MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
February 17, 2014
The Carmi City Council met Monday, February 17, 2014 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.
Mayor Pollard announced that City Clerk Brian K. Allen was absent due sickness and Deputy City Clerk Don Kittinger was present to fill in as Clerk for the meeting.
Minutes for the February 3, 2014 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.”
January 2014 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 Davis 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 February 2014 were presented for approval. No comments or questions were expressed by Alderman regarding the vendor invoices. Motion by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve and authorize payment of the February 2014 vendor invoices. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked Council to approve the reappointment of Braden Willis III to the Police Commission for a three (3) year term effective January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014. Motion by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Carter to reappoint Braden Willis III to the Police Commission as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then asked Council to approve the reappointment of Mike Thomas to the Police Commission for a three (3) year retroactive term effective January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2013. Motion by Alderman Blake and seconded by Alderman Hays to a retroactive reappointment of Mike Thomas to the Police Commission as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then asked Council to approve the reappointment of Mike Thomas to the Police Commission for a three (3) year term effective January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016. Motion by Alderman Blake and seconded by Alderman Lamont to reappoint Mike Thomas to the Police Commission as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked Council to approve the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract with the City of Carmi for a four (4) year term effective January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2017. No comments or questions were expressed by Alderman concerning the contract. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract with the City of Carmi as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes” and Alderman Hays answering “no.”
Mayor Pollard recommended to Council to table the thirty (30) day notification to terminate contract with airport management, due to budget restraints. Mayor Pollard advised Council that if the notification were to be approved tonight it would leave the Municipal Airport with no management for a short time and it would be better suited for the March 3rd Council Meeting. He advised Council that there were things that needed to be changed in the existing contract and this would allow all parties interested in managing the airport to address the Council. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Carter to table the thirty (30) day notification to terminate contract with airport management until the March 3, 2014 Council Meeting. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard thanked the city crews for their continued efforts in the removal of snow from the city streets and sidewalks. There have been a lot of positive responses from citizens about the “good” job they have been doing.
Mayor Pollard announced that the Light & Water Office has not been able to perform any shut off of utilities, due to the extreme cold weather and they have sent out letters to remind customers to come in and make a payment or make payment arrangements to get current on their utility bills.
Mayor Pollard advised the Council to be thinking about that it may be necessary to pass an ordinance for landlords to be held responsible for their tenant’s final utility bill from the Light & Water Office.
Mayor Pollard noted that there are a lot of final utility bills that have went unpaid from rental properties over the years.
City Supervisor Mike Buckman
Mr. Buckman thanked the Mayor and Council for their approval of the AFSCME contract with the City of Carmi
Mr. Buckman updated that there has been four (4) departments that have completed their inventory lists and some departments will be taking pictures of items on their inventory lists.
Mr. Buckman updated that the manhole flushing has gotten behind, due to the Water Department being shorthanded for several years. The problem has been improved now that there is a “full crew” of Water Department employees. The Water Department foreman has established an improved flushing schedule and will be coordinating the schedule with Mr. Buckman. The flushing procedure consists of running approximately five hundred (500) gallons of water along with sewer aid chemicals in each manhole. The flushing schedule is to run from April until freeing weather hits the area which greatly improves the effectiveness of the sewer lines.
Mayor Pollard added a reminder that citizen’s needs for a city project should be reported to himself, the Light & Water Office or City Supervisor Mike Buckman so that work orders can be written and the problems can be fixed in the shortest possible time.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight reported that work at Bradshaw Park has been started and there will be several improvements completed.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Mr. Steve Norris noted that he has witnessed water leaking at the movie theater. City Supervisor Buckman responded that the water lines had frozen in a restroom. The water line is in the ceiling and has been shutoff and the City Serviceman will drain the water lines as soon as weather warms up. Mr. Norris inquired if there was anyone interested in purchasing the movie theater from the city. Mayor Pollard responded that there has been one person that has expressed interest.
Motion by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Knight to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel and/or property issues with no action to follow. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 5:45 p.m., the Council went into closed session.
Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Headlee to return to open session and adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
At 6:45 p.m., the Council adjourned.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
