The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, December 5. 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, Sheila Headlee, and Mike Knight. Absent: Alderperson’s Hays and Courson.
The minutes from the November 21, 2023, council meeting were presented for approval. Motion was made by Alderperson Headlee and seconded by Alderperson Winkleman 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. Reappointment of Brent Hammell to the Carmi Board of Fire and Policy Commission from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2026. Alderperson Headlee made the motion to approve the reappointment of Brent Hammell. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson answering “yes.”
b. Open and award bid for the 2005 Domatex Flo Trend Sludge Mate Trailer. The City received one bid. The bid was opened and was from the Village of Bluford for $20,112.00. Alderperson Nelson made a motion to accept and award the bid to the Village of Bluford. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
c. Pay Request: Sierra Bravo Contractors, LLC for Burrell’s Woods Park for $49,043.59 payable from MFT funds. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the pay request to Sierra Bravo Contractors, LLC. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Bradshaw. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
d. Ordinance 1610; An ordinance for the levy and assessment of property tax by the City of Carmi, IL for the fiscal year commencing the 1st day of January 2023 and ending the 31st day of December 2023, presented by H. Keith Botsch, City CPA. Mr. Botsch presented the levy ordinance and stated it was the standard increase, just under a 5%. The police pension was levied for $492,200, library for $82,700, and insurance $16,006, general corporate $120,000 for a total levied amount of $710,906. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve ordinance 1610. Alderperson Winkleman seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
e. Ordinance 1611; An ordinance abating the 2023 tax levy for the payment of the City of Carmi, White County, Illinois General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022A. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve Ordinance 1611. The motion was
seconded by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
f. Ordinance 1612; An ordinance abating the 2023 tax levy for the payment of the City of Carmi, White County, Illinois general obligation bonds, series 2022B. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve Ordinance 1612. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Bradshaw. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
g. Ordinance 1613; A replacement of ordinance 1608, 1584, 1602 and 1605 Illinois Municipal Utilities Association, Net Metering Policy. Mayor Pollard stated the changes on this ordinance were Section 10 which required a “wet signature” now as well as applications must be signed and stamped by a professional engineer registered in the State of Illinois. Alderperson Bradshaw made the motion to approve Ordinance 1613, Net metering Policy. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Nelson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
h. Discuss financing of bucket truck instead of paying for it out of the bond fund as previously approved. Mayor Pollard stated in August 2022 when the purchase of the truck was approved, the motion was made to pay it out of the bond account. Since that time, there have been some unexpected expenses which have occurred including IMEA bills and purchasing of a VAC trailer which was paid out of the bond funds. After the funds have been paid back to the bond account, there were will be $206,000 in the account but right now there is approximately $19,000. Alderperson Bradshaw asked if there was enough funds in the reserve account. Mayor Pollard stated at this time, there was approximately $50,000 in the account due to mis-figuring for the past few months. After some discussion, Alderperson Headlee made a motion to finance the bucket truck at First Mid Bank for 7 years at 6.87% interest. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard did not have any reports but turned the floor over the Jim Brown from Brown and Roberts to give an update on the Hillsdale Project. Mr. Brown stated yesterday was the last reconnection of lines. The project started in 2020 to replace and relocate lines that were undersized and in poor condition. The project was funded by a DECO grant, IEPA grant and IEPA loan. Mr. Brown said 93 homes received new water meters and service lines. He stated, “There have been approximately 10 issues primarily associated with homeowners not having an expansion tank on their hot water heater, which is a requirement of the state plumbing code.” Mr. Brown suggested if the homeowners have a problem, they should contact their insurance as it is on the homeowner and not the City of Carmi.
Reports from Standing Committees
None.
Business or Comments from Visitors
None.
Closed Session to discuss personnel and property with no action to follow:
None.
Adjournment
At 5:58 p.m. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to adjourn. Alderperson Blake seconded the motion. 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
