The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street for the regular City Council 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 Aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Tracy Nelson, Lacey Bradshaw, Mike Knight, Jeremy Courson, Sheila Headlee and Doug Hays.
The minutes from the April May 2, 2023 council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderman Courson and seconded by Alderman Hays to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
The April 2023 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments were presented for approval. Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve the April 2023 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. The motion was seconded by Alderman Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
The May 2023 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments were presented for approval. Alderman Winkleman made a motion to approve the May 2023 vendor invoices. The motion was seconded by Alderman Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval
A. Renewal of SRO Agee (school resource officer) agreement for the next school year 2023-2024. Jason Carter, Chief of Police, stated the school board had approved the renewal at the School Board meeting last night. Alderman Hays made a motion to approve the renewal of SRO Agee for the next school year 2023-2024. The motion was seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson answering “yes.”
B. Approve to pursue an agreement for a second SRO (school resource officer). At the School Board meeting last night, they approved to pursue an agreement for a second SRO (school resource officer). Chief Carter said within the coming weeks, the School Board as well as himself will be gathering information to report to both the School Board as well as the City Council for approval. After a brief discussion, Alderman Hays made a motion to approve to pursue an agreement for a second SRO. The motion was seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson answering “yes.”
C. Pay request: Brown and Roberts, Inc. Burrell’s Woods Park Roadway Design Engineering Bill #2 in the amount of $26,129.10. Alderman Winkleman made a
motion to approve the pay request to Brown and Roberts, Inc. for the Burrell’s Woods Park Roadway Design Engineering Bill #3 in the amount of $26,129.10. The motion was seconded by Alderman Hays. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson answering “yes.”
D. Ordinance #1601: An ordinance granting the gas franchise, right, permission and authority to Consumers Gas Company was presented for approval. Mayor Pollard stated the prior term had expired and the new term would be for 20 years. Alderman Hays made a motion to adopt Ordinance #1601; An ordinance granting the gas franchise, right, permission and authority to Consumers Gas Company. The motion was seconded y Alderman Knight. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
E. Ordinance #1602: A replacement of ordinance #1584, Illinois Municipal Utilities Association Net Metering Policy 2023. Mayor Pollard explained the change in the ordinance was to allow the total fee to be collected when the Net Metering Permit application is presented. Alderman Hays made a motion to approve Ordinance #1602: A replacement of ordinance 31584, Illinois Municipal Utilities Association Net Metering Policy 2023. The motion was seconded by Alderman Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson answering “yes.”
F. Reappointment of Diane Healy to the Carmi Library Board from June 1, 2023 until May 30, 2025. Alderman Winkleman made a motion to reappointment Diane Healy to the Carmi Library Board from June 1, 2023 until May 30, 2025. The motion was seconded by Alderman Knight. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard informed the City Council and the residents of Carmi that he had received a phone call on Sunday, May 14, 2023 from White County Ambulance Director, Adam Allen. He called to inform me that the new owner of the hospital property was no longer allowing them to use the Helipad free of charg; they want to charge $1,000.00 per month. “I told Adam that we would find another location and they were more than welcome to use the grass property that the City owns directly across from Carmi Manor Nursing Home” stated Mayor Pollard. The helipad had been constructed over 8 years ago with all the funding provided by Elastec Incoroporated and the property provided by the Phoenix Foundation. When Phoenix finally folded, the City took over providing electric and maintaining the helipad only. Mayor Pollard stated, “Our hope was to eventually end up with the property, clean it up, and keep the helipad for the convenicence of our residents.” However, when the County put the property up for tax auction, the City not only did not win the bid for the property but they also lost all other monies owed to the City. Now, moving forward, it will be the responsibility of the City to provide a new location for the helipad while continuing to fine the property owners of the hospital until they get the property totally cleaned up and a safe environment.
Mayor Pollard also reported that a few months ago, the school had contacted City Supervisor, Brad Attebury as well as myself regarding the parking issues around Carmi High School as well as the football field. After discussion with school officials, after this school year is over, we will be doing joint-projects with the school sharing some of the expense. We will be removing the trees in the first three islands on College Boulevard,
making that area angled parking with an eight-foot sidewalk, hand railing, and lighting all similar to Seventh Street at the new Police Department. The infrastructure cost can be paid through TIF funds with the City of Carmi employees doing most of the work. After that, we will be redoing Crebs Avenue behind the football field. That area will be widened with angled parking all behind the grandstand.
The Mayor also reported we have started off this spring with nearly twice the number of calls about unkempt properties compared to last year. “We are ticketing for this ordinance violation so if you do not want to pay a fine, then I would suggest you clean up your property,” stated Mayor Pollard.
Reports from Standing Committees
None
Business or Comments from Visitors
None
Closed Session to discuss personnel with action to follow:
None.
Adjournment
At 5:50 p.m. Alderman Headlee made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
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Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
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Jeff Pollard, Mayor