The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 5:15 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street for the public hearing of a mobile home permit at 116 Neely Circle. Mayor Pollard called the public hearing to order at 5:15 p.m. Clerk Attebury told the Alderperson’s all the information had been put in their packet regarding the mobile home permit. Fire Chief Daniel Ballard has already been notified and approved the location for the mobile home. Applicant Elmer Weccele was unable to attend the hearing so Clerk Attebury presented the information and answered questions regarding the permit. With no further questions or discussions, the public hearing was closed out at 5:20 p.m.
Prior to opening the regular 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 June 20, 2023, council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderperson Hays and seconded by Alderperson Courson to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
Keith Botsch, City of Carmi CPA, presented the Annual Financial Report and Independent Auditor’s Report for the City of Carmi for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022. Mr. Botsch stated overall, the City is in fairly good shape. The statement of net position showed cash and cash equivalents totaling $5,266,152 for the City with a total current asset balance of $6,873,682. For the balance sheet of governmental funds, general was $1,475,149; motor fuel tax $1,561,535, other governmental funds of $1,010,738 for a total governmental funds of $4,047,422. In the statement of revenues, expenditures and changes in fund balance, the general fund had $5,110,911, Motor fuel tax $325,788. Total expenditures were $5,615,042 with a deficiency of $504,131, operating transfers in $754,808, change in fund balance of $180,032. For the enterprise fund, the total operating revenue was $9,953,478 with operating expenses being $9,416,048, operating income before depreciation of $537,430. The police pension fund ended 2022 with total assets of $4,066,112. For the nonmajor governmental funds, the library showed total revenues of $95,994 with debt service of $118,209 with a deficiency of $22,215 but after transfer in of $15,592 it left fund balance deficiency of $6,623.00. The TIF fund revenue showed total revenues of $199,296, total expenditures of $113,687, excess revenues of $85,609. TIF#2 showed total revenues of $45,787 with total expenditures of $50,730 which showed a deficiency of $4943. For the General fund, total revenues were $4,793,200 budgeted with an actual amount spent of $5,110,911. For public safety, original budget was for $1,550,300 with actual expenditures being $1,854,381 (due to the new police department). Street and Roads had a budget of $695,980 with an actual expensive of $923,824. City garage had a budget of $91,750 and an actual expense of $136,716. Welding shop actual budget was $93,500 with actual expense of $67,619. More detailed information can be accessed in the Annual Financial Report and Independent Auditors’ Report December 31, 2022.
For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval
a. Possible approval of the mobile home permit for 116 Neely Circle. Clerk Attebury stated during the prior hearing, all questions and concerns had been addressed. With no further discussion, Alderperson Nelson made a motion to approve the mobile home permit for 116 Neely Circle. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson answering “yes.”
b. Pay request: Sierra Bravo for $54,298.66 for the Burrell’s Woods project to be paid out of Motor Fuel Tax money. Alderman Winkleman made a motion to approve the pay request for Sierra Bravo. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
c. TIF Request Rice Motor Company. Rice Motors is requesting $80,000 in TIF funds to help with an electrical upgrade project. Their total project cost is $300,000. The funds will be disbursed at the completion of the project. Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve the TIF request for Rice Motors. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
d. Resolution 07.10.23; Resolution authorizing an agreement with Rice Motor Company, Inc. utilizing tax increment financing. Alderman Hays made a motion to approve resolution 07.10.23; A resolution authorizing an agreement with Rice Motor Company, Inc. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
e. TIF Request: Martin & Bayley Warehouse. M & B will be doing an addition to their warehouse located in the TIF 1 district. This is a $4.7 million project and they are requesting $105,000 in TIF funds to cover the cost of some of the electrical upgrade. A motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Courson to approve the TIF request for M & B. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
f. Resolution 07.11.23; A resolution authorizing an agreement with Martin & Bayley, Inc. utilizing tax increment financing. A motion was made by Alderman Courson and seconded by Alderman Hays to approve the resolution as stated above. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering yes.
g. Ordinance 1603; An ordinance establishing Chapter 7, Title 6 of the Carmi City Code to regulate low-speed electric and gas-powered bicycles in the City of Carmi Illinois. Chief Carter stated the Police Department had taken numerous complaints regarding the motorized electric and gas-powered bicycles not following the Illinois rules of the road. City Attorney, Greg Stewart, was contacted and an ordinance was drafted and reviewed. Such ordinance is being presented for approval by the council. Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve Ordinance #1603 with a second by Alderman 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
Alderperson Courson said the 8U boys participated in the World Series Baseball Tournament at Marion Illinois and won the consolation bracket.
Alderman Headlee commended the Supervisor and Foremen for their diligence in trying to operate within their budgets.
Business or Comments from Visitors
None.
Closed Session to discuss personnel and property with no action to follow:
None.
Adjournment
At 6:04 p.m. Alderperson Courson made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Alderperson Headlee. 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
