MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
May 19th, 2015
The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, May 19th, 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, Lance Yearby, Sheila Jo Headlee, Jack Lamont, Doug Hays and Mike Knight.
Minutes for the May 5th, 2015 council meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Knight to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
April 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.”
May 2015 Vendor Invoices were presented. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the vendor invoices as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider the re-appointment of Keith Hoskins as Trustee on the Police Pension Fund Board for a two (2) year term effective 6-1-15 to 5-31-17. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then asked the council to consider a Resolution to appropriate $155,000 of Motor Fuel Tax funds for the reconstruction of Burrell Street. Motion made by Alderman Lamont and seconded by Alderman Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes” with the exception of Alderman Yearby voting “stand.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider Mrs. Dee Blazier’s, of Stewart Street Baptist Church request to close a portion of Hillsdale Drive from Stewart Street to Smith Street on Saturday July 11, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for vacation bible school signup. Motion made by Alderman Lamont and seconded by Alderman Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then asked the council to consider The Carmi Public Library’s request to close Slocumb Street from Main Street to Robinson Street on Sunday June 28, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p. m for their 100th birthday celebration. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard wanted to personally apologize to the kids and the parents who were scheduled to play on the girl’s Mustang Field on opening day. He said that he was under the impression that the work on the field had been completed; that extra dirt had been applied, it had been drug and striped and it was ready to play. He wanted to assure everyone that the city is in the process of correcting the problem at hand. He has spoken with Brent Edwards about getting the proper dirt applied to the field and with Randy Knight who is working with the teams to schedule the games on another field until the Mustang Field is ready to play on.
He then reminded the public that the city has an ordinance against blowing grass and yard clippings in the street which you can be ticketed for. Also, the public needs to remember to get permits for fencing, pools, and buildings. He added that the city’s attorney has looked at the trailer ordinance which states that anything brought in on wheels has to have a permit and a public hearing. He said that they have always been under the impression that this was only for single wide trailers. After city attorney Greg Stewart looked at the wording closely, he has determined that it includes double wide’s and modular homes.
Mayor Pollard then discussed something that the council needs to consider for the next meeting. He stated that the city has been turned down on the grant to fix the tennis courts at Bradshaw Park. Sandra Irvine has been in contact with a company to repair the tennis court at the cost of eighteen thousand dollars ($18,000). He asked the council if they want to try and come up with the money to repair the courts themselves or try to get some donations to help. The school has informed the city that the money they raise just barely covers their cost for traveling, etc. If the courts are not fixed by August the tennis team will not be able to host any traveling tournaments.
Lastly, he said that City Supervisor Mike Buckman would like to meet with the chairman and co-chairman in each department over the next few weeks to discuss policies and procedures.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight said that he was under the impression that ball field #7 was ready for opening day as well. He also commented on the quickness of restoring power to the city after a cat got into a transformer.
Alderman Lamont stated that the council needs to decide what to do with the FEMA lots; mow them or spray them.
Alderman Yearby said that he has some ideas about what can be done at the power plant and in his ward he recently met with Alderman Davis to discuss ideas in their ward.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Citizen Bruce York informed the council that he has a problem with a house that needs to be torn down on 6th Street. Mayor Pollard said that he has been in contact with the owner and that he will ask Jeff Guisewite how much it would cost to tear down. Mayor Pollard stated that he and Mike Buckman would go and look at the property.
Motion was made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Headlee to adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 5:42 p.m. the council adjourned.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
