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Gillespie Council moves forward with TIF district, votes to approve skidsteer purchase

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Mayor John Hicks accepts a $4,500 check from Ald. Wendy Rolando, who represented the Darts for Kids program, during Monday night’s meeting of the City Council. The check represented the first donation from the Darts for Kids program, hosted by CeeJo’s Tavern, Gillespie. Proceeds from the darts tournaments are earmarked to benefit children. The first donation was earmarked for the benefit of city parks.

Members of the Gillespie City Council on Monday night voted unanimously to approve ordinances creating the city’s second Tax Increment Financing District, approved a five percent increase in water rates charged to satellite water customers, and approved a controversial purchase of a Bobcat skidsteer along with new tread tracks for the machine.

In separate actions, the council approved three ordinances authorizing the TIF redevelopment project and plan, designating the TIF district boundaries, and setting up the legal mechanism to capture tax revenue increments accruing from the district.

In combination, the ordinances create and authorize the Gillespie TIF District 2 encompassing a substantial area on the city’s north side where scores of vacant residential lots, largely owned by the city and local school district, are located. The new district uses the old Illinois Terminal System railroad right-of-way to connect with an existing TIF district encompassing the downtown business district. It also takes in vacant property on the west side in order to reach and include the Big Brick Park neighborhood.

While the focus of TIF District 1 was to encourage business development, the aim of TIF District 2 is to invest in residential development. The districts generate revenue for the TIF Fund by capturing increases in property tax revenue that accrue after the district is created. The district does not increase property owners’ tax liability but rather redirects increases in tax revenue to future development. Money collected for the TIF Fund can only be spent on projects within the district.

TIF District 2 was the subject of a required public hearing conducted last month. The new district will be in effect for 23 years. TIF District 1 is set to expire in two years.

Council members also voted unanimously to adopt seven separate ordinances to increase water rates charged to satellite customers of the municipal water department. The ordinances impose a five percent rate increase on the City of Benld, and the villages of Sawyerville, Mount Clare, Wilsonville, Dorchester and Lake Ka-Ho, all of whom get their water supply from Gillespie. City Treasurer Dan Fisher said the five percent increase will raise the rate satellite municipalities pay from $4.71 to $4.95 per 1,000 gallons of treated water. Earlier this year, the council increased water rates for Gillespie consumers by five percent. A contractual provision with satellite customers precludes Gillespie from imposing rate increases without first increasing its own rate by the same amount.

BOBCAT PURCHASE

On a motion by Ald. Landon Pettit, the council voted to spend $37,001 to exercise a purchase option on a Bobcat skidsteer currently leased by the city’s maintenance department. Pettit had proposed the purchase last month, but the issue was referred to committee after further discussion. On Monday night, Pettit announced the committee had decided to recommend the purchase at the end of the current lease period.

The equipment was leased primarily to repair damage from the city’s water infrastructure improvement project. Since that project has been completed, however, maintenance workers say they are continuing to use the Bobcat on a regular basis.

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Pettit said the committee recommended buying the equipment and “seeing how it goes” as far as usage. The city could opt to enter into another lease at a later date, at which point the newly purchased Bobcat would be sold back to the company. Pettit said the value of used Bobcats is increasing dramatically. Based on current values, he said the city could realize a profit of $15,000 on its investment by selling the machine down the road.

Mayor John Hicks said the city may even be interested in leasing or buying a larger machine in the future.

City Treasurer Dan Fisher discusses the need for long-term planning at Gillespie Lake.

Also on a motion by Pettit, the council approved the $3,326 purchase of new tracks for the Bobcat from TrackWorks, Highland. Pettit said the purchase of new tracks was necessary regardless of whether or not the council approved the purchase of the machine. TrackWorks’ quote for supplying tracks was about $700 less than buying them from Bobcat.

LAKE ISSUES

Council members voted unanimously to authorize the Lake Committee to proceed with a project to replace a failing sewage holding tank at the city-owned Boat Club property on Gillespie Lake with a septic system. Lake Committee Chair Frank Barrett said the project could cost $10,000 to $20,000.

