City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
March 17th, 2015
The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, March 17th, 2015 at 7:00 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, Kenny Carter, Sheila Jo Headlee, Jack Lamont, Doug Hays and Mike Knight.
Minutes for the March 3rd, 2015 council meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Hays to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
February 2015 Financial Reports were presented. 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.”
March 2015 Vendor Invoices were presented. Motion made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the vendor invoices as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then presented Mr. John Acree with Lamac Engineering to present a report on the IEPA loan application package for the Blue Goose and High Service pump stations. He explained that billing is only to the one thousandth (1,000th) gallon and that the sewer billing program needs to be revamped. He then stated that the city is losing money on the billing and that he believes they can recoup the money monthly for the payment of the loan. Mayor Pollard said that they did not raise the water rates; the consumer is just paying for what they are actually using now. Mr. Acree stated that the meter readers need to read to the exact gallon. He added that he thinks the city will eventually need to raise water and sewer rates as explained by City CPA Keith Botsch. He said that he did not need a council vote tonight only signature from the Mayor on the applications. He then explained that the city is not committing until they sign the construction loan. He said that they will run a water main by the High School on Crebs Ave. and up Ninth St. to help feed the Blue Goose, which will help. The new pump stations will run twelve (12) hours a day and still pump maximum flow. They will also last approximately fifty (50) years.
Mayor Pollard then asked the council to consider rezoning property at 305 S. Church Street as Business (Zone II) for the property owners, Kenneth and Teresa Hargrave. Alderman Winkleman stated that he appreciated everyone coming and voicing their opinion, but he feels obligated to not rezone the property. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Blake to vote on the rezoning of the property. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “no.”
Mayor Pollard next asked the council to consider rezoning property at 403, 405, 407 Plum Street as Business (Zone II) for the property owners, Kenneth and Teresa Hargrave. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Blake to vote on rezoning of the property. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider revising Ordinance No. 1461, Number 2, and Section K to add an additional Golf Cart crossing at Oak and Seventh Streets. Motion made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Carter to revise the Ordinance as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then asked the council to consider Ordinance No. 1484 prohibiting parking on Herbert Ave. and providing penalties for violation of ordinance. Mayor Pollard added that this was for the school busses because they have trouble making that turn with cars parked there. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Headlee to approve the Ordinance as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider Resolution No. 03-17-15 renewing the employee’s safety incentive program for the period April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016. Motion made by Alderman Lamont and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the Resolution as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard commented on the frustration with the trash pickup. He stated that the problem started out when the company moved the driver who had been running the route to another town without training the new employee. He got behind trying to figure out where everyone was located in town and got behind even more with the snow storms. He added that he wanted to apologize to everyone because it was just as frustrating to him as it was to everyone else. City Clerk Brian Allen added that if the truck gets full towards the end of the day that he has to drive out of town at a great distance to empty it. So, if he does not pick up your trash that day, he will be back to get it the next day.
He then said that Holly Healy has been working on finalizing the activities at Burrell’s Woods for the Spring Fling on March 27th and 28th. He wanted to remind the public that the road will be closed going up to the campground on Saturday for all of the children’s activities.
Mayor Pollard stated that a bicentennial meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday April 21st at 5:00 at the council room.
He then wanted to remind everyone that the next council meeting will be on Monday April 6th at 7:00 p.m. due to the election being on Tuesday April 7th. He encouraged everyone to get out and vote.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Hays wanted to commend Officer Moore for all the media attention for his actions in saving the life of a young child who was choking.
Alderman Headlee commented on how nice the girls’ softball field looks at Bradshaw Park.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Citizen Doug Redman asked if any playground equipment was planned in the future for Eckerle Park. Mayor Pollard stated that he is looking at what the city can do there. He explained that he wants to wait until the equipment goes on sale. He noted that he had purchased the playground equipment for Burrell Park campground last year after it went on sale at a greatly reduced price.
Motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 7:31 p.m. the council adjourned.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
