North Egypt News

City of Sesser City Council met April 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, April 10, 2025. It was called to order by Mayor Ashmore at 6:30 PM. Prayer was led by Eli Schoenbaechler from the Eternal Friends in Christ. The pledge of allegiance was said. Mayor Ashmore asked all 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 David Bates and 2nd by Wayne Shannon to approve the minutes from the regular March meeting with an amendment on the amount of $1800.00 to $1975.00 on the TIF agreement with Scott Neal for the property at 610 North Locust. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #1—TIF

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with VFW/American Legion Cox Post 4753 for a parking lot repair and resurface project.  A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the TIF agreement with the VFW/American Legion for the parking lot repair and resurfacing project in the amount of $15,000.00.   All those in attendance were in favor of the motion except for Jeff Hamburger who abstained from the vote.  Motion carried. 

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with H.C. Meinert Enterprises for the renovation of an existing building.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the TIF agreement and pass Resolution #4-2025 authorizing execution of a redevelopment agreement with HC Meinert Enterprises for an existing building renovation at 15679 Vivian Street in the amount of $20,000.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Mayor Ashmore explained the resolution for the sale of surplus property.  A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve the Resolution #5-2025 authorizing the sale of surplus real estate at 605 E. Murray Street for 80% of the appraisal value of $9,000.00.   All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried. 

Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Patricia Pinkston.  A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by David Bates to approve the TIF agreement with Patricia Pinkston for a wheelchair ramp to be built at 504 W. Murray Street in the amount of $3,000.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #1

Mayor Ashmore asked to council to make donations to the local Easter Egg hunts being held in Sesser.  A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to approve donations to the Easter Egg hunts as follows: First Baptist Church--$100.00 and the Sesser Volunteer Organization--$100.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #2

Mayor Ashmore explained the ad in the Swinford Media publications for Sesser Homecoming.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve placing advertisements in the Swinford Publications for May and June at the cost of $295.00 each month.   All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #3

Mayor Ashmore explained the Blue Kids Campaign.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve a donation to the Bule Kids Campaign with the Franklin-Williamson Child Advocacy Center for $100.00    All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #4

Mayor Ashmore explained that the Water Clerk had notified him of her retirement sooner than planned.  A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by David Bates to post the job vacancy for water clerk starting at a minimum of $17.00 per hour.    All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #5  

Mayor Ashmore presented raises for the city employees as of May 1, 2025.  A motion was made by David Bated and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the raises as presented to begin May 1, 2025, and the insurance changes to start May 1st and June 1st.   All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #6 & 7

Mayor Ashmore explained the National League of Cities Summer Leadership meeting and Summit Conference.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the mayor to attend the NLC Sumer Leadership meeting with the approx. cost of $1240.00 and the Summit Conference at the approx. cost of $3400.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #8  

Mayor Ashmore explained the need for the new timer switch at the Opera House.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the purchase of the new timer switch and installation by R Electrician with the cost of $300.00.   All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #9  

Mayor Ashmore explained the Opera House DCEO grant pay application #2.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Wayne Shannon to pass approve the Opera House DCEO grant pay application #2 to Mason’s Masonry in the amount of $79,371.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #10  

Mayor Ashmore explained Opera House DCEO grant pay application #3.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the Opera House DCEO grant pay application #3 to Mason’s Masonry in the amount of $19,238.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #11 

Mayor Ashmore explained the Opera House DCEO grant pay application #3.  A motion was made by Dana Laur and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the Opera House DCEO grant pay application #3 to DE Martin Roofing in the amount of $6,954.40.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #12—tabled—bill was not included in packet.

Agenda Item #13

Mayor Ashmore had Alderman Zettler explain the Sonic Wall renewal.  A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the Northbridge bill for the library Sonic Wall and 1 year license renewal in the amount of $569.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #14 

Mayor Ashmore explained the change order for the library construction project.  A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the Library Construction Grant invoice/change order for an increase in cost of $2,607.00 and a new total amount of $26,107.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #15 

Mayor Ashmore explained the need for the electric sign repair.  A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve repair to the city electric sign in the amount of $1,618.60.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #16

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the Resolution #6-2025, a resolution to close Franklin Avenue for the Homecoming Parade on June 21, 2025 from 2 PM—6PM.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #17

Mayor Ashmore explained the petition for annexation of the property at 406 E. Young.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to pass ordinance #3-2025 approving the petition for annexation by Randall Gobtop and Mary Gobtop for the property at 406 E. Young Street.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #18

Mayor Ashmore explained the upgrade of the Datto backup system at city hall.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the upgrade of the Dattto Back up system at the city hall for a cost of $235.00. 

Agenda Item #19

A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by David Bates to approve a donation to the Paralyzed Veterans of America Fishing Tournament-- to be held at Rend Lake on May 2—4, 2025, --in the amount of $1,700.00 to pay for lunches.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Attorney Bigler—Foreclosure case will be dismissed; a quit claim deed has been secured.

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 Wayne Shannon and seconded by David Bates to approve the consent agenda (code inspector’s report and treasurer’s report).  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Public comments:   Henry Meinert thanked the city council for their support of his business endeavors through TIF grants.

Darin Atchison asked about the tornado sirens and if they were going to be updated—Mayor Ashmore explained that they were thought to be obsolete by the Emergency Management and to replace them would cost $32,000.00 each. 

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 PM by David Bates and 2nd by Travis Zettler. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 7:30 PM.

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