City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, August 4th, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street.
Prior to opening the council meeting, Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Winkleman to give the invocation. The prayer was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Keith Davis, Lance Yearby, Sheila Jo Headlee, Jack Lamont, Doug Hays and Mike Knight.
Minutes for the July 21st, 2015 council meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Hays to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard wanted to take a couple of minutes to address a couple of issues. He stated that the city has been having some problems with the boat ramp behind the light and water plant. He is letting the public know that it is closed because it is hazardous. If people want to fish, they can use the boat ramp located on the south end of the bridge.
Mayor Pollard then informed the council that the city crew is fixing a drainage issue at Elastec and they are replacing a drain and culvert. While they are tearing out the old concrete to fix the problem, Elastec asked if the city would go ahead and repair the whole area. Carmi’s policy has always been if the city crew is working in an area and tearing out and replacing concrete, the city will tear out, form everything up and the customer pays for the concrete. So, with that being said, Elastec is paying for the concrete not the city.
He added that with the recent notification that there are mosquitos contracting the West Nile disease, the city has been spraying twice a week but until property owners step up and start mowing, weed eating, and removing junk and standing water, they city is fighting a losing battle..
He then commented that the recent criminal activity that took place this weekend at Bradshaw Park saddens him. It is a shame that the city offers nice areas for the young people and they either vandalize or get violent in these areas. If this continues, the council may need to consider adding an ordinance establishing curfews at the parks and adding additional security cameras. Police Chief Jason Carter stated that Burrell’s Woods cameras are working great and would love the see them at Bradshaw Park.
Mayor Pollard stated that on Monday, August 31st at 9:00 a.m. the city will start taking reservations for the Halloween celebration at Burrell’s Woods. They can make reservations by calling Holly Healy at the Carmi Chamber of Commerce office at (618) 382-7606.
He stated that he hopes everyone enjoys the fair and all of their activities this week. Mayor Pollard then shared a Thank You letter from Fred L. Smith for the great job the mayor and council do on the budget.
Mayor Pollard wanted the council to consider adding new security cameras at Bradshaw Park. There is twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) budgeted in parks and thirty eight thousand five hundred dollars ($38,500) budgeted in Burrell Park to pay for a camera system at Bradshaw Park.
He also wanted the council to start considering putting the Newton Wire and Cable Building up for bid to get rid of it.
Supervisor Mike Buckman then gave a report on the projects going on around town. He stated that they will be repairing a water leak at Epworth Road and St. Louis Street in East Carmi starting Thursday August 6th. He wanted to thank the council for the employee changes, as they are getting work done promptly and professionally. The sewer crews are smoking the sewer lines and have found many citizens sewer cleanouts are missing caps, the sewer crew are replacing the caps as they find them missing. In the water department, long waiting water services are being connected as well as replacing several fire hydrants that have been neglected. Grass seeding and rut repairs took place today. He stated that there is a long list of things to do in the near future; street repairs, ditch cleaning, culvert replacement, bushes and trees to be cut, storm drain repair, electrical upgrades, flushing sewer lines, manhole repair and replacement.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Lamont asked about the sign for the new Industrial Drive. Supervisor Buckman says that IDOT is getting them. He added that on August 8th, the Fire Department will know if the city gets the grant for the rescue truck.
Alderman Winkleman then asked about the drainage on Industrial Drive. Supervisor Buckman stated that the problem is not the new addition to Industrial Drive it is a problem that has existed since the first construction of Industrial Drive. The city is meeting with property owners to get permission to correct the drainage issues.
Alderman Davis informed the council that he will be having surgery and will not be at the next meeting.
Alderman Yearby discussed the boat ramp issue. He got in contact with the Army Corps of Engineers and they have to first figure out who is going to pay for the repairs, the State or the City. The State needs to see if there are any mussels that are protected. Mayor Pollard stated that the boat ramp is gone and cannot be used at this time. Alderman Yearby added that they need a tug to move aircraft at the airport and he is in the process to locate one.
Business or Comments from Visitors
None
Motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Hays to go into closed session for the purpose of discuss litigation with no action to follow. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 5:59 p.m. council went into closed session.
Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Blake to return to open session. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
At 6:38 p.m. the council returned to open session.
Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Blake to adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 6:38 p.m. the council adjourned.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor