City of Sesser Council met Jan. 12.
Here is the minutes as provided by the Council:
The regular meeting of the Sesser City Council was held on Thursday, January 12, 2017. Mayor
Ashmore called the meeting to order at 6:34 PM. Prayer was led by Zach Waldis from the First
United Methodist Church. The pledge of allegiance was said. Mayor Ashmore asked for a roll
call. Roll call was called by Clerk Stacey as follows:
Rodney Zettler—here, Dana Laur—here, Carroll Kelly—here, Keith Kramer—absent, Travis
Zettler—here, David Bates—here.
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the regular December meeting by Rodney
Zettler and 2nd by Carroll Kelly. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion
carried.
Mayor Ashmore explained we should keep closed session minutes confidential. A motion was
made by David Bates and 2nd by Dana Laur to keep closed session (executive session) minutes
confidential. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Mayor Ashmore gave his State of the City Address will be posted on the City website.
Agenda Item #1
Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Clint Lance to demolition structures on the
property at 109 W. Lottie Street. Bids were opened by Clerk Stacey: Lappin excavating
$1747.00 and K-5 Construction $1500.00. A motion was made to approve the TIF agreement to
demo structures at 109 W. Lottie Street owned by Clint Lance by the lowest bidder—K-5
Construction for $1500.00 by Carroll Kelly and 2nd by Travis Zettler. All those in attendance
were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Roy Pinkston to demo structures at 504
West Murray Street. Bids were opened by Clerk Stacey: Lappin Excavating for $1330.00 and K-
5 Construction for $1000.00. A motion was made to approve the TIF agreement and approve
using the lowest bidder to demo the structures by Carroll Kelly and 2nd by David Bates. All
those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Mayor Ashmore explained the TIF agreement with Jim Ricci, Owner of JRC Services. A motion
was made by Carroll Kelly and 2nd by David Bates to approve the TIF agreement with Jim Ricci,
owner of JRC Services for the property at 902 Walnut Street for the one time payment of
$15,000.00 thru resolution #1-2017. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.
Motion carried.
Agend Item #2--tabled
Agenda Item #3
Mayor Ashmore talked to council about passing the resolution to work with the Delta Regional
Authority. A motion was made to pass resolution #2-2017 to work with the Delta Regional
Authority by Carroll Kelly and 2nd by David Bates. All those in attendance were in favor of the
motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #5--tabled
Agenda Item #6
Mayor Ashmore explained that he was planning to attend the National League of Cities
Conference in Washington, DC. He asked for reimbursement for part of the costs. Council
decided they would reimburse all of the costs of the hotel lodging and flight. A motion was
made by Travis Zettler and 2nd by Dany Laur to approve the reimbursement of the costs for the
mayor to attend the National League of Cities Conference. All those in attendance were in
favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #5 --tabled
Agenda Item # 6
Mayor Ashmore explained the Vacant Building Ordinance. He explained that the ordinance will
help to alleviate the vacant buildings around town. A motion was made by Rodney Zettler and
2
nd by Travis Zettler to pass the Vacant Building ordinance #9-2016. All those in attendance
were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #7—repeat of #3
Agenda Item #8
Mayor Ashmore explained that the city normally donates to the Giving Tree and we did not do
that in December, and he would like to do that now. A motion was made to approve donating
$100.00 to the Giving Tree by Dana Laur and 2nd by Travis Zettler. All those in attendance were
in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #9
Mayor Ashmore explained that the Opera House board nominations needed to be taken care
of. Mayor Ashmore nominated the following board members: Jason Ashmore, Phyllis Pearson
and Guy Boyd to 2 year terms, Lowanda Johnston and Mike Fleming to 3 year terms and
Rebecca Benedict to the 5 year term. A motion was made to approve these nominations by
Travis Zettler and 2nd by David Bates. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.
Motion carried.
Agenda Item #10
Mayor explained to council that the library was in need of 2 new computers and those were
purchased from Sesser Web Media Group. A motion was made by Dana Laur and 2nd by David
Bates to approve the purchase of 2 new laptops for the cost of $350.00 each for a total cost of
$700.00 from Sesser Web Media Group. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion.
Motion carried.
Agenda Item #11
Mayor Ashmore explained they had an opportunity to trade the old truck and snow plow for a
used/refurbished golf cart. A motion was made to approve this trade by Carroll Kelly and 2nd by
Travis Zettler. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Agenda Item #12
A motion was made by Carroll Kelly and 2nd by Travis Zettler to give final approval for the Mayor
to complete the purchase of the Merkel and Kash properties for the Sewer Project with a
closing date of Jan 27, 2017. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion
carried.
Agenda Item #13
Mayor Ashmore and Jerome Kopec explained the need to purchase a piece of property on Espy
Street for a new lift station. An agreement has been made to purchase a piece of property 20ft
X40 ft from John and Trisha Wingo. The mayor asked for approval to complete the purchase of
the property. A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Travis Zettler to give the mayor
authority to complete the documents for this purchase on behalf of the city.
Agenda Item #14
Mayor Ashmore explained the LED lighting on Main Street, some of the lights had been
switched over for a test to see how we liked them. He said there are grants out there to help us
pay to switch them all. Mayor Ashmore asked for permission to seek out these grants. A
motion was made by Rodney Zettler and 2nd by David Bates to give permission to the Mayor to
seek out grants for the LED lighting on Main Street. All those in attendance were in favor of the
motion. Motion carried.
Mayor Ashmore asked for approval of the bills as presented. A motion was made by Carroll
Kelly and 2nd by David Bates 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 for approval of the treasurer’s report. A motion was made by David
Bates and 2nd by Travis Zettler to approve the treasurer’s report as presented. All those in
attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Mayor Ashmore asked for approval of the police report. A motion was made by Rodney
Zettler and 2nd by David Bates to approve the police report. All those in attendance were in
favor of the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made to approve the Code Inspector’s report by Travis Zettler and 2nd by David
Bates. All those in attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
A motion was made by David Bates and 2nd by Travis Zettler to adjourn at 7:35 PM. All those in
attendance were in favor of the motion. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35 PM.
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