North Egypt News

City of Sesser City Council met June 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, May 9, 2024. It was called to order by Mayor aat 6:30 PM. Prayer was led by Eli Schoenbaechler from Eternal Friends in Christ. 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--here, Jeff Hamburger--here.

A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and 2nd by David Bates to approve the minutes for the regular April meeting. 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 #6. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the Sanitary Sewer Service for Rend Lake Contractor’s pay estimate #6 to Wiggs Excavating in the amount of $231,520.28 for the month of April. 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 #6 to Brown and Roberts. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the Sanitary Sewer Service for Rend Lake construction engineering bill #6 to Brown and Roberts in the amount of $6,381.95 for the month of April. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #4

Matt Tosh explained the Water Systems Improvement Phase 2 (meters/IEPA Loan) A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the Water Systems Improvement Phase 2 contractor’s pay estimate #10 to Wiggs Excavating—final payment in the amount of $17,101.48. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #5

Matt Tosh explained the Water Systems Improvement Phase 2 change order #6—final. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the Water Systems Improvement Phase 2 change order #6—final to adjust quantities installed and a decrease of $14,007.12. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #6

Matt Tosh explained the Water Systems Improvement Phase 2 construction engineering bill #10. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the Water System Improvements Phase 2 construction engineering bill #10 to Brown & Roberts for $2,031.21—final. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #7

Matt Tosh explained the change order for the Elm Street project. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by David Bates to approve the change order for the South Elm Street project for an increase of $5,423.15. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #8

A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the contractors pay estimate #1 payment to ET Simonds in the amount of $257,975.61 for materials on the Elm Street project. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion. Carried.

Agenda Item #1--TIF

Mayor Ashmore explained the demo of the structure at 102 North Cockrum. Clerk Stacey opened the only bid received. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by David Bates to accept the only bid for demo of the structure at 102 N. Cockrum street to Lappin Trucking for $7,800.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

310 S. Locust –tabled

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to approve the TIF agreement with LaDonna and Louis Roberts for a home at 601 W. Callie for a one-time payment of $3,300.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the Tif Agreement with Gavin Woodland for the home at 103 E. North Street (was listed as West North Street on agenda). A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the TIF agreement with Gavin Woodland for the home at 103 East North Street with a one-time payment of $9,000.00 for refurbishment. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained he had received one bid on the property of 105 North Cockrum. Clerk Stacey opened the bid. The bid was from Darin Atchison for $4,000.00. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by David Bates to approve the sale of the property at 105 North Cockrum to Darin Atchison in the amount of $4,000.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #9

Mayor Ashmore explained the resolution for the closure of Franklin Avenue for the Sesser Homecoming parade. A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve Resolution #12-2024, a resolution to close Franklin Avenue (also known as Route 154) from approximately 2:00 PM—6:00PM on June 15, 2024, for the Sesser Homecoming parade. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #10

Mayor Ashmore explained the employee raises as presented. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the employee raises as presented--.50 cents per hour except for Mari Montgomery, she will receive $1.00 per hour raise (recent new employees are also excluded from the raise). This raise will go into effect starting May 11, 2024—effective the May #2 payroll. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #11—FOP contract--tabled.

Agenda Item #12

The June meeting will be moved to June 27, 2024, 6:30 PM.

Agenda Item #13

Mayor Ashmore explained the water/sewer rate increase. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by David Bates to approve the water/sewer rate increase--.50 cent increase on for water and for sewer for the first 2,000 gallons for in town residents and .75 cent increase on water and sewer for the first 2,000 gallons for out-of-town residents. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #14

Mayor Ashmore explained the tree bid needed to be changed and so it was. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the new bid on tree removal from Kelley’s Tree Service with a price increase of $4,200.00 with 6 added trees, the new bid is $14,400.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #15

Mayor Ashmore presented the information on the entire Library board and employee titles. A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the updated Library board members as presented and making Chasity Gossett a Co-director. Those stepping off the library board are Raymond Scott and Greg White; we thank them for their service. The new members of the board were approved last month—Brinda Aldrovandi and Carissa Stagner. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #16

Mayor Ashmore explained the new floor installation bid from Alan Fox. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the city hall floor installation by Alan Fox for the city offices for a total cost of $1388.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #17

Mayor Ashmore explained that two zoning board members had submitted resignations. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the resignations of Nathan Dilliner and Missy Knight form the Zoning Board. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore asked the council to approve the appointment of Kirk Tipton to the Zoning Board. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to approve the appointment of Kirk Tipton to the zoning board. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #19

Mayor Ashmore explained he would like to attend the National League of Cities conference in November once again. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the mayor to attend the NLC conference in November for the approximate cost of $3,860.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #20

Mayor Ashmore explained the transferring of funds and consolidation of accounts. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by David Bates to approve the bank account consolidation and transfer of excess funds as presented: City hall USDA Grant close and transfer additional funds to TIF fund—DQSB, DCEO Grant account—SBW, Cemetery operating/Cemetery Trust Fun—consolidation, IDHA RISE grant—SBW transfer funds to TIF account and close, Consolidate Rend Lake Conservancy District with Water tank maintenance and create a new water infrastructure fund, DRA Water Line Account close and transfer excess funds to Home Rule Account, Pay our ARPA Funds and transfer any excess funds to Home Rule and close account, Close out Police Equipment funds and move under general police fund. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Attorney Bigler—Contacted a surveyor, has the 1976 survey of Sesser Lake—Surveyor has completed the updated survey, is searching the titles and deeds , supplying a map with legends, etc.

Public comments:

Jeff Ragland spoke to the council about the elected officials pay—needs to increase for future officials—Jeff Hamburger asked for it to be put on the next agenda.

Terry Miller—Noted that whoever is taking care of the cemetery is doing a great job—it looks good.

Patty Utley—New bathrooms in the park are looking good—what is going to be done with the old ones? Updated? Mayor said they would be used for now—but most likely torn down—not ADA approved and not enough space to make them ADA accessible.

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 consent agenda (all reports listed on the agenda) as presented. All of those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion. Carried.

Christie Sweely—Franklin County Tourism board—Christie reported that the Dam Road reopened sooner than expected, and their recent meeting had been moved due to the storms on Wednesday.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:42 PM by David Bates and 2nd by Wayne Shannon. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 7:42 PM.

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