North Egypt News

City of Sesser City Council met Dec. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, December 12, 2024. It was called to order by Mayor Ashmore at 6:30 PM. Prayer was led by David Bates. 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--absent, Travis Zettler--absent, David Bates--here, Jeff Hamburger--absent. **Mayor Ashmore will vote to make a quorum.

A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Dana Laur 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 explained the TIF agreement with Rodney Sides for the demo of the home at 304 S. Cherry Street. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded Dana Laur to approve the agreement for demolition of the home by the only bidder, Lappin Trucking, in the amount of $10,980.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Tim Pierce for the demo of the home at 604 South Park Street. A motion was made by Rose Bochantin and seconded by David Bates to approve the TIF Agreement and to award the only bidder Lappin Trucking in the amount of $14,310.00 to demolition the home. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion Carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained we now had the resolution for the TIF agreement with Darin and Angela Atchison for a building renovation of the fitness center. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the resolution #25-2024 a TIF agreement with Darin and Angela Atchison to renovate the fitness center in the amount of $20,000.00 as approved last month. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Kenneth Benedict for the Gualdoni at 102 West Franklin Avenue. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Dana Laur to approve a TIF agreement to renovate the 2nd floor of the Gualdoni to make hotel rooms in the amount of $30,000.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #2

Matt Tosh explained the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase IV Contract A Contractor’s pay estimate #1. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase IV Contract A Contractor’s pay estimate #1 to Wiggs Excavating in the amount of $77,983.90. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #3

Matt Tosh explained the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase IV Contract B Contractor’s pay estimate #1. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase IV Contract B Contractor’s pay estimate #1 to Wiggs Excavating, in the amount of $30,134.59. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #4

Matt Tosh explained the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase IV Contract A construction engineering bill #1. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Dana Laur to approve Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase IV Contract A construction engineering bill #1 to Brown and Roberts in the amount of $3,889.82. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #5

Matt Tosh explained the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase IV Contract B construction engineering bill #1. A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded by Rose Bochantin to the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase Iv Contract B construction engineering bill #1 to Brown and Roberts in the amount of $789.60. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #6

Matt Tosh explained the borrowing from the Public Water Supply Loan Program. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the ordinance #5-2024 an ordinance to approve the borrowing from the Public Water Supply Loan Program in the amount of $1,471,000.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #7

Mayor Ashmore explained the Opera House DCEO Mason’s Masonry payment #1. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the opera House DCEO Mason’s Masonry Payment #1 to Mason’s Masonry Restoration in the amount of $93,771.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #8

Mayor Ashmore explained the Opera House Architecture invoice #379. A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded by David Bates to approve the Opera House architecture invoice #379 to Kelly Architecture in the amount to $1,148.85. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #9

Mayor Ashmore explained that the library bathroom renovation project. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the Library Bathroom Renovation bid from Erwin Builders in the amount of $23,500.00 ($18,000.00 from grant and balance from TIF). All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #10

Mayor Ashmore explained the tax levy. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Dana Laur to pass the Ordinance #6-2024, the tax levy ordinance which includes a total levy of $193,655.65. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #11

Mayor Ashmore explained he would like to move Wyatt Loucks to $17.00 per hour as a part time employee. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the increase in pay for Wyatt Loucks to $17.00 per hour effective December 21, 2024. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #12

Mayor Ashmore asked for the approval of the new phone system (as discussed last month) from Northbridge. A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the quote form Northbridge for new phones at city hall in the amount of $325.00 per month as a lease. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #13

Mayor Ashmore discussed the audit. Explained the changes that were noted as needed to be addressed have been.

Attorney Bigler—Still working on the Lucretia foreclosure, but otherwise quiet.

Mayor Ashmore asked the council to approve payment of the bills and all reports by consent agenda. A motion was made by Rose Bochantin and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the consent agenda (all reports presented from departments). All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Public comments:

Alderman Bates wanted to make it noted that he was very appreciative of all the volunteers and the Chamber who have put forth effort in making the Halloween Stroll and Christmas Stroll happen. Both were great events. He also asked about possibly closing the street next year for the Halloween stroll.

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:16 PM by David Bates and 2nd by Rose Bochantin. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 7:16 PM.

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