The Carmi City Council held the budget/appropriations hearing at 5:15 p.m. Arlynne Davis, co-owner & Senior Manager from Botsch and Associates presented the appropriation information for January 1, 2025 thru December 31, 2025. She stated the 2025 appropriations were up approximately $262,000 from the 2024 appropriations. The total appropriations for the City of Carmi are $26,048,854.00 for the fiscal year January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. Alderperson Winkleman questioned whether the library appropriations had been reduced and Ms. Davis said the amount was the same. With no further questions, the appropriations hearing closed out at 5:22 p.m.
At 5:30, the regularly monthly council meeting was called to order by Mayor Pollard.
Prior to opening the council meeting, Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Winkleman to give the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Alderpersons present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Tracy Nelson, Lacey Bradshaw, Mike Knight, Doug Hays, and Sheila Headlee. Absent: Jeremy Courson.
The minutes from the March 4, 2025 council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderperson Hays and seconded by Alderperson Bradshaw to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
The February 2025 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 March 2025 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 March 2025 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) Chamber Director, Megan Newman, addressed the Council regarding the annual 4th of July fireworks. Mrs. Newman said she had researched in July of last year for a new company as the company that was used in 2024 was not available in 2025. She secured a new company at that time. In their contract, they require the fireworks be paid in full 70 days prior to the show. This year’s fireworks show will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The company was not available on the 4th of July. The show will cost $14,000 which is what it has been in previous years. She stated if we continue to use this company, every year they will give us a discount. In the past, the City of Carmi has donated $10,000 for the fireworks show. Alderperson Hays made a motion to donate $10,000 to the fireworks show. The motion was seconded
by Alderperson Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
b) Selection of Brown and Roberts, Inc. to provide engineering services for the project: “Replace Rotating Beacon, Wind Cone, PAPI, & Runway 36 REILS; Install Runway 18 REILS.” Jim Brown, Brown and Roberts, Inc. was present. Mr. Brown said funding has become available and the City of Carmi has a retainer agreement with Brown and Roberts, Inc. but this particular project requires a special agreement which the Council has to “select” Brown and Roberts, Inc. to be the engineer service. Alderperson Nelson made a motion to select Brown and Roberts, Inc. as the engineer service for the above-noted project. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Hays. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
c) Arlynne Davis, co-owner & Senior Manager from Botsch and Associates presented Ordinance No. 1656; An ordinance for the annual appropriations for the City of Carmi IL for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025. A public hearing had been held prior to the meeting. Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1656; An ordinance for the annual appropriations for the City of Carmi IL for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2025. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Knight. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
d) Permission to seek bids for the Carmi Police Department roof. Chief Jason Carter stated the roof had been leaking for quite some time due to the gutter being clogged up and water running back underneath the roof. This has damaged some of the structure on the roof as well. The roof is flat and rubberized. The water is running in the stairwell and in the back side of the building. Discussion was held regarding the possible cost of the roof which could be quite costly. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to seek bids for the Carmi Police Department roof. Alderperson Hays seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
e) Police Department seeking permission to purchase a new police vehicle. Chief Carter said he had received some quotes using the state bid process. This is the last year they will make the Dodge Ram with the hemi in it. He has received several different for Durango, Chevy Silverado, Chevy Tahoe, Dodge Ram with a 6 liter. The prices range from $40,000 to $59,500. Alderperson Bradshaw voiced concern about purchasing a new vehicle due to the expense of the roof. Alderperson Headlee stated the vehicle had been budgeted but the roof was not. Chief Carter stated he had always been under budget in the past. He also said he was told by a local dealership if we did not order before April 1, 2025, they were unsure when we would receive the vehicle. Chief Carter said when the PD gets a new vehicle, the oldest in the fleet is rotated to the City of Carmi. Alderperson Hays said he understood a roof was needed but the vehicle is already budgeted. Alderperson Nelson asked how many vehicles they had and Chief Carter said 11; every officer has their own personal vehicle. The question was raised regarding leaving the vehicles at the PD instead of driving them home and it was said the officers would have to clean out the vehicle after their shift removing personal items and service weapons etc. After a very lengthy discussion, Alderperson Hays made a motion to purchase the Dodge Durango with the hemi from Jansen Motors. Alderperson Headlee seconded the
motion. The motion carried on roll call with Alderperson present answering “yes” except for Alderperson Bradshaw who voted no.
f) Invoice No. 2653 from Moran Economic Development, LLC, in the amount of $760.00 for the preparation of TIF Redevelopment Agreement – DA Ingram Properties, LLC (Pays from TIF 2). Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to pay invoice No. 2653 to Moran. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Hays. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
g) Brown & Roberts, Inc. Invoice No. 24-162-5 for Saunders Avenue Project in the amount of $1,966.08 (Payable from MFT). Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve the above invoice. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
h) Brown & Roberts, Inc. Job 2024-074 Rebuild IL DCEO Contract A – Water System Improvements C & O in the amount of $9,933.94 (Payable from Rebuild Grant). Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve the above-noted invoice. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
i) Contractor’s Partial Payment Estimate Wiggs Excavating Inc. for Water System Improvement – DCEO Rebuild Illinois – Contract A – Watermains and PRS in the amount of $13,500.00. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the Contractor’s Partial Payment Estimate for Wiggs. Alderperson Hays seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
j) Brown and Roberts, Inc. Design Engineering Bill #1 Invoice in the amount of $98,272.50 for 500,000-gallon pedesphere elevated water tank painting (Payable from IEPA Loan). Alderperson Bradshaw made a motion to approve the above-noted Brown and Roberts, Inc. Design Engineering Bill #1. Alderperson Blake seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
k) Resolution 03.18.25; A resolution to open a checking account for the IEPA Elevated Water Tank Project Loan. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the above resolution. Alderperson Bradshaw seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
l) Brown and Roberts, Inc. Invoice Design Engineering Bill #1 in the amount of $158,091.00 for Radio Read Water Meters (Payable from IEPA Loan). Alderperson Bradshaw made the motion to approve the above-noted invoice. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Hays. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
m) Resolution 03.19.2025; A resolution to open a checking account for the IEPA Radio Read Water Meter Project Loan. Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve the resolution. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Hays. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
None.
Reports from Standing Committees
None.
Business or Comments from Visitors
None.
Closed Session to discuss personnel and property issues with action to follow:
None.
Adjournment
At 6:10 p.m. Alderperson Hays made a motion adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Bradshaw. 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
