MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
December 2, 2013
The Carmi City Council met Monday, December 2, 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 followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Keith Davis, Kenny Carter, Mike Knight, Doug Hays, Jack Lamont and Sheila Jo Headlee.
Minutes for the November 18, 2013 council meeting were presented. A motion was made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard introduced for Council approval to retain the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management Association or to accept the proposal of Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc. for the City of Carmi’s risk management insurance services. Alderman Hays noted that he had spoken with Jason Nieman of the IMLRMA after the last meeting and Mr. Nieman told him that they had competed against Gallagher in the past and this was the largest difference in premium that they had encountered to date and he understood if the Council was to switch insurance carriers. Mr. Hays also noted that according to Mr. Nieman if Gallagher’s premiums became too high or the service was not acceptable the IMLRMA would gladly accept the City of Carmi back as a client. Alderman Lamont questioned City Clerk Brian K. Allen if all references for Gallagher were favorable. Clerk Allen responded that “yes” all references were very favorable in all areas for Gallagher. Alderman Carter noted that he had gone over the proposal from Gallagher and saw no discrepancies and for the difference in premium it was an easy decision for him to accept Gallagher’s proposal. Alderman Headlee commented that the County has been a client of Gallagher’s for a while and the Payroll Department needs to make sure they separate the Police Department’s regular pay and overtime pay as not to get hit with a penalty during the year end workers compensation audit. Alderman Headlee also noted that Gallagher offers a once a year public safety grant to be used on safety equipment. A motion by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to accept the proposal from Arthur J. Gallagher, Inc. as the City of Carmi’s risk management insurance provider. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
Report and/or Updates from Mayor Pollard
Street and Alley Department will be placing the new one-way street signs on 7th Street and replacing the old one-way street signs in all the other areas this week
Reminder to the public that the Water Department would be flushing hydrants during the day time hours.
The shower house and bath rooms are closed at Burrell Woods, but there are still a few campers that are using the campground.
Mayor Pollard notified the Council that there needs to be a discussion concerning the pond at Burrell Woods. He has been approached by an organization that would like to stock the pond, but unfortunately the pond is not deep enough and believes if the ditch were to be re-routed, the pond could be drained and dredged to make it deeper. The only drawback would be that it would need to be drained now; do the dredging this summer and the pond would not be ready for use until the end of summer.
There is a ballot box in the Light & Water office for anyone that wants to cast a vote for employee of the year.
Report from City Supervisor Mike Buckman
City Supervisor Buckman will be attending a management training course in Effingham on Tuesday, December 10th. The course will highlight dealing with time management, handling employees, handling the public and getting work completed.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Hays gave notice that in the month of January, 2014 the Council would need to address the Police Department fleet. In the past two years they have purchased cars and he has been looking at the Chevrolet Tahoe’s and four door trucks. The price of the Tahoe and truck is cheaper than the car’s. They would be special service police unit’s with available side crash boxes.
Alderman Winkleman questioned if the truck was purchased for the Meter Readers. Alderman Davis replied that it was purchased and was already in service.
Business or Comments from Visitor
None
Motion Made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Knight to adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
At 5:48 p.m. council adjourned.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
