The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street for the regularly scheduled Carmi City Council Meeting.
Prior to opening of 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, Mike Knight, Doug Hays, Jeremy Courson, and Sheila Headlee.
The minutes from the November 21, 2023 council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderperson Courson and seconded by Alderperson Hays to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
The October 2023 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments were presented for approval. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve the October 2023 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
The November 2023 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments were presented for approval. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the November 2023 vendor invoices. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval
a. Approve Carmi Library Budget and Holiday Schedule for 2024: Alderperson Winkleman stated the Holiday schedule did not need approved, just the budget. Alderperson Winkleman then made a motion to approve the Carmi Library Budget with a 2nd by Alderperson Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
b. Letter of Intent for Settlement of Land Trust Agreement City v. Given. Mayor Pollard stated this letter was another step in the legal action to close the land fill. With no further discussion, Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve the letter with a 2nd by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
c. Christmas bonuses for City employees and Light & Water employees (previously tabled from last meeting.) Mayor Pollard stated. “After discussion at the last meeting regarding increasing the bonuses for the employees, I do not feel there is time to change it right now but would like to look into it after the beginning of the year.” He also said with the employees being union, we would need to look into the contract before changing anything. Alderperson Hays made a motion to give the employees the $60.00 plus $5.00 per year of longevity for the full-time employees and a flat $60.00 for part-time employees and firemen). The motion was seconded by Alderperson Knight. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes” except for Alderperson Bradshaw who answered “no.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard reminded everyone to check out the Chamber of Commerce social media pages, City of Carmi website and Ap as well as the local news for all of the Holiday activities that are planned. This Saturday is our lighted Christmas parade at 5:30 p.m. The line up will be a little different this year but the parade route will be the same; Cherry Street to Main Cross then down Robinson Street back to the Uptown Theater Park.
As a reminder, trash service for Thursday will be ran on Friday in addition to the normal Friday route.
Cynthia Attebury reported this was opening weekend for the Christmas Lights of Hope Light Display at the fairgrounds. The light schedule is as follows:
Friday and Saturday nights: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday nights: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
We will be open the entire week of December 18th through December 21st from 6 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and we will be open the weekend of December 22nd and 23rd as well. Mrs. Attebury said all money raised from the gate donation is used to purchase name-brand shoes for children in the White County area.
Reports from Standing Committees
None.
Business or Comments from Visitors
None.
Closed Session to discuss personnel with no action to follow:
None.
Adjournment
At 5:42 p.m. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Courson. 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
