City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, July 7th, 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 June 16, 2015 council meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider Special Use Mobile Home Permit No. MH-15.01 request by John Emery for a 2015 48 foot by 28 foot double wide at 305 South Church Street. Motion made by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Knight to approve the Special use Mobile Home Permit as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then presented John Acree with Lamac Engineering to update Council on completed and current projects. He stated that the new road project at the Industrial Park is essentially completed. Any excess IDOT funds must be returned and any excess funds from EDA can be used for projects. The project must be pre-approved and EDA will pay seventy-two (72) percent with the city paying twenty-eight (28) percent. Mayor Pollard stated that he has a map to show a road that would dead end between the new road and Gillard’s True Value. This road would be four hundred foot and cost around two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000). Mayor Pollard than asked if they have ever heard anything about the Blue Goose. Mr. Acree stated that the permit has been received for the high volume pump station. He added that there is no issue; he is just waiting on someone with the EPA. He added that re-routing sewer around Bohleber’s building will have to wait on better weather. The Burrell Street project has been moved to September because of property issues and will not likely get started until next year. MFT projects are finished and cleaned up. Mayor Pollard stated that the city can take twenty-eight (28) percent of funds out of TIF fund to help improve the Industrial Park even more. Alderman Knight asked about the Jumpin’ Jimmy’s drainage problem. Mr. Acree stated that it needs to be approved by the state because it is on the highway.
Mayor Pollard presented Keith Botsch, City CPA and Auditor for the City of Carmi to present the 2014 Annual Audit and Financial Report for the fiscal year ending 12-31-2014. Mr. Botsch stated that the city’s governmental funds are three million eight hundred and fifty nine thousand three hundred and fifty five dollars ($3,859,355). There is an excess revenues over expenditures of thirty thousand nine hundred and eighty eight dollars ($30,988) with the overall balance of fifty five thousand five hundred and fourteen dollars ($55,514). The Police Pension Fund has a deficit of forty four thousand six hundred and fifty dollars (44,650). The bonds have a debt of four million three hundred and forty thousand dollars ($4,340,000). Mr. Botsch explained the budget vs. actual on page 49 of the report. He then explained the expenditures of each department and added that the Police Department was under budget. Page 51 of the report included the Fire, EMA, and Streets and Roads Departments. Then, page 52 included the City Garage, Welding, Culture and Recreation (Parks Department), and Trash. Page 53 included the Economic Development and Public Works (airport). The city ended with an excess of thirty thousand nine hundred and eighty eight thousand dollars ($30,988). The Library had an excess of two thousand six hundred and eighty one dollars ($2,681). The Light Department, Water Department, and Sewer Department were discussed on page 58 of the report. Mr. Botsch then discussed the operative activities which totaled one hundred seventy six thousand two hundred and two dollars ($176,202). There was a bank overdraft of four thousand two hundred and twenty seven dollars ($4,227) at the end of the year. He concluded that the council needs to figure out how much tax levy they want to do in November.
Mayor Pollard then presented David Coston, City Electrical Engineer to present for discussion and possible approval of the Net Metering Policy for the City of Carmi. Mr. Coston explained that there is an organization through IMEA called IMUA, or the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association. Net metering is excess electrical that is sent back to the city. An example of this is solar power. This addresses issues of excess renewable energy and maintenance of infrastructure. This limits how much energy each home owner can produce. Anything over ten thousand kilowatts will be on a case by case basis. There is currently no citizen in Carmi that has solar power. Motion made by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve the Net Metering Policy as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard wanted to thank the Lion’s Club and everyone who participated in the Car Show on the Fourth of July. They had a great turn out from the entries to the public that attended. He also wanted to thank Holly Healy and the Chamber of Commerce for all of their hard work putting together the fireworks show. He wanted to thank all of the officers who helped keep all of the events safe and fun for the public as well.
He stated that the entire Flood Plain Property has been demolished, cleaned up and grass has been sown. The city will be putting them up for bid to be mowed in the next few weeks.
Mayor Pollard added that he is in the process of looking for some entertainment to perform at Burrell’s Woods like last year. If any of the bands that performed last year or any new bands are interested, they need to contact him at 382-8118. He added that he and Holly Healy are starting to work on the Halloween events at Burrell’s Woods, so they should have more information at a later date.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight wanted to congratulate the Carmi Summer Recreation League and Parks Department. He wanted to inform everyone that the county voted in June to do away with 9 precincts and that Carmi is 17th precinct now.
Alderman Headlee stated that 911 board had a meeting with the fire department about upgrading their software. This will include a cell phone page system. The additional cost is split out to two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) each between all of the departments.
Alderman Winkleman stated that the 100th anniversary for the Library was a success and wanted to thank the city for its help. He added that the Library has a 100 year old desk that they have no space for and would like to know if anyone would like to have it.
Alderman Yearby said that he needs three (3) more chairs in the lobby for the airport. He added that there will be an airport airshow again in the near future. Mayor Pollard commented that they will be redoing the upstairs as soon as possible.
Business or Comments from Visitors
None
Motion was made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Hays to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing property and personnel issues with action to follow. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 6:19 p.m. council went into closed session.
Motion made by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Yearby to return to open session. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
At 8:16 p.m. the council returned to open session.
Motion made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to hire Kelly Catlin as the foreman of the Parks & Cemetery Department. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Motion made by Alderman Lamont and seconded by Alderman Hays to hire Brad Attebury as the Assistant Foreman in the Street & Alley Department. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Headlee to adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 8:18 p.m. the council adjourned.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
