The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, May 21, 2019, 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, Tracy Nelson, James Totten, Jeremy Courson, Sheila Jo Headlee, Mike Knight, and Doug Hays.
The minutes from the May 7, 2019, council meeting were presented for approval. Motion was made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
The April 2019 Financial Reports for City and Light and Water were presented for approval. Motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Courson to approve the April 2019 Financial Reports for City and Light and Water. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes”.
The May 2019 vendor invoices for City and Light and Water were presented for approval. Motion was made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the May 2019 vendor invoices for City and Light and Water. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes”.
For Council Consideration, discussion, and possible approval
A Façade Improvement Grant application was presented for Botsch & Associates located at 109 East Main Street. The project will include building a new awning to match 111, 113, and 115 East Main Street awnings and painting and repairing the front of the building. Estimated project costs will be approximately $10,000. Sandra Irvine explained that Mr. Botsch was eligible to receive façade improvements funds since it had been over 24 months from his previous façade improvement grant award for the building across the street from city hall. Irvine explained that since the council approved a new façade improvement program, the project would have to be completed and receipts submitted for a 50% reimbursement up to a maximum of $5,000.00. A motion was made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the façade improvement grant for Botsch & Associates up to $5,000.00. The motion carried on roll call with all Aldermen present answering “yes”.
A Façade Improvement Grant application was presented for Main Street Café, Fadil Jusufi located at 214 East Main Street. The project will include new signage, new door, repairing the roof and improving the front of the building with metal. Receipts must be submitted after completion for a reimbursement of 50% up to a maximum of $5,000.00 A motion was made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Headlee to approve the façade improvement grant for Main Street Café up to $5,000.00. The motion carried on roll call with all Aldermen present answering “yes”.
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard stated that he would like to congratulate Issie Bryant on her accomplishments! On Monday, May 14, Congressman John Shimkus was at the Carmi-White County High School to announce that Issie had won the Congressional Art Contest for Congressional District 15. Her artwork of her late grandfather, Richard Gates will hang for a year in Washington, D. C. on the tunnel wall connecting the Cannon Office Building to the Capitol Building.
Mayor Pollard also thanked the 7th grade class for volunteering yesterday morning to work at Veterans’ Park, Burrell Woods and the dog pound. They all worked very hard at pulling weeds, picking up trash and walking some dogs.
Mayor Pollard stated that there will be a scheduled power outage tomorrow at 8:00 a.m., depending on the weather. It is expected to be out for 2 to 5 hours while they change a pole. Areas effected will be the 1300 block of Oak, Gilpin, Woodlawn and Lexington.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight wanted to inform the council that he planned to be out for 14 days on vacation.
Alderman Blake expressed his thanks for sidewalk work that is being completed in the City. Mayor Pollard pointed out that there was still a lot more to be done.
Adjournment
At 5:40 p.m. Alderman Courson made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried with all Aldermen present answering “aye”. Meeting was adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Sandra Irvine for Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
