The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street for the regularly scheduled meeting.
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 Alderperson’s present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Tracy Nelson, Lacey Bradshaw, Jeremy Courson, Sheila Headlee, Mike Knight and Doug Hays.
The minutes from the September 19, 2023, council meeting were presented for approval. Motion was made by Alderperson Hays and seconded by Alderperson Blake to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes”.”
For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval
a. Resolution 10.3.23; A resolution authorizing the Mayor of the City of Carmi to sign the Annexation Petition for Burrell’s Woods Property. Alderman Hays made a motion to approve the above resolution. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Knight. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson answering “yes.”
b. Ordinance 1609; An ordinance clarifying the setting of utility poles within the City of Carmi, Illinois. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to adopt ordinance 1609. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Hays. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
c. Resolution 10.4.23; A resolution accepting a grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Strong Communities Program – Round 2 in the amount of $120,000. Mayor Pollard explained this was the grant the City received in 2020 which allowed the City to tear down several dilapidated houses. Houses/properties will be looked at starting in the Spring of 2024 to see if they meet the requirements for the grant. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve Resolution 10.4.23. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
d. Pay Request: Brown & Roberts, Inc. Burrell’s Woods Park Roadway Construction Engineering Invoice #4 for $ Billing 8-31-23 to 9-27-23 for $39,510.63 (Paid out of MFT Funds). Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the pay request for Brown & Roberts, Inc. in the amount of $39,510.63. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Knight. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
e. Pay Request: Sierra Bravo Contractors, LLC for $485,264.52 (Paid out of MFT Funds). Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the pay request to Sierra Bravo as noted above. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Hedlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes”.
f. Contractors pay estimate #2 to Wiggs Excavating for the Water System Improvements 2020 – DCEO PI Portion for $263,230.86. Alderperson Courson made a motion to approve the contractors pay estimate #2 to Wiggs Excavating as noted above. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
g. Construction Engineering Bill #2 to Brown and Roberts, Inc. for the Water System Improvements 2020 – DCEO PI Portion for $16,119.50. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve the construction engineering bill #2 to Brown and Roberts, Inc as noted above. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
h. Resolution 10.05.23; TIF Agreement with Campbell Farms & Energy Office at 1220 East Main Street. Mayor Pollard stated the plans were for a new office space to be built at the location. Alderperson Courson made a motion to approve Resolution 10.05.23 as noted above. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Hays. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
i. SolAmerica/IMEA System Impact Study estimated at $46,000 (reimbursed by SolAmerica. Mayor Pollard reported the City of Carmi had been approached by IMEA along with SolAmerica regarding land next to the disposal plant on Possum Road they are planning to leasing. Mayor Pollard said the benefits to the City would be an upgraded electrical system to the Disposal Plant as well as SoloAmerica would reimburse the City of Carmi for the study. Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve the SolAmerica/IMEA System Impact Study. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
j. Mayor Pollard is seeking permission to pay up to $60,000 for entertainment for the Eclipse Festival. Mayor Pollard stated, “We have picked out a few different options for entertainment for the eclipse but in order to move forward and announce the entertainment, we have to pay 50% of the contract price.” Mayor Pollard went on to say the plans are for other businesses to do sponsorships to help with the cost for the event. If this event is successful, some type of annual event would like to be hosted on the 66 acres at Burrell Woods. Alderperson Hedlee made a motion giving the Mayor permission to pay up to $60,000 for entertainment for the Eclipse Festival. Alderperson Winkleman seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Hydrant flushing will begin nightly from midnight to 5 a.m. through October 31st.
The 79th Annual Chamber Dinner is this coming Monday at the Carmi White County VFW. Social hour begins at 5 p.m. with the dinner at 6:30 p.m.
Corn Day festivities start Thursday evening with the rides open to the public from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Friday, Main Street will be closed for traffic starting at 3 p.m. until midnight Saturday for all the Corn Day events.
The City Office will be closed Monday, October 9th to observe Columbus Day. The office will also close at 3 p.m. on Friday, October 13th due to Main Street being closed for Corn Day preparations.
The City of Carmi and Chamber of Commerce Trunk-or-Treat will be Tuesday, October 31st from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Any business or organization wanting to participate, should contact Holly Healy at [email protected] or call 618-384-2001 by October 24, 2023. The City wide trick-or-treating will be on October 31st from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Mayor Pollard would like to wish everyone a safe and fun Corn Day.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderperson Winkleman asked for an update on the Burrell Woods project which was given.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Chief of Police Jason Carter reminded everyone of the CWCHS Homecoming parade which will be held Friday, October 6th beginning at 1:05 p.m. The parade route will be the same as last year.
Closed Session to discuss personnel and property with no action to follow:
None.
Adjournment
At 6:00 p.m. Alderperson Courson made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Blake. 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
