The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, June 19, 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 Hays 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, and Jeremy Courson.
ABSENT: Lance Yearby and Steve Winkleman.
Minutes from the June 5, 2018, council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderman Hays 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 approve the May 2018 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. Motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Courson to approve the May 2018 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 June 2018 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. Alderman Courson made a motion to approve the June 2018 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and the Light & Water Departments. Alderman Blake seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
For Council Consideration, Discussion, and Possible Approval
- Ordinance #1544, an ordinance establishing the 2018 Prevailing Wage for the City of Carmi, County of White, State of Illinois was presented. Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve Ordinance #1544, an ordinance establishing the 2018 Prevailing Wage for the City of Carmi, County of White, State of Illinois. Alderman Courson seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
- Re-appointment of Diane Healy to the Library Board for a three (3) year term from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021, was presented. Alderman Courson made a motion to approve the re-appointment of Diane Healy to the Library Board for a three (3) year term from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021. Alderman Headlee seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
- Re-appointment of Denton Aud to the Library Board for a three (3) year term from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021, was presented. Alderman Hays made a motion to approve the re-appointment of Denton Aud to the Library Board for a three (3) year term from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021. Alderman Blake seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
- Re-appointment of Jessica Williams to the Library Board for a three (3) year term from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021, was presented. Alderman Courson made a motion to approve the re-appointment of Jessica Williams to the Library Board for a three (3) year term from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021. Alderman Headlee seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
- Re-appointment of John Stanley to the Library Board for a three (3) year term from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021, was presented. Alderman Courson made a motion to approve the re-appointment of John Stanley to the Library Board for a three (3) year term from July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021. Alderman Headlee seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
- Options for the Carmi Movie Theater were discussed. Mayor Pollard stated he had received a call from the owner of the building next door, Steve Norris, reporting possible water leakage from the shared wall, termites, and general instability of the building. Mayor Pollard stated during the Bicentennial, the site was evaluated for possible renovation and reopening. At that time, it was discovered there was a considerable amount of mold and water damage in the building along with the ceiling falling in. A few surrounding towns who have large movie theaters were contacted to see if they would be interested in purchasing the theater and renovating. At that time, no one was interested. Alderman Yearby had stated previously he had a contact who was in the business of renovating theaters and he would reach out to him to see if he was interested and if this individual was, he would contact Mayor Pollard. To date, Mayor Pollard has not been contacted. Mayor Pollard stated he hates to see us lose the theater due to it being an icon in the community but in its deteriorated state and for the safety of the community, we have very limited options. Discussion was held regarding the options. Mayor Pollard stated he felt there were three (3) options:
1) Demolish.
2) Renovation.
3) Obtain bids to sell.
Alderman Hays stated he was concerned with bidding it out and it still being run down and not improved. After much discussion, a motion was made by Jeremy Courson to seek bids to demolish the Carmi Movie Theater. The motion was seconded by Alderman Nelson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
- Façade Improvement Grant for Town and Country Barbers. Adam Winkleman, owner of Town and Country Barbers located at 106 North Church Street is requesting a Façade Improvement Grant for constructing a new awning, recessed lighting, and shake-style shingles along with cleaning, priming, sealing, and painting the building exterior in the amount of $5,000.00. Alderman Hays made a motion to approve the façade improvement Grant for Town and Country Barbers. The motion was seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
- Mayor Pollard asked the council for authorization to seek bids for sale of excess property that had previously been seized by the Carmi Police Department: 1994 Ford F150 Pickup. VIN: 1FTEF15H2RLB56917, SOLD AS IS, MINIMUM BID $450.00. Alderman Hays stated this vehicle would be sold on Ebay. Alderman Hays made a motion authorizing the sale of the previously police-seized 1994 Ford F150 pickup. The motion was seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Business or Comments from Visitors
Visitor Debbie Bunting commented regarding the Carmi Movie Theater, she had found a magnet for Foxy and wondered if they had a loan and was responsible for paying that back. Mayor Pollard stated the City got it back through default of the City Revolving Loan Fund. Mayor Pollard stated it was in fairly decent shape when the City received it back but we still could not get anyone interested in it. Mrs. Bunting stated even if the building was on the historical site map, by the time you went through the process to apply for a grant, if available, it likely would not be beneficial. Mrs. Bunting stated hopefully after the building is demolished, another business would be interested in the spot since it is a good location. Alderman Headlee stated they had a grant meeting with Greater Wabash about what grants were available and there was nothing available for anything like that.
Closed Session to discuss personnel and property issues with no action to follow:
None.
Adjournment
Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Courson to adjourn. Motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
At 5:49 p.m. the council adjourned.
Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
