The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, March 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 February 20, 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 presented David Coston, Electrical Engineer, to discuss additional information for repair of engine #11 at the Light Plant. Mr. Coston stated that he had presented the information regarding engine #11 to IMEA last month for a possible waiver. IMEA has granted the City a waiver for a 12-month replacement generation provision. This allows the City of Carmi to have an additional 12 months (starting July 20, 2018, to bring engine #11 (or its replacement) back in service. However, the waiver is dependent on the City of Carmi making a bona fide financial commitment prior to July 20, 2018, to timely fully repair or replace the unit. IMEA shall reserve the right to review the City’s plan of action with regard to Unit 11 to determine, in its sole and reasonable opinion, that it meets the intent of the waiver’s stipulations. Mr. Coston stated the estimated tear-down price of engine #11 for diagnostic purposes is $36,000.00 to $65,000.00. Repair of the engine once it is diagnosed is estimated to be between $300,000.00 and $750,000.00. Replacement of engine #11 with a new unit would be between $1.2 million and $1.5 million. If nothing is done, the City would lose IMEA credits which amount to $1.7 million over the next 17 years (the life of the contract). If the engine is not repaired or replaced, the City loses the ability to provide power to all customers when IMEA power is not available. Several questions were asked by the Alderman regarding the options for engine #11. After a detailed discussion, Alderman Hays made a motion to proceed with fixing engine #11 contingent on financing availability. Alderman Headlee seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
None.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight stated the shower building at Burrell Campground is almost ready for the camping season. When it was painted four years ago, it took 16 gallons of paint due to the moisture. Alderman Knight will be contacting Slay’s Carpeting to see if they have dehumidifiers available for rent. They will be painting the shower stalls with excess swimming pool paint which should last longer. Alderman Knight also stated Summer Recreational League Opening Day is April 28, 2018.
Alderman Hays reported the Carmi White County School System will have a uniformed officer in the school system starting Wednesday, March 7, 2018. Chief Jason Carter stated this has been a collaborative effort with the school board, City of Carmi, and the County Sheriff. Chief Carter stated they have come up with a plan which will run through the end of the current school year. Chief Carter stated he is hopeful that at some point in time in the near future he will be able to come back to the Council once he meets with the School Board with a long term solution for a school resource officer. For the short term, the school will be funding this at 100%.
At 6:07 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
