North Egypt News

City of Sesser City Council met Sept. 11.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, September 11, 2025. It was called to order by Mayor Ashmore at 6:31 PM. Prayer was led by Paul Roberts. The pledge of allegiance was said. Mayor Ashmore asked for a moment of silence for all the occurrences that have happened in the recent days and for our Nation.  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 Dana Laur and seconded by Rose Bochantin to approve the minutes for the regular August meeting held on August 14, 2025. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Agenda Item #1--TIF

The following TIF agreements were up for approval and bid but the bids were rejected.  These will be sent back out for bid. 

101 E.  North Street—demolition and removal bid--$22,391.00—bid rejected.

409 E. Florence Street—demolition and removal bid $16,744.00—bid rejected.

403 W. Lottie Street—demolition and removal bid $17, 296.00—bid rejected.

A motion was made by Jeff Hamburger and seconded by David Bates to approve a TIF agreement with Big Daddy Liquor, Inc. for the new construction of a gas station and convenience store and reimburse cost in the amount of $50,000.00 to be paid in two installments of $25,000.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Travis Zettler to approve a TIF agreement with Anthony Martin for the redevelopment project of the home at 609 N. Locust Street in the amount of $10,277.50.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

A motion was made by Jeff Hmburger and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve a TIF agreement with Bill & Gayla Yung to install a wheelchair ramp at 212 E. Espy Street in the amount of $3,761.64.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #2   

Bid rejected listed above. 

Agenda Item #3

A motion was made by David Bates and second by Travis Zettler to approve the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase IV Contract A contractor’s pay estimate #4 to Wiggs Excavating in the amount of $282,059.66.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #4

A motion was made by Dana Laur and second by David Bates to approve the Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation Phase IV Contract A Construction Engineering Bill #4 to Brown and Roberts in the amount of $15,386.70.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #5

The motion was made by Travis Zettler and second by Jeff Hmburger to approve the Cockrum Street Watermain Improvements 2025 DRA Grant (IL9494) Review of Bids and notice of awards—Keifer Brothers Construction is awarded the bid in the amount of $499,192,64.    All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #6

A motion was made by Wayne Shannon and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the professional agreement with Azavar as presented.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #7  

A motion was made by David Bates and second by Travis Zettler to approve the FY25 city audit as presented.  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 David Bates to approve the FY25 TIF audit as presented.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #9 

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and second by David Bates to approve the wage change for Kelly Greenwood Library Director to $18.50 per hour as requested effective beginning September 13, 2025.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #10

Mayor Ashmore presented the new police department assignments.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the appointment of Josh Basenburg to assistant chief with $1.00 per hour wage increase beginning September 1, 2025, and an increase of $3.25 per hour wage increase for Officer Kirk Packer when do investigation work for the police department effective beginning September 13, 2025.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried. 

Agenda Item #11 

Mayor Ashmore presented information on the Elite K-9, HDPE kit and Stash Box.  A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the purchase of the Elite K-9, HDPE kit and Stash Box in the amount of $1,404.90 using monies from the Opioid fund.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #12  

A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Dana Laur to approve the bid to repair the cemetery building roof in the amount of $1,568.78 by Valazquez Roofing & More.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #13 

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and second by Dana Laur to approve resolution #20-2025 to close Route 154 (Franklin Avenue) from Cockrum Street to Route 148 (Park Street) from 3 PM—9 PM for the Halloween Stroll on October 31, 2025.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda Item #14  

A motion was made by Travis Zettler and seconded by Jeff Hamburger to approve the purchase of a new color printer for the mayor’s office in the amount of $461.70 from Northbridge.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

Agenda item #15  

A motion was made by David Bates and seconded by Wayne Shannon to approve the sponsorship of the Annual Alumni game in the amount of $150.00.  All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.  Motion carried.

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

Attorney Bigler—all is quiet—still working on Sesser Lake property.      

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

Public comments: None

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 7:29 PM by David Bates and 2nd by Wayne Shannon. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.

Adjourned at 7:29 PM.

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