explained the update to the LOCIS system and updating to LOCIS 8 for accounting but stay with LOCIS 7 for the utility department. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the update to LOCIS 8 for accounting but remain with LOCIS 7 for utility for the cost of $11,364.00 plus hours of training. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #7

Mayor Ashmore explained the advertisement in the SI SCOUT for tourism and recreation. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by David Bates to approve the advertisement in the SI SCOUT at the cost of $200.00 for an 1/8 of a page ad. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #8

Mayor Ashmore explained the need to purchase a new police vehicle due to one of ours had the airbags deploy when at the place to get fixed. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the purchase of a new police vehicle for the cost of $65,330.00 minus the $22,000.00 from the insurance company for the loss of the old vehicle. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #9

Mayor Ashmore explained the MFT Resolution for 2024. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve Resolution #10-2024 MFT in the amount of $95,000.00 for 2024. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #10

Mayor Ashmore explained the agreement and resolution with IDOT for repair of the parking lanes on Franklin Avenue up to the four way. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the agreement and pass Resolution #11-2024 to repair the downtown parking lanes. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #11

Mayor Ashmore explained the contract with KAC for the architectural work for the Opera House. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the contract for architectural services with KAC-Kelly Architecture and Consulting for work on the Opera House. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #12

Mayor Ashmore explained the Blue Kids Campaign through the Sherrif’s office. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve a donation of $100.00 to the Blue Kids Campaign. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #13

Mayor Ashmore read the National League of Cities proclamation. No action was to be taken.

Agenda Item #14

Mayor Ashmore explained the payment of entertainment for the pre-eclipse event in the park. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the expense of entertainment for the Pre-Solar Eclipse Party at the Park and payment to Cody Galloway for $400.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #15

Mayor Ashmore explained the reimbursement from the Home Rule Account to the TIF account—this was for the Delta Authority partial grant reimbursement. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the reimbursement from the Home Rule account to the TIF account in the amount of $23,204.53.

Agenda Item #16

Mayor Ashmore and Sean Payne explained the bathroom project in the park and how it was moving along. The total expense that the city has agreed to pay is about $30,000.00—a little over $11,000.00 will be from the money donated from the Miner’s Memorial group. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve/authorize up to $30,000.00 (not to exceed without another approval) for the new bathroom construction expenses in the park. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #17

Mayor Ashmore explained that he was looking to hire some summer help. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to hire Cash Acosta at $14.00 per hour as summer help and he would begin after school on April 22nd from 3:30—5:00 each weekday until school is out, then work up to 40 hours each week. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #18

Mayor Ashmore explained that there were at least two positions on the Library Board that need to be appointed—he would like to appoint Brinda Androvandi and Karrisa Stagner. A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger to approve the appointments of Brinda Androvandi and Karrisa Stagner to the library board. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #19

Mayor Ashmore and Sean Payne explained the tree bids from Kelley’s Tree Service. A total of 13 city trees to be removed at the total cost of $10,200.00 and to be paid from TIF funds. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the bid from Kelley’s Tree Service for 13 trees at the cost of $10,200.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion. Carried.

Agenda Item #21

Sean Payne and Mayor Ashmore explained the stump removal bid. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the stump removal bid from BAM Industries for stumps at the city park for $900.00 and at the cemetery for $650.00. Travis Zettler abstained from the vote due to a family member bidding for the job, all of the others in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #22

Mayor Ashmore and Chief Bareis presented the increase of the part time officers pay. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by by David Bates to approve the increase of part time police officers from $19.00 per hour to $21.75 per hour (this will include investigator pay which will now be the same--$21.75 per hour) beginning the first May 2024 payroll—this payroll begins on April 27, 2024. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #23

Mayor Ashmore had Sean Payne explain the trading of surplus equipment. Sean Payne explained the trading of the 1989 road grader for a mini excavator. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the trade of the city’s 1989 road grader for a mini excavator for an equal trade (no money exchange). All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Sean Payne then explained the need for a trailer to haul the excavation equipment. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the purchase of a trailer for the mini excavator, but not to exceed $8,000.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #24

Mayor Ashmore and Chief Bareis explained the need to purchase new body cameras. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the purchase of police body cameras but not to exceed $25,000.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Attorney Bigler—Contacted a surveyor, has the 1976 survey of Sesser Lake—will be giving the city a visual depiction of what the city actually owns. Mr. Bigler will be working with the surveyor on this endeavor.

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

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

A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the code inspectors report as presented. All of those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion. Carried.

A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by David Bates to approve the library director’s report as presented. All of those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion. Carried.

There were no treasurer’s, tourism or Opera House reports presented.

Public comment:

Terry Miller—Asked about the storm warning siren. Does it work? Mayor Ashmore said he would have the fire department check and that there had been discussions on new ones—how many and were to place.

Guy Boyd—Mr. Boyd was representing the Opera House board and read a letter to the council requesting/proposing full access to the restrooms at the Opera House annex—as well as an area for concessions, etc. Asking the council to evaluate the contract with Debra K’s to consider use of areas. Alderman Bates will attend the next OH board meeting to try to work things out and get something in writing with both parties.

Christie Sweely—Franklin County Tourism board—Christie reported that there would be some news coming soon, possibly the Dam Road reopening sooner than expected, a possible dog park by the lake, the tourism budget will be seeing an increase, as well as a grant they are receiving. Ribbon cutting for the new sewer will be on April 25th at 9;45 AM—information will be forthcoming.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 PM by David Bates and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 8:41 PM.

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