City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, July 21st, 2015 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 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, Lane Yearby, Sheila Jo Headlee, Jack Lamont, Doug Hays and Mike Knight.
Minutes for the July 7th, 2015 council meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Davis to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
June 2015 Financial Reports were presented. 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.”
July 2015 Vendor Invoices were presented. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve the vendor invoices as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to evaluate the submitted bids for roof replacement at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Alderman Headlee stated that thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) is budgeted for the roof replacement. Tie-On Roofing has fixed the flashing on the adjoining wall and that has helped with the leaking. Alderman Blake commented that when the wall freezes and thaws during the winter is its main problem. Motion made by Alderman Blake and seconded by Alderman Davis to approve Tie-On Roofing for option two (2); thirty five thousand dollars ($35,000) plus nine thousand dollars ($9,000) to fix the adjoining wall. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then presented representatives from the University of Illinois Extension office to address the council and request approval to lease the flood buyout lot at 603 East Main Street for a 4H Gift Garden project to start in 2016. They stated that there is a Gift Garden in McLeansboro that is in its fourth successful summer. It is used by kids to help them learn about growing a garden, healthy eating, cooking and business. Mayor Pollard stated that he has met with them previously and has had the city attorney finalize the lease contract. He added that the property is the lot where Egbert’s house stood on Main Street in East Carmi. The Gift Garden also meets all of the requirements for FEMA. They added that the garden will feature raised beds with mulch. There are also fifty six (56) kids involved in McLeansboro. Alderman Hays commented that he liked the idea because they cannot do anything else with the ground. They would like the city to provide water and electricity as well. The improvements to the property would be done by the University of Illinois Extension Giving Garden. They also track their produce that is grown from the garden. They will install the fence around the property at their expense through grants. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the Giving Garden pending contract approval from the city attorney. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard wanted to remind the public that the city has certain routes for the public to use on their golf carts. Therefore, driving on the sidewalk and cutting through private property for a short cut is not allowed. There are fines against this, so please obey the ordinance.
He stated he also noticed some comments on Facebook about properties that need to be cleaned up. He wanted to assure the public that they are sending out letters and issuing tickets. Along with Sandra Irvine he is working on trying to put together an area wide clean-up day that hopefully helps with some of these issues.
Lastly the flood buy-out property will be put up for bid to be mowed in the next couple of weeks. Any property that needs to be mowed right now, just call the office and they will send the city crew out to mow until the bidding is completed.
City Clerk Brian Allen announced to the public that anyone going door to door selling must have a peddlers permit. He expressed for citizens to ask for Peddler’s Permits from solicitors and if they did not have a permit to call the Carmi Police.
Mayor Pollard then added that October 23rd thru 24th will be the Halloween Weekend at Burrell’s Woods.
Police Chief Jason Carter stated that there is a zero tolerance for the golf cart ordinance. He added that he is done with teenagers vandalizing the parks and that he will be issuing tickets and making arrests.
Reports from Standing Committees
None
Business or Comments from Visitors
Citizen Debbie Bunting asked about the theatre. Mayor Pollard stated that he is working on it through the Bicentennial Committee.
Motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Davis to go into closed session to discuss personnel issues with action to follow. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 6:09 p.m. the council went into closed session.
Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Blake to return to open session. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 7:38 p.m. the council returned to open session.
Motion made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to not hire an assistant foreman and to not re-bid as an operator position. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Davis to adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 7:40 p.m. the council adjourned.