The regularly scheduled council meeting was held on Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. via phone conference.
Prior to opening the council meeting, Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Winkleman to give the invocation.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Tracy Nelson, James Totten, Jeremy Courson, Sheila Jo Headlee, Mike Knight, and Doug Hays.
The minutes from the November 5, 2020, council meeting were presented. Aldermen Totten made a motion to approve the November 5, 2020, council meeting minutes as presented. Alderman Hays seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present via phone conference answering “yes.”
The minutes from the November 17, 2020, council meeting were presented. Aldermen Knight made a motion to approve the November 17, 2020 meeting minutes as presented. Alderman Totten seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present via phone conference answering “yes”.
The October 2020 Financial reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water were presented for approval. Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve the financial reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water. The motion was seconded by Aldermen Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present via phone conference answering “yes”.
The November 2020 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Light & Water were presented for approval. Aldermen Totten made a motion to approve the November 2020 invoices for the City of Carmi and Light & Water. Aldermen Winkleman seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present via phone conference answering “yes”.
For Council Consideration, discussion, and possible approval
- Ordinance #1568: An ordinance for the levy and assessment of property tax by the City of Carmi, Illinois for the fiscal year commencing the 1st day of January 2020 and ending the 31st day of December 2020. City CPA Keith Botsch stated not having the real estate taxes out for 2019 payable in 2020, estimates were made based on the 2018 levies. Mr. Botsch stated 4.99% was levied and he felt that should be sufficient. He also stated the Police Pension Fund did increase but not to the extent it had in the previous years. Aldermen Headlee asked if when downstate takes over the Police Pension Fund if the levy would go down. Mr. Botsch stated he believes it should but there is no way to tell if it will at this point. Mr. Botsch stated the levy for the general fund is $87,275, the Police Pension Fund levy is $475,756 and the Library levy is $79,860 for a total levied amount of $642.891. Aldermen Headlee made a motion to pass Ordinance #1568, an ordinance for the levy and assessment of property tax by the City of Carmi, Illinois for the fiscal year commencing the 1st day of January 2020 and ending the 31st day of December 2020. The motion was seconded by Aldermen Hays. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present via phone conference answering “yes.”
- Ordinance #1569: An ordinance abating the 2020 tax levy for the payment of the City of Carmi, White County, Illinois general obligation bonds, series 2011A. Aldermen Totten made a motion to adopt Ordinance #1569, An ordinance abating the 2020 tax levy for the payment of the City of Carmi, White County, Illinois general obligation bonds, series 2011A. The motion was seconded by Aldermen Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present via phone conference answering ”yes.”
- Ordinance #1570: An ordinance abating the 2020 tax levy for the payment of the City of Carmi, White County, Illinois general obligation bonds, series 2011B. Alderman Headlee made a motion to adopt Ordinance #1570: An ordinance abating the 2020 tax levy for payment of the City of Carmi, White County, Illinois general obligations bonds, series 2011B. Alderman Totten seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present via phone conference answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard announced that Christmas Lights of Hope has opened for the holiday season. They will be open every weekend from now until Christmas. The City of Carmi has partnered with the Carmi Christmas Elves, Inc. to have a drive-in theater at the Elastec parking lot on December 19, 2020. The first movie, The Star, will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the second movie, The Polar Express will begin around 7:30 p.m. This event is free to the public.
Reports from Standing Committees
Aldermen Winklemen reported he had just attended the Library meeting. He stated there had been a hole in the ceiling which had been fixed but there is now a leak again which has caused the hole to open up. Aldermen Winkleman asked if the City would be able to look at it. Mayor Pollard stated he would have someone take a look at it.
Adjournment
At 5:45 p.m. Alderman Headlee made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderman Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
