The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building located at 225 East Main Street, Carmi, IL for the regularly scheduled meeting.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Alderperson present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Tracy Nelson, Lacey Bradshaw, Jeremy Courson, Mike Knight, and Sheila Headlee. Absent: Doug Hays.
The minutes from the April 2, 2024 council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderperson Courson and seconded by Alderperson Bradshaw to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
The March 2024 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments were presented for approval. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve the Financial Reports with a second by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
The vendor invoices for April 2024 were presented for authorization and approval for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the vendor invoices for April 2024 with a second by Alderperson Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval
a) Review and possible approval of fuel bids. The City of Carmi put out bid notifications on February 6, 2024 for on-road diesel, off-road diesel, and gasoline including all the necessary equipment to dispense fuel as well as software. Two bids were received: Country Mark and FS. Country Mark’s fix rate gasoline was $3.1337, fix price on-road diesel $3.5336, and fix price off-road diesel was 3.0156. FS fix rate gasoline was $3.11, fix price on-road diesel $3.586 and fix rate off-road diesel was $3.061. After reviewing the bids, Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to continue with FS with the fixed rate. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
b) Pay Request to Brown and Roberts for Rebuild Illinois Grant Engineering for $99,828.28 was presented for approval. The motion was made by Alderperson Headlee to approve the above pay request. Alderperson Winkleman seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering yes.
c) Brown and Roberts Grant Administration Engineering Invoice for $8,500.00. This is for the Hillsdale area, a pressure reducer station on Burrell Street and repainting/repair of the west water tower. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve the $8,500.00 invoice for Brown and Roberts. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
d) Consider bids for Hwy 11-1000E – watermain replacement using NEU funds. Bids were received from Wiggs Excavating $112,394.00, Kiefer Bros. $171,091.00 and Groundworks for $251,989.00. After a brief discussion, Alderperson Blake made a motion to go with the Wiggs Excavating bid at $112,394.00 for the watermain replacement project. Alderperson Winkleman seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
e) Patrick Scates was introduced by Mayor Pollard to discuss Farm to Table. Mr. Scates stated he was requesting permission to hold the Farm to Table event on Thursday, October 10,
2024 at North Main Cross Street. He said the event had been held in the past and was wanting to get the approval so preparations could be put in place including applying for a special event liquor license. Clerk Attebury asked Mr. Scates if he would be the point of contact regarding the liquor licenses and he stated he would be. Alderperson Winkleman questioned why there had to be liquor at every event. Alderperson Winkleman stated, “I have always voted “no” regarding anything to do with liquor and I just do not understand why it has to be served in order for people to attend.” Mr. Scates said that some people just enjoy having a beer or a glass of wine with their dinner. Alderperson Winkleman said it was a good event. Clerk Attebury will be in contact with Mr. Scates to begin the paperwork for special event license.
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard stated the total figures from Carmi Fest were not available yet.
Reports from Standing Committees
None.
Chief of Police, Jason Carter, reported he has had numerous complaints regarding golf carts and ATV SxS vehicles traveling the sidewalks, not being registered with proper insurance, and not crossing at the appropriately marked areas. Chief Carter said he has told his officers to write tickets of anyone who is disobeying the ordinance.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Joanie Cruse who lives on Fair Street addressed the council in regard to a ditch which runs behind her house and the Carmi Motel. She stated the ditch has been eroding and she is wanting some advice on how to fix this. She passed around some pictures to the Alderperson of the ditch. Mayor Pollard stated ditches are always a sticky situation because they do not belong to the City. Mayor Pollard stated when he first took office, there was flooding everywhere. He talked with the homeowners along the ditch from Huck’s all the way to the Christian Church were told the City would come in and clean them up but it was the homeowner’s responsibility to keep them that way and unfortunately that has not happened. Clerk Attebury suggested she speak with Brent Edwards, owner of O’Daniel Trucking to see what he recommends.
Closed Session to discuss personnel and property issues with no action to follow:
At 5:58, Alderperson Courson made a motion to go out of regular session into closed session to discuss property issues and litigation with no action to follow. Alderperson Winkleman seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
Adjournment
At 6:45 p.m. Alderperson Bradshaw made a motion to exit closed session, reenter regular session and adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
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Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
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Jeff Pollard, Mayor
