MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
November 18, 2013
The Carmi City Council met Monday, November 18, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street, Carmi, Illinois.
Prior to opening the Council meeting, Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Steve 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, Kenny Carter, Sheila Jo Headlee, Doug Hays, Jack Lamont and Mike Knight.
Minutes for the November 4, 2013 Council meeting were presented. A motion was made by Alderman Lamont and seconded by Alderman Hays to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
October 2013 financial reports for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light and Water Departments were presented for approval. Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the financial reports as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light & Water Departments payable in November 2013 were presented for approval. No comments or questions were expressed by Alderman regarding the vendor invoices. Motion by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve and authorize payment of the November 2013 vendor invoices. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard introduced Mr. Alex Burton of Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc. to address the Council with a proposal for the City of Carmi’s risk management insurance. Mr. Burton stated the following:
- Arthur J. Gallagher is an insurance brokerage firm located in Itasca, Illinois, founded in 1927 and is the largest public entity broker in the United States.
- Deductible amounts are a first dollar program; the IML’s is a pool product. This allows the client to adjust the deductibles to their needs.
- BRIT insurance is a public entity carrier for liability insurance and Illinois Public Risk Fund is the workers compensation carrier.
- Illinois Public Risk Fund has a grant program up to 10% of premiums that after one (1) year of enrollment gives money back as a grant to be used for anything the city would need.
- Flood zone A coverage is available through NFIP upon request.
- Auto Liability coverage through BRIT would increase from $100,000/$300,000 to $1,000,000/$1,000,000 uninsured/underinsured limits.
- Employment Practices Liability would increase from $2.5 million to $8 million per occurrence.
- The guaranteed premium would be $286,742 versus the IML offering an option to participate in the minimum/maximum program with a premium of $371,021; with the understanding the City could pay up to $561,050 in additional premiums.
- Premium can be paid in bi-annual payments or as a lump sum with no extra fees incurred.
- City currently paying $16,228 for boiler & machinery coverage that is not covered by IML, but would be included in the premium for Gallagher.
- The total savings to the City of Carmi would be $145,079 for the 2014 premiums.
- Goal is to reduce premium cost, increase service and coverage for the City of Carmi.
- Gallagher’s brokerage fee is $32,000 or 14% commission for 2014 premium cost and is included in the annual premium of $286,742.
- Team Training Platform is included for free and normally would be at a cost of $30,000 annually.
- Plan is reevaluated every year and could decrease or increase depend on losses and exposures.
- Renewal Plan Strategy implemented every six (6) months after the effective date and then the plan is reevaluated.
Alderman Lamont questioned City Clerk Brian Allen if he had collected reference information from other clients of Gallagher. Clerk Allen responded that he had contacted five (5) other municipalities for references; all had high regards for Gallagher’s products and services. Alderman Winkleman questioned if there were any agents close to Carmi. Mr. Burton responded that there soon would be agents in Effingham and the next closest office was in St. Louis, Missouri. When a claim arises BRIT would use a local agent and a local attorney.
Mayor Pollard introduced Jason Nieman of Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association to address the Council with a proposal for retaining the Illinois Municipal League as the City of Carmi’s risk management insurance. Mr. Nieman stated the following:
- Carmi has been with the Illinois Municipal League since 1981
- IML’s core strength is that it is a non for profit organization and its sole responsibility is to municipalities.
- Lower deductibles than their competitors and not trading dollars for dollars for lower premium cost.
- Flood zone A coverage is comparable to competition.
- Most clients that leave the IML it is due to pricing and not service, believes the IML is better at service than any other competitor.
- City of Carmi had considerable workers compensation losses in 2008 and 2009.
- No payroll audit cost at the end of the year.
- Has $4.5 million in surplus to cover claims and operating cost.
- Have 750 municipality customers
- Premium $371,021 with Minimum/Maximum contribution with a possible premium of $540,279.
Mayor Pollard presented to Council the promotion of Sargent Jason Carter to (Deputy) Chief of Police in training for the City of Carmi Police Department to be effective on June 7, 2014. No comments or questions were expressed by Alderman regarding the promotion. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Davis to approve the promotion of Sargent Jason Carter to (Deputy) Chief of Police in training for the City of Carmi Police Department. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented to Council for approval the Christmas bonuses for city employees to be paid out of Carmi Light & Water — $60.00 plus $5.00 per year longevity for full-time employees and a flat $60.00 for part-time employees, firemen and EMA members to be paid out of Carmi Light & Water also. No comments or questions were expressed by Alderman regarding bonuses. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve the Christmas bonuses for employees. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard gave notice that at Burrell Park the shower house and restrooms will be closed for the winter, but the park will be open to the public
The Mayor reminded the Council and public that the Carmi Chamber of Commerce would be having its annual tree lighting ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on Friday, November 22nd at 6:00 p.m…
The Mayor also reminded the Council and public that there would be another meeting to be held at City of Carmi Council Room on January 13th at 6:00 p.m. to plan for the upcoming City of Carmi Bicentennial Celebration and that everyone was welcome to attend.
