Landowner pitches development of hotel on his land as city awaits hotel feasibility study results

GIBSON CITY — The Gibson City Council heard a preliminary pitch last week from Imir Ballazhi, who said he is exploring the possibility of building a hotel on land he owns next to the Country Kettle restaurant.

Attending the council’s Nov. 24 meeting as a visitor, Ballazhi told aldermen that he heard about the city’s involvement in a feasibility study for a possible hotel in Gibson City and wanted the council to be aware that he was already considering building one himself.

“This is just a preliminary visit,” Ballazhi told the council.

“I own the land next to the Country Kettle,” Ballazhi said, “so we were thinking about bringing in our own (hotel), instead of a franchise.”

Alderman Terry Roesch said that once the results of the 30-day feasibility study are known, “then we can consider all our options.” Alderman Randy Wyant encouraged Ballazhi to contact City Hall to arrange for the topic to be listed on the agenda for the next meeting on Monday, Dec. 8.

Alderman Sarah Sarantakos questioned whether Cobblestone Hotel & Suites — which has been brought up as one potential hotel brand that the city could perhaps attract — should be the only option considered.

“Cobblestone has an interest guarantee if the study is favorable,” she said, “but these people (Ballazhi) have a sure thing — when, starting in March?”

“It’s possible we could start in March,” Ballazhi replied. “I will get on the agenda for next time.”

Tax levy ordinance passed after increase voted down

Also during the meeting, City Attorney Marc Miller outlined this year’s proposed property tax levy ordinance, explaining that the city has not increased its levy in the past decade. Miller said that Mayor Dan Dickey, who was not present at the meeting, requested that Miller present two versions of the tax levy this year — one maintaining the current levy and one increasing it by 3%.

Miller said the increase would generate about $10,000 in new revenue from all taxable properties.

“As a percentage of your budget, this doesn’t amount to very much money,” Miller told aldermen. “You could do more than 3%, but that is what I recommend.”

Most aldermen did not want to raise the tax levy.

“Keep it like it is,” Wyant said.

Added Roesch: “Don’t raise it. We have already hit people for enough already. This won’t make them very happy.”

Alderman Ray Hankes was more agreeable to raising the levy, motioning for approval of a 3% increase. Sarantakos seconded Hankes’ motion.

“Our expenses here at the city have gone up, and we are facing what everyone else is facing,” Sarantakos argued. “Considering we haven’t raised taxes in over a decade, I don’t think it would be unfair. It would be $5 to $10 per person — a small amount — but it would give us $10,000 more.”

After Hankes’ motion to raise the levy failed 2-5 — with Hankes and Sarantakos casting the only “yes” votes — a followup motion to keep the levy unchanged was approved 6–1, with Sarantakos casting the sole dissenting vote.

Engineering contracts and repairs approved for city’s wastewater plant

Superintendent of Wastewater John Bobera presented two task orders from Donahue & Associates for approval — one raising by $5,000 the cost to correct a drainage problem at 7th and Guthrie streets, the other raising the fees charged for a review of plans for growth and development at the Raiside Estates subdivision, from $17,300 to $21,800.

Bobera also requested approval of two infrastructure repairs. Bobera said the Jordan lift station needs an electrical upgrade, as the current system is obsolete, and he found a contractor willing to do the job for $20,000. He also requested permission to pay up to $12,000 for the repair of a broken check valve on one of the city’s three sewage plant pumps.

All of the costs were already included in the sewer department’s budget and were approved by the council unanimously.

Zoning variance granted for Melvin Street property

Marty Nuss, chairman of the city’s zoning board of appeals, presented a request from Jim Enghausen for a variance to allow him to build a second detached garage behind his home at 316 N. Melvin St., where the existing one-car garage cannot accommodate his pickup truck, Nuss said. The zoning board previously recommended approval.

A variance is required because zoning rules permit no more than one detached accessory structure per property. Nuss said there were no objections from neighbors.

“He has a block and a half, and he is using less than half of the square-footage he’s allowed to build on,” Nuss noted.

Nuss said he had also spoke with Superintendent of Streets and Water Tyler Martin, who had no concerns with the request.

The council approved the variance unanimously.

Other business

The council approved the same holiday pay bonuses for city employees as it did last year — $150 for full-time employees and $75 for part-time staff — to be funded by each department’s budget and paid in Gibson Bucks gift certificates.

In her administrative report, City Administrative Assistant Meg Fairchild said the “Christmas Comes Early” local holiday shopping promotion — whereby shoppers can spend $100, then take their receipt to City Hall and get $100 in Gibson Bucks gift certificates — is gaining traction. The program is limited to one matching purchase per household and ends when available funds run out, according to the city’s social media post, where more details can be found.

Fairchild said the city’s new payment processor for city utility bills is now live. ACH bank payments are free, while credit or debit transactions carry a 2.35% fee, she said. Users may also set up automatic payments.

Fairchild said $410,279 was the balance in the fund that collects revenue from the city’s 1% sales tax for its soon-to-be-built new public swimming pool. n The council approved the payment of general fund bills totaling $166,728, TIF II bills totaling $763,379, TIF III bills totaling $18,725, TIF IV bills totaling $414 and Downtown TIF bills totaling $8,555.

Wyant served as mayor pro tem in the mayor’s absence.