The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, November 1st, 2016 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, Keith Davis, Lance Yearby, Sheila Jo Headlee, Jack Lamont, Doug Hays and Mike Knight.
Minutes for the October 18th, 2016 council meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider Ordinance No. 1511, an Ordinance to set the salary of City of Carmi, Illinois Officers to be elected at the next municipal election to be held on April 4, 2017 and defining the duties of the City Clerk (Rescinding and Replacing Ordinance No. 1294, passed August 21, 2001). He explained that the Mayor and Alderman’s salaries will not be raised, but the City Clerks salary will be raised and the job descriptions and duties were also added into the Ordinance. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Davis to approve Ordinance No. 1511 as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then asked the council to consider Christmas bonuses for City employees–$60 plus $5 dollars per year longevity for full-time employees and a flat $60 for part-time employees, firemen, and EMA members will all bonuses to be paid out of Carmi Light and Water Department. Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve Christmas bonuses as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider the ongoing services of Revolution Recycling. He stated that the free month trial is up and they need to decide if they want to continue with it. If they pick it up once a month, the fee will be two hundred and fifty-one dollars ($251) a month. Alderman Headlee asked what type of contract is associated with the recycling. Mayor Pollard stated that they are not under a contract and that it is just month to month. Alderman Hays stated that they need to watch it and make sure it does not get out of hand with the costs. Several aldermen agreed to talk to the county about helping fund the dumpster. They also agreed to try it for one (1) more month to see how it goes over. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Davis to approve one (1) additional month of services with Revolution Recycling for the dumpster. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard wanted to thank everyone who helped with the activities at Burrell’s Woods for Halloween. There was a great turn out for both the movie and the events on Saturday.
He stated that November 12th is the Reindeer Run and the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant. Police Chief Jason Carter stated that they are doing something different with the Reindeer Run this year. They are having two (2) separate routes; one will be the original 5K route and the other will be an Inflatable Fun Run with different inflatables set up. He stated that he will be doing a press release later this week to remind everyone as well. He added that Chamber Director Holly Healy and he are planning on showing a free Christmas movie on November 26th at 1:00 p.m. on the other side of the Elks Lodge were the photography place used to be. They will be showing the Polar Express. The movie will be followed by the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Pollard wanted to thank the Fire Department for washing off the sidewalks on Main Street last week; they look great! The city workers are in the process of removing the walking bridges on Rice Street. One of them is dangerous so it will be removed first. They will both be replaced in the spring.
He stated that since Burrell’s Woods Campground has opened, the city has made thirty-four thousand four hundred dollars ($34,400), so the Burrell’s Woods account has forty-four thousand dollars ($44,000) in its account and the pool has twelve thousand dollars ($12,000) in its account. He added that they are not closing the campground at all this winter and he already knows of a couple people who are going to stay there thorough the winter.
Mayor Pollard stated that a POW chair from Rolling Thunder is going to be placed in Veteran’s Park at the Veteran’s Day ceremony on the 11th.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight wanted to thank the citizens that stayed around for the meeting that were here for the public hearing.
Alderman Winkelman stated that the city only gets a portion of the tax bill. Alderman Headlee stated that the City of Carmi does not levee for all the things that other communities do.
Business or Comments from Visitors
None
Mayor Pollard stated that they were supposed to go into closed session to discuss personnel issues with action to follow but they only had one (1) employee sign the bit sheet so Scott Howard was awarded that position of Assistant Foreman in the Tree Trimming Department earlier today and now there is no need for the closed session.
Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Davis to adjourn.
At 6:07 p.m. the council adjourned.
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Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
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Jeff Pollard, Mayor
Recording on Clerk’s computer: …open with Windows Media Player
Documents / My Documents / COUNCIL MEETINGS / MINUTES / 2016 / 1 NOVEMBER MIN / Council Meeting. 11.1.2016.MP3
