North Egypt News

City of Sesser City Council met Jan. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, January 16, 2025. It was called to order by Alderman Travis Zettler at 5:02 PM. Prayer was led by Wayne Shannon. The pledge of allegiance was said.

Clerk Stacey called the roll--Rose Bochantin--here, Dana Laur—here, Wayne Shannon--here, Travis Zettler--here, David Bates--absent, Jeff Hamburger--absent.

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

Agenda Item #1--TIF

Clerk Stacey explained the TIF resolution with Kenneth Benedict for renovations at the Gualdoni as approved last month. A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve resolution #1-2025 a TIF resolution with Kenneth Benedict for renovations at the Gualdoni building. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #2

Matt Tosh explained the Callie Street Watermain Railroad crossing Contractor’s pay estimate #2. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the Contractor’s pay estimate #2 to Wiggs Excavating in the amount of $ 7,933.00 for the Callie Street Watermain Railroad crossing. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #3

Matt Tosh explained the Callie Street Watermain Railroad crossing Change Order #3. A motion was made by Rose Bochantin and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the Callie Street Watermain Railroad crossing Change Order #3, this would increase the contract by @2,900.00 and increase the contract by 59 days for a completion of Feb. 28, 2025. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #4

Matt Tosh explained the North Street Watermain Improvements Contractor’s pay estimate #2. A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve North Street Watermain Improvements contractor’s pay estimate #2 to Wigg’s excavating in the amount of $6,170.85. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #5

Matt Tosh explained the North Street Watermain Improvements Change Order #1. A motion was made by Rose Bochantin and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the North Street Watermain Improvements Change Order #1 which will increase the contract price by $3,785.00 and increase the contract by 196 days. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #6

Matt Tosh explained the North Street Watermain Improvements Construction engineering bill #2. A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the North Street Watermain Improvements Construction engineering bill #2 to Brown and Roberts in the amount of $1,917.47. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #7

Matt Tosh explained the Water System Improvements Phase 3 authorizing Brown and Roberts to advertise for bids. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve Brown and Roberts to advertise for bids for the Water System Improvements Phase 3. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #8

Clerk Stacey explained the expenses for Mayor Ashmore to attend the IML Lobby Day and the National League of Cities conference in DC. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve expenses for the Mayor to travel to the National League of Cities conference and IML lobby day for the reimbursement cost of $4,300.00. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried

****Mayor Ashmore arrived at the meeting at 5:25 PM

Agenda Item #9

Mayor Ashmore explained the Opera House DCEO payment to DE Martin Roofing. A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the Opera House DCEO grant application for payment to DE Martin Roofing in the amount of $15,606.50. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #10

Mayor Ashmore explained the transfer of TIF funds to the DCEO grant account. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the transfer of TIF funds to the DCEO grant. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #11

Mayor Ashmore presented the contract for renewal with Rice and Sullivan for auditing services for the next 3 years. A motion was made by Rose Bochantin and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the new 3 year contract with Rice and Sullivan for audits of fiscal years as follows:

2025--$20,000, 2026--$20, 300, and 2027--$20,500. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #12

Mayor Ashmore gave the state of the city address. No action was needed on this item.

Agenda Item #13

Mayor Ashmore explained the purchase of 4 CDs with the Du Quoin State Bank. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the purchase of the 4 CDs as follows:

Sewer Debt Service Reserve x7017 will be closed and the account balance of$181,131.30 will be moved to a 9-month CD with an interest rate of 4.45%

Sewer Bond Reserve x7028 will move $325,000.00 to a 9-month CD with an interest rate of 4.45%

Maple Hill Trust x7061 will be closed and the account balance of $133,893.65 will be moved to a 9-month CD with an interest rate of 4.45%

Water Infrastructure Fund x7006 will move $125,000.00 to a 9-month CD with an interest rate of 4.45%

The signers will be Dena Fox, Mari Montgomery and Wayne Shannon. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #14

Mayor Ashmore explained the consolidation of checking accounts into the general fund. A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Dana Laur to merge the following accounts to the general fund as presented:

Police Equipment fund x4477

IMRF Account x7633

Library Fund x5675

Water Department Operating Fund x5664

Garbage account x0591

Utility account x4870

Sewer Operating Account x4466

Cemetery x7039

These will all merge with account x9566.

All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #15

This item was tabled until the February meeting.

Agenda Item #16

This item was a training sign off sheet from the cyber training information for all city employees, council members and elected officials.

*** Alderman Jeff Hamburger arrived at 5:35 PM.

Agenda Item #17

Mayor Ashmore explained that there were three officers interested in a paid gym membership. A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the providing of a gym membership for police officers at the cost of $35 per month or $25 per month for veterans. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Attorney Bigler—could not be in attendance this evening but Mayor Ashmore reported that he was working to acquire the property at 605 E. Murray Street.

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded 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.

Mayor Ashmore asked the council to approve all reports by consent agenda. A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the consent agenda (all reports presented from departments). All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Public comments:

None

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 5:45 PM by Travis Zettler and 2nd by Jeff Hamburger. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 5:45 PM.

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