Ald. Wendy Rolando wanted to know why a septic system would be acceptable when other properties on the lake are required to use holding tanks. Barrett said the soil types around the Boat Club are different from those that exist in the areas where most lake lots are located.

In a related action, the council approved a resolution to codify rules on holding tank installations at the lake. The rules include provisions on specifications for the tanks and a requirement that they are installed by a licensed plumber.

Barrett also announced the committee expects to create another 17 residential lots at Gillespie Lake.

“We have a list of people wanting lots,” he said. Barrett noted there are 42 platted lots on the north side of the lake that remain unused because they are only accessible by boat. Most lot lessees want lots they can drive to.

While not opposing the new lots, Treasurer Fisher reiterated his position that the committee should do more long-term planning before making major changes. The new lots, he said, will create more traffic at the lake and result in more boating on the lake. Such activities could affect water quality or cause the city to incur more expenses for maintenance. He worried about putting too much recreational pressure on a resource that has a primary purpose of providing water.

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Barrett argued the committee did not add lots without taking lake resources into account. “In the 1970s and 80s, there was a heck of a lot more people out there than we have now,” he said.

ARCHITECT HIRING

City aldermen voted unanimously to hire an architect to make recommendations regarding the best use of space vacated by the Fire Department at the Civic Center. Fisher said possible options include moving the Police Department from its current location to the Civic Center to resolve parking issues at the department’s current location on Pine Street. The vacated space also could be used as administrative space for the Maintenance Department. A professional architect, Fisher said, would be able to guide the city regarding the best use of the space and prepare cost estimates for remodeling the space for various uses.

On a motion by Rolando, the council authorized the city to obtain bids from several architects for the council to consider.

WELL WATER ORDINANCE

On the recommendation of Mayor Hicks, the council approved an ordinance banning the use of groundwater as a potable water supply for residences and businesses in the area of the Moto gas station and convenience store on Macoupin Street. Hicks said the new rule is necessary because of contamination created in the area by leaking underground fuel storage tanks. As a result, the use of water wells or capturing groundwater by any other means for drinking water is prohibited within a limited area of the city.

Resident Dave Link addresses the council about concerns with an alleged derelict house, water bill increases, cars and trailers parked on sidewalks, and traffic failing to slow for pedestrians in crosswalks. He cited vehicles parked on sidewalks in the 100 blocks of East and West Wilson streets. “Kids use that sidewalk,” he said. “One of these days, a kid darts out from between cars and gets hit, and you’re going to say, ‘We should have done something’.”

DARTS FOR KIDS

Ald. Rolando presented the city with a check for $4,500 on behalf of the Darts for Kids program hosted by CeeJo’s Tavern. Rolando said the check, designated for city parks, is the first donation to the city from the program, which is dedicated to raising money to benefit local children.

SURPLUS PROPERTY

Mayor Hicks opened bids and the council voted to sell surplus property to the highest bidders. Larry Norville was the higher of two bidders to purchase an air compressor for $575.89. Mike Bertolino’s bid of $2,201.50 far exceeded two other bids for the purchase of a surplus boat and trailer.

OTHER ACTION

No action followed a five-minute executive session to discuss a personnel issue. In other open session action, the council:

  • Approved a supplemental Motor Fuel Tax program proposal increasing the requested appropriation for the annual oil and chip street maintenance program from $250,000 to $350,000. The appropriation is subject to approval by the Illinois Department of Transportation. Treasurer Fisher said increasing the spending authority was recommended because of increasing materials costs. “This doesn’t mean we’re going to spend $350,000,” he said, noting the appropriation only gives the city an additional cushion.
  • Accepted bids of $6,210.55 to add two water main valves at a location near Gilespie High School and $10,000 to replace a water main pipe passing under a bridge on Easton Street from R & K Plumbing, Granite City.
  • Asked the City Attorney to send a registered demand letter to the plumber allegedly responsible for requiring the city to initiate $5,383.87 in repairs to the water line at West Oak and Western streets.
  • Agreed to reimburse a homeowner for $325.72 in repairs incurred for damage related to the installation of a water line that passes under the house.
  • Agreed to spend $1,600 for culverts to replace washed-out culverts at two locations on the recently completed Ethan Fogg Bike Trail at Gillespie Lake.
  • Adopted a resolution naming Michael Hadley of Edward Jones as the city’s representative for deferred compensation investments.
  • Approved a pay resolution in the amount of $34,003.10 to Korte-Luitjohan Contractors, Inc., for improvements to the water treatment plant.
  • Approved a $100 donation to the Gillespie Middle School softball program.

