The regularly scheduled council meeting was held on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street.
Prior to opening the council meeting, a moment of silence was held for the passing of James T. Gaines, previous Mayor of the City of Carmi. Alderman Winkleman then gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
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 June 1, 2021, council meeting were presented. Alderman Hays made a motion to approve the June 1, 2021, council meeting minutes as presented. Alderman Totten seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
The May 2021 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light & Water were presented to the council for consideration. A motion was made by Alderman Headlee for approval of the May 2021 Financial Reports. The motion was seconded by Alderman Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
The vendor invoices for June 2021 for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light & Water were presented for approval. A motion was made by Alderman Winkleman to approve the June 2021 vendor invoices. The motion was seconded by Alderman Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
For Council Consideration, discussion, and possible approval
- Mayor Pollard presented an estimate from Scates Valley, Inc. for repair of water well #4 in the amount of $23, 370.00. A motion was made by Alderman Totten to accept the estimate from Scates Valley, Inc. as presented. The motion was seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
- Resolution 161021; Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code to commit $15,000 in MFT funds for drainage ditch improvements in Bradshaw Park from Sycamore to Stewart Street. Mayor Pollard stated the culvert that runs thru the parking lot to the Stewart Street ditch between the field and the substation is needing repaired in order to keep the water off the roads with an addition of a possible retention pond. Alderman Winkleman made a motion to approve Resolution 061021; Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Resolution for improvement under the Illinois Highway Code to commit $15,000 in MFT funds for drainage ditch improvement in Bradshaw Park from Sycamore to Stewart Street. The motion was seconded by Alderman Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
- IDOT Local Public Agency Engineering Services MFT PE Engineering Agreement with Brown and Roberts for $14,500 for preliminary and design engineering for the Bradshaw Park Project was presented. Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve the IDOT Local Public Agency Engineering Services MFT PE Engineering Agreement with Brown and Roberts for $14,500 for preliminary and design engineering for the Bradshaw Park Project. Alderman Courson seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
- Resolution 061121; Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code to commit $345,000 of MFT funds from the Rebuild Illinois Program for improvements on 0.19 miles of Saunders from Meadows to East end and 0.04 miles of Meadows from Saunders to Sunnybrook. Mayor Pollard stated with the Rebuild Illinois money that if we do not spend it, we have to send it back to the State of Illinois. Alderman Totten asked “how long can MFT money be kept in the account?” Mayor Pollard said there is not a time limit. With no further discussion, Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve Resolution 061121; Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Resolution for Improvement under the Illinois Highway Code to commit $345,000 of MFT funds from the Rebuild Illinois Program for improvements on 0.19 miles of Saunders from Meadows to East end and 0.04 miles of Meadows from Saunders to Sunnybrook. Alderman Courson seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
- IDOT Local Public Agency Engineering Services Agreement MFT PE Engineering Agreement from the Rebuild Illinois Program with Brown and Roberts for $33,529 for preliminary and design engineering for the Saunders and Meadows improvement project. Mayor Pollard stated the $33,529 is already included in the total amount of $345,000 for Resolution 061121.
Mayor Pollard reported the following:
Current balance in the MFT fund is $915,926.
Total of Bradshaw Park Project: $29,500.
Total Rebuild IL Project: $345,000.
City of Carmi part of repaving Main -$46,000.
Remaining Balance in MFT: $495,426.
Mayor Pollard also stated he will be meeting with Brown and Roberts regarding development of the 66 acres at Burrell Woods which would be eligible to use MFT funds. With no further discussion, Alderman Courson made a motion to approve the IDOT Local Public Agency Engineering Service Agreement. The motion was seconded by Alderman Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard announced that IDOT will begin resurfacing Main Street from 9th Street to the bridge on June 24, 2021. The City of Carmi has agreed to pay for the parking area so IDOT will be resurfacing curb to curb. Unfortunately, this will make parking for business on Main Street difficult for a short period of time. The City will continue to provide updates from IDOT on the City of Carmi App, Nixle and the local media.
In the next few weeks, you will be noticing some changes around the Carmi Light and Water building. Due to the pandemic, with the lobbies and offices being closed, we have decided to make some changes. The middle section of the building will have a lower lobby with a pneumatic tube system and monitor to communicate with the office staff for those who do not want to climb the steps. It will basically be like the bank drive thru but in a climate-controlled environment with the lower lobby door being unlocked from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday. The building will also be getting a fresh coat of pain. The Street and Alley Department will be doing the construction work as far as the structure and roofing on the new addition. “We hope our changes will help service the public better” stated Mayor Pollard.
Mayor Pollard announced the City of Carmi was awarded the 2021 Water System of the Year from the Illinois Rural Water Association. Mayor Pollard stated “the City of Carmi employees are commended for this award.”
There will be drag racing at the airport on Saturday the 19th as well as the Boots, Bulls and Country Music event held at the White County Fairgrounds.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Winkleman stated the building by the river owned by Gary Cates that was recently demolished made the area look much better as well as the area recently purchased and cleaned up the Rick and Jason Belford. Alderman Knight reported he has seen some children entering the old lumber yard located by the railroad tracks. Mayor Pollard stated this issue is currently being addressed.
Adjournment
At 5:52 p.m. Alderman Courson made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderman Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
