The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, December 15th, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street, Carmi, Illinois.
Prior to opening the council meeting, Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Winkleman to give the invocation. The prayer was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Lane Yearby, Sheila Jo Headlee, Jack Lamont, Doug Hays and Mike Knight. Alderman Davis had a work issue and was absent.
Minutes for the December 1st, 2015 council meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
November 2015 Financial Reports were presented. Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the financial reports as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
December 2015 Vendor Invoices were presented. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Knight to approve the vendor invoices as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider the reappointment of Robert Duckworth to the Police Commission for a three (3) year term effective January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the reappointment as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then presented Alderman Hays to speak on the Police Department Committee’s behalf to ask the council to approve the purchase of a new police vehicle for use by the Police Department with the purchase being made utilizing the stated bid process. He informed the council that they are going to stay with the Dodge Ram pick-up truck, because they have had no trouble out of either of the ones they currently have. He stated that there is twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) budgeted for this year and the cost of the new truck is twenty eight thousand five hundred dollars ($28,500). He added that the overage of the truck price, lights and striping will be paid out of the tow fee fund. He explained that this new truck will not be taking the place of another patrol car and that the K9 car would be next to cycle out. The Dodge Ram and the Chevy Caprice are now on the front line. J.C Tinsley asked about any issues with trucks vs. cars. Alderman Hays answered that there are none and that the trucks have plenty of storage and room. He added that there is currently no stand-by vehicle. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the purchase of a new police vehicle as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard stated that the Street and Alley Department has requested approval to seek bids for a new or used (with full warranty) mini track hoe. He said that it works great for tight spaces, and sidewalks. Alderman Lamont commented that Hillyard’s has worked on the old one in the past and is beyond repair. Mayor Pollard stated that on the end of the bid would be a lease to own with buyout price. Alderman Lamont asked how much money they were looking at. Mayor Pollard answered that it would probably be around fifty thousand to sixty thousand dollars ($50,000-$60,000). Motion made by Alderman Lamont and seconded by Alderman Hays for the Street and Alley Department approval to seek bids for the mini track hoe as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider roof bids for the Carmi Water Barn from Tie-On Roofing. The bid was for twenty eight thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars ($28,750). Alderman Winkleman asked if they only ran one (1) ad in the paper. Clerk Allen answered “yes”, that’s all we have to run legally. Mayor Pollard stated that they could table it and run another one if that’s what they wanted to do. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to table the roof bid as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then asked the council to consider the renewal of risk management insurance for the City of Carmi for the period of January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016 from Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services, Inc. City Clerk Brian Allen stated that the City’s property values raised and the exposures went up drastically, but they are protected on everything now. Clerk Allen noted that the premiums actually went down for 2016 due to the city having a great track record and being proactive with its risk management program. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Knight to approve the renewal of the risk management insurance as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider Resolution 12.15.15, authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Carmi and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency prohibiting the use of groundwater as a Potable Water Supply by the installation or use of Potable Water Supply Wells or by any other method. Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Hays to approve Resolution 12.15.15 as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then asked the council to consider Ordinance No. 1495, authorizing loan agreement with Public Water Supply Loan Program for replacement of the High Service Pump Station at the water wells and the Blue Goose Pump Station. He explained that it is an EPA requirement to apply for loan with agreement. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve Ordinance No. 1495 as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
None
City Engineer David Coston then gave a small report. He stated that he had a meeting with IMEA discussing the clean air act for coal fired power plants. Nuclear is now considered green power. Ameren rates are now increasing sixteen (16) percent for 2016 and IMEA will have no increase. He stated that they need a new meter point as well as maintenance on governor points by an expert. Duke Energy stated that Marshall, Illinois has a transformer like the city needs. It would be a fourth of the cost of a new one and they are asking fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for the unit. The total package includes switches, radiators, six (6) v lines, and the transformer. It would cost sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) per month on service agreement. It would cost the city around two million dollars ($2,000,000) if they purchased. It would end up costing seven point two million dollars (7,200,000) at sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) a month for one hundred and twenty (120) months.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight stated that the airport runway painting is being completed. He added that Burrell’s Woods is getting new signage for directions. He also wanted to thank the public and bell-ringers for the Salvation Army. Lastly, he wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
Alderman Yearby said that O’Daniel Trucking completed the drainage work scheduled at Montgomery Circle and it is working great.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Citizen Debbie Bunting wanted to let everyone know about the League of Arts variety show at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 19th.
Motion made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 6:17 p.m. the council adjourned.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
