The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street.
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, Jeremy Courson, Tracy Nelson, Sheila Jo Headlee, Mike Knight, and Doug Hays. Absent: Lance Yearby
Minutes from the January 16, 2018, council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider Resolution 02.06.18; A resolution of support and commitment of funds for Industrial Avenue EDA Grant (revised). Mayor Pollard stated the revisions to this resolution were adding the previously omitted administration fees and authorizing the Mayor to sign on behalf of the City of Carmi. A motion was made by Alderman Headlee to adopt Resolution 02.06.18; A resolution of support and commitment of funds for Industrial Avenue EDA Grant (revised). The motion was seconded by Alderman Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented the cash-rent bids for the Airport farmland for review and approval which are as follows:
- Bid 1: David Brown – $140.00 per tillable acre
- Bid 2: Albert Rusty Walsh – $156.00 per tillable acre.
- Bid 3: Campbell Farms – $157.00 per tillable acre.
- Bid 4: Bryant Farms – $162.00 per tillable acre.
After discussion, Alderman Knight made a motion to accept the Bryant Farms cash-rent bid of $162.00 per tillable acre on a four (4) year contract. Alderman Nelson seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented David Coston, Electrical Engineer, to discuss options for repair of engine #11 at the Light Plant. Mr. Coston stated that in July 2017 during the annual IMEA U.R.G.E. test, generator #11 failed to start. In the following weeks, the generator was diagnosed as having a failed-air start valve that disintegrated dropping into one of the cylinders. The piston was removed, rings were replaced, and the cylinder walls were honed. The engine was started and exhibited a loud knock. It also failed to build up enough oil pressure to keep the low oil pressure cutout from shutting down the unit. Estimates for diagnosing engine #11 have been received from Wheeler World, Inc. for $61,710.00 and from Industrial Diesel Services for $36,360.00. Mr. Coston stated the actual cost to repair the engine could range from $300,000 to $750,000, depending on how much labor the City of Carmi is willing to assist with. Mr.
Coston stated the City of Carmi is receiving IMEA credits in the amount of $8640.00 per month/$103,680.00 per year for engine #11 to be operational. If the generator is not repaired or replaced within 1 year of its out of service date (July 2018), we will lose the credit for the remainder of the IMEA contract (approximately 17 years) unless the IMEA board makes an exception (which would likely be approved if requested before July 2018). In addition to reducing the cost of purchased power, the power plant is the City’s source of backup power in the event where we would lose our main supply. Mr. Coston presented the following options to the Council:
- Spend the money to repair the existing unit (3-7 year payback).
- Purchase a new unit (12-15 year payback).
- Purchase a used unit (5-6 year payback).
- Do nothing, give up the IMEA credit ($103,680 yearly) and live with a lower level of backup generation capacity.
Mr. Coston asked the council to review the above options and discuss at the next council meeting.
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
None.
Reports from Standing Committees
None.
Business or Comments from Visitors
None.
Closed Session to discuss personnel and property issues with action to follow:
None.
Adjournment
At 6:10 p.m. Alderman Headlee made a motion to adjourn. 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