The Mayor notified the Council that in the near future consideration needs to be given to installing a ramp at the front of the Light & Water offices for those people that have difficulty going up and down the stairs, from his office he can see people struggling with the use of the stairs on a daily basis
The Mayor notified the Council that he had received a letter from New Wave Cable Company announcing their new pricing for the upcoming year. The new pricing for their services will be $24.99 for basic, $65.99 for basic plus expanded, $4.59 for broadcasting surcharge and high speed internet will increase by $1.00.
Chief of Police Randy Hamblin
Carmi Chief of Police Randy Hamblin introduced new full-time City of Carmi Police Officers David Beam and David Agee. Officer Beam is a Carmi native, 26 years old and graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice, a minor in Forensic Science/Political Science, was an SIU Saluki Security Patrol Officer and interned with the Illinois State Police in District 13. Officer Beam started as a part-time officer for the City of Carmi in July of 2013. Officer Agee is an Enfield native, graduated in 2001 from NCOE high school, joined the National Guard his junior year and served service time in Germany, Spain and Iraq and has a Bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University in Criminal Justice. Officer Agee started as a part-time officer for the City of Carmi in August of 2013. Officer Beam and Officer Agee have been doing a wonderful job as part-time officers and their success will no doubt continue as full-time officers.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Hays noted that the FOP contract has arrived and finalized from the City of Carmi’s negotiating attorneys.
Alderman Headlee commented she had received a call concerning storm shelter coverage for citizens that did not have a place to go during a storm. She had advised the caller to check with local churches and that the basement of the City Offices is always available to anyone in need of shelter. Mayor Pollard commented that the local EMA is working on getting some designated locations to use as shelters in a storm situation. Alderman Headlee gave a thank you to all the City of Carmi Foreman for watching their budgets in the last ten (10) months. Alderman Headlee noted that City side revenues are up and are over $160,300, expenditures are under $250,042; city/county jail has come in under budget of $220,000, Light & Water side revenue is down $650,000 and that is due to the mild summer locally, Sewer Department operating expenses are under budget of $1,454.00, water Department operating expenses are under budget of $20,000 and complimented City Supervisor Mike Buckman for the wonderful job he is doing.
Alderman Winkleman thanked Mr. Burton and Mr. Nieman for their time and presentation to the Council concerning the City of Carmi’s risk management insurance. Alderman Winkleman noted that all the years he has served as Alderman there has never been a presentation to the Council concerning the risk management insurance.
Alderman Blake noted he has received several phone calls concerning tree branches that are blocking the view of the stop sign and flashing stop light on Beck Street and the branches need to be trimmed.
Alderman Davis noted that Abelson Drive flooded on the curve and a road closed sign needed to be placed there to help drivers to identify the flooded area.
City Supervisor Mike Buckman
Supervisor Buckman gave the following information:
The time and price for services being restored after being cut-off will be up to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, to restore services a charge of $15.75 is implemented during office hours and a charge of $31.50 is implemented after business hours until 8:00 p.m.…
There will be a road closure and boil order at James Avenue this week, due to a sewer line blockage which the city has hired Kieffer Brothers to do the digging and apologize to the residents for the inconvenience.
Sidewalk repairs are still being completed; currently the crew is working on the sidewalk in front of Stendeback Funeral Home.
There have been several drain culverts installed in the past few weeks, Lagoon Drive, 12th Street, Sunnybrook; the citizen purchases the culvert and the City installs it at no charge.
A water line on the west side of industrial park will be installed starting in the next couple of weeks.
Ditches on 9th Street have been cleaned out.
Property easements for the project at Roser Drive are starting to come into the City offices and as soon as they are all received that project will be started.
The Light Plant computer system is in the process of being upgraded by Marshall Electric, Coston Electrical Engineering and City Electrician Jeff Vaupel along with retired City employee Dallas Nelson who has been gracious enough to come in on a part-time basis to help out with the implementation of the new computer system.
O’Daniels is repairing the road at Haley Drive.
A new system for work orders is being put into place. There are five (5) departments with each having a slot for work orders in, work orders out and work orders to be on hold. This will allow Supervisor Buckman the ability to see, sign off on and have more control over each work order that is created.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Cathy Sell a resident at 125 6th Street asked the council to create an ordinance governing the use of wood burning stoves for heating homes. Mrs. Sell commented she has no problem with someone using a wood burner for heat, but currently her neighbor has a wood burning stove placed in their garage to heat the home and the smoke from that burner is entering her home which is causing herself, granddaughter and her pet health issues. Mrs. Sell believes the problem is due to the smoke stack being too short and too close to her house. Mrs. Sell has spoken with the EPA and the state agencies; the only recommendation from them is to address her local government. Alderman Winkleman suggested that we discuss the matter with City attorney Greg Stewart.
Motion by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Davis 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