The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street for the regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting was called to order.
Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Winkleman to give the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Aldermen present: Mark W. Blake, Sheila Jo Headlee, Doug Hays, Mike Knight, Tracy Nelson, Jeremy Courson, Steve Winkleman, and Lance Yearby.
Minutes from the January 2, 2018, council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Knight to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to approve the December 2017 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. Motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the December 2017 Financial reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to approve and authorize January 2018 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. Alderman Winkleman made a motion to approve the January 2018 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and the Light & Water Departments. Alderman Courson seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider approving Brown and Roberts as the qualified design and construction engineering firm for the EDA Industrial Avenue grant, if awarded. Discussion was held regarding Trellborg is looking to expand and the grant will be used to install sewer drains and raise the road in areas where it floods. After discussion, Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve Brown and Roberts as the qualified design and construction engineering firm for the EDA Industrial Avenue grant, if awarded. Motion was seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider approving Resolution 01.16.18, a resolution of support and commitment of funds for Industrial Avenue EDA Grant. In order to be eligible to receive the grant, the City of Carmi has to approve Resolution 01.16.18. After discussion, motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve Resolution 01.16.18, a resolution of support and commitment of funds for the Industrial Avenue EDA grant. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider renewal of the agreement with Mutual Medical Plans, Inc. to serve as the City of Carmi’s third party administrator for the health insurance plan from 02/01/2018 to 01/31/2019. David Andreas with Mutual Medical was then presented. Mr. Andreas discussed the rising cost of healthcare, not only in our City but throughout the United States. A 9-year cost comparison showed the City is still paying less for its healthcare with Mutual Medical than it was with BC/BS back in 2009. Mr. Andreas stated the plan costs are creeping up because of claims frequency (more people going to the doctor) and the rising cost of healthcare (for example, an MRI today costs more than it did two years ago). Mr. Andreas stated the administration fee and network access fee will remain the same for the 2018 plan. Two options were presented for our reinsurance plan:
- Renewal A: Individual deductible of $40,000 with $24,000 IAD which would cost $276,390 per year. This is an estimated total annual premium increase of $13,161.
- Renewal B: Individual deductible of $42,500 with $24,000 IAD which would not raise the estimated total annual premium from last year of $263,229 per year.
After much discussion, Alderman Headlee made a motion to accept Renewal B; individual deductible of $42,500 with $24,000 IAD which would keep the premium the same at $263,229 per year for the reinsurance. The motion was seconded by Alderman Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented the Police Department Committee to ask the council to approve the purchase of a new police vehicle, a Dodge Ram, for use by the Police Department with the purchase being made at White County Ford utilizing the state bid process for $25,000 out of the budget and an additional $10,000 out of discretionary fund to equip it. Alderman Hays stated every year around December, the Police Department is budgeted and purchases a new vehicle that gets moved to front line which allows them to cycle out the older vehicles. Last year we did not get rid of a vehicle, we kept the 2009 Crown Vic for the K-9 unit as a backup unit which is currently being used every day and is no longer a good backup vehicle. The K-9 Unit vehicle is in the worst condition. Chief Carter has done an excellent job in managing his monies in the discretionary funds the last few years, (money which comes from DUI fund, drug fund, towing fund, etc.), and he has enough money to completely fund the cost of a new K-9 vehicle as well. This would be a Dodge Durango. Alderman Hays stated tax payer monies would not be utilized for the Dodge Durango; it would be funded solely by Chief Carter’s discretionary fund. This will be a K-9 vehicle and will also come from White County Ford. That will free up getting rid of the 2011 K-9 car, which in doing so, we are going to go ahead and ask for permission to sell it on EBay internet auction site which opens up more avenues and we will get a little more for it. Alderman Hays made a motion to spend $25,000, which is budgeted, to White County Ford for a 2018 Dodge Ram (using the state bid process) and sell off the 2011 Crown Vic via EBay auction site. Motion was seconded by Alderman Blake. Motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard stated David Coston was on the agenda but he had a meeting with him this afternoon and Mr. Coston asked to be removed from the agenda as he had not received the bids to present tonight.
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard wanted to thank the Street Department and the Parks Department for all of their hard work this weekend and Monday for the snow removal. Also thank you to the Water Department for working in this terrible weather all weekend on water leaks all over town due to the freezing temperatures.
Mayor Pollard wanted to remind everyone the tickets for the Winter Gala the Chamber of Commerce is hosting at the Elks are on sale now if anyone is interested. The tickets are $25.00 each for the dinner and if you just want to come for the entertainment, which will be local native Rob Endicott and his jazz band, tickets are $10.00. The doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the dinner is served at 6:00 p.m.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Winkleman reported the front door of the library is not working properly. Mr. Buckman will have the Street Department check it out
Business or Comments from Visitors
None.
Closed Session to discuss personnel and property issues with no action to follow:
None.
Adjournment
Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Headlee to adjourn. Motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
At 6:27 p.m. the council adjourned.
Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