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Madison donates to food pantry and sponsoring toy drive

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Madison employee, Lexy Horton delivered food items to the Staunton Helping Hands Center volunteer Lori Semanik.

During their Employee Appreciation Week celebration in October, the employees at Madison were challenged to donate non-perishable items for the local food pantries as part of a team bonding exercise.

The Madison employees collected a total of 10 milk crates and multiple boxes of food. The items were then divided evenly between the Mt. Olive Care Center, the Bunker Hill Food Pantry, and the Staunton Helping Hands Center. These donations are just a small part of Madison’s commitment to care for the communities that they serve.

Along with donating to the local food pantries, Madison is also sponsoring the Community Hope Center’s Christmas Toy Drive once again. Please help spread the love to a child for Christmas by donating a new and unwrapped toy for girls and boys ages 0-12.

Toys will be accepted anytime until December 6th in their main office lobby located at 21668 Double Arch Road in Staunton.

To learn more about Madison’s services call 800-422-4848 or visit gomadison.com.

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Fifth grade elementary students decorate pumpkins as fundraiser for Project Kid Kare

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The fifth grade at Ben-Gil Elementary recently had a pumpkin decorating contest as a fundraiser to help support Project Kid Kare. The fifth grade students decorated a pumpkin as an activity with their parents during a Parent Involvement Day.

Each of the classes’ pumpkins were displayed on tables. All the students in the school could vote for their favorite table of pumpkins using spare change. The table that received the most money votes, won the contest.

Students were able to vote multiple times for their favorite table using change or $1 bills. The fifth grade students raised a total of $334.37 and donated the proceeds to Project Kid Care. This act of kindness will bring smiles to many faces of the students in school. Project Kid Kare helps students in the CUSD #7 who are unable to purchase school supplies each year.

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Oberkfell claims victory at State Cross Country championship

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Chaz Oberkfell (archived photo/TheBenGilPost.com)

In a stunning display of athletic prowess and determination, Chaz Oberkfell, a junior at Gillespie High School, crossed the finish line first at the 2024 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A State Cross Country Championships, securing his victory with an impressive time and personal best of 14:31.9.

Rounding out the top five was senior Nicolai Martino of Winnebago (14:33.9), senior Gabriel McLain of Benton (14:33.9), sophomore Maxwell Kirby of Peoria Notre Dame (14:47.7), and senior Andrew Kurien of Rockford Christian (14:54.8).

The championship race, held at the scenic Detweiller Park, drew competitors from across the state, all vying for the coveted title. Oberkfell showcased his exceptional talent and training and was in second place before securing the first place spot toward the end of the race.

Oberkfell’s victory is a testament to his relentless dedication and the support of his coaches and teammates. Throughout the season, he has consistently demonstrated remarkable speed and endurance, often finishing races well ahead of his competitors.

The Gillespie community turned out in full force to support the team with many friends, family members, and fellow students cheering the team on Friday morning when the team bus was escorted through town and again on the sidelines Saturday morning. The triumph victory not only highlights Oberkfell’s personal achievements but also brings recognition to Gillespie High School’s cross country program. The team has shown tremendous growth over the past few years, and this victory is a significant milestone.

Also representing Gillespie in the state championship race were Carter Sies (16:59.4), Marshall Garwood (17:03.3), Hank Fletcher (17:15.4), Nolan Hostettler (17:23.9), Matthew Plovich (17:37.4), and Lucca Kapp (17:40.1).

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