MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
December 2, 2014
The Carmi City Council met Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 at 7:00 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 Steve 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, Keith Davis, Kenny Carter, Sheila Jo Headlee, Doug Hays, Jack Lamont and Mike Knight.
Minutes for the November 18th, 2014 Council Meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider reappointing Braden Willis III to the Police Commission for a three (3) year term effective January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2017. Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Carter. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then presented Mr. Carroll Dozier, village of Burnt Prairie board President, to address council to consider the City of Carmi assuming control of the Burnt Prairie water system. Mr. Dozier stated that the population by 2020 was projected to be two hundred (200) citizens, but they are currently at forty (40) citizens. The reason for such a high projection of population was the former Grayville prison and a coal mine and neither of these things came to pass. He added that the village is financially stable and that they only have a population problem. Burnt Prairie has nine (9) board members. They previously tried to unincorporate the village and had hired two (2) attorneys to help them who both resigned from the project. They would like Carmi to consider taking ownership of their water system. He stated that they have proposed to install a new water tank. Carmi is charging three dollars and ninety three cents ($3.93) and the citizens of Burnt Prairie pay about five dollars ($5) per one thousand (1,000) gallons with a ten dollar (10) minimum. He commented that they are looking to upgrade the pump station because it has been in use since 1990. Alderman Headlee asked how many miles of water lines they have. Mr. Dozier answered that they have fifty to sixty (50-60) miles of water lines. They have only a few water line breaks and in thirty (30) years no more than ten (10). Burnt Prairie has two (2) meter readers and one (1) person to maintain pumps. Alderman Headlee questioned if they have inventory to take care of breaks in the water lines and Mr. Dozier said that they do have inventory on hand. Alderman Davis asked if the meters were original from the 1990’s; Mr. Dozier said yes they were. Alderman Headlee asked how many river crossings there were and Mr. Dozier answered that there was only one (1) over Skillet Fork Creek. He said that he can get any further information needed to the council. He concluded by saying that taking control of Burnt Prairie’s water system would increase the City of Carmi’s revenue for water.
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard wanted to thank all of the city employees who worked on installing the Christmas decorations. He also wanted to thank Holly Healy for all of her hard work this past weekend on the Christmas parade and the tree lighting ceremony. There was a great turn out for the parade and the ceremony and he is sure this will become a new tradition for years to come.
He also wanted to remind the public to come in and cast their vote for employee of the year. The ballot box is in the Light and Water office and will be out until December 17th.
Mayor Pollard also commented about possibly fixing the building permit ordinance and implementing a fine for citizens who do not follow the ordinance.
City Clerk Brian Allen reminded the council to turn in their petitions for the Spring Consolidated election, December 15th through December 22nd.
City Supervisor Mike Buckman gave a short report of the Motor Fuel Tax Projects. He stated that 3rd Street and Shipley drains have been installed. Asphalting will be completed next spring. 7th Street and Crebs Street are finished along with the new parking and sidewalk at the high school. A Street will be milled and resurfaced in the spring. College Boulevard sidewalk and rip rap is competed. Plum Street work began today, December 2nd. Saunders Avenue wall is completed and the Hillcrest Avenue culvert is installed. Concrete work will be slowing down due to winter approaching. Water lines being tapped for fire hydrants will take place in the spring. He wanted to let the council know that power outages are scheduled due to upgrades that will include Edgewood because of the new church being built. He stated that the press is always notified and does a good job reporting when a road is closed and when there are power outages.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Davis stated that the dump truck bed for the Waste Water Treatment Plant will be in soon and Meyer Truck Equipment will be installing sometime in January.
Business or Comments from Visitors
None
Motion was made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Knight to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel and property issues with no action to follow. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
At 7:37 p.m. council went into closed session.
Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Carter to return to open session and adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 7:58 p.m. the council adjourned.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
