The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, November 17th, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street, Carmi, Illinois.
Prior to opening the council meeting, Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Winkleman to give the invocation. The prayer was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Keith Davis, Lane Yearby, Sheila Jo Headlee, Jack Lamont, Doug Hays and Mike Knight.
Minutes for the November 3rd, 2015 council meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
October 2015 Financial Reports were presented. Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Davis to approve the financial reports as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
November 2015 Vendor Invoices were presented. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve the vendor invoices as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider Ordinance No. 1490, the Annual Property Tax Levy for the fiscal year January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 presented by City CPA Keith Botsch. Mr. Botsch stated four hundred sixty nine thousand four hundred and eighty five dollars ($469,485) is being levied. There will be a point five percent (0.5%) tax raise from last year. Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve Ordinance No. 1490 as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes” with Alderman Yearby voting “no.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider Ordinance No. 1491, Abating the 2015 Tax Levy for Payment of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2011A and Certificate of Abatement. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Knight to approve Ordinance No. 1491 as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider Ordinance No 1492, Abating the 2015 Tax Levy for Payment of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2011B and Certificate of Abatement. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve Ordinance No. 1492 as presented. The motion carried on roll call by Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then presented Heather Price to ask the council to approve her application for a loan from the city’s revolving loan fund to HJP Properties, LLC for the Taco Factory, LLC. Sandra Irvine stated that the total project is over a half a million dollars. First Bank is going to be investing over three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000). Her loan request is for one hundred and twenty five thousand dollars ($125,000) for equipment and working capital. There is around two hundred thirty eight thousand dollars ($238,000) is the revolving loan fund now. The interest rate is fixed at three percent (3%). Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Headlee to approve the revolving loan fund application as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard wanted to thank Mike Knight for accepting the position of Board Member for the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission. He will be serving as the representative for the City of Carmi.
He wanted to give an update on the fire department situation. Earlier this year the council was supposed to vote on the council appointing the positions of assistant fire chief, secretary, and treasurer. During that session, the council had not been given the proper by-laws to vote on the position so they tabled it. A couple of weeks ago, he met with City Attorney Greg Stewart, Jim Totten, and Fire Chief Larry Hite. During that meeting, Mr. Stewart explained what procedures need to be done to clear up the problem. He has be notified by Jim Totten that the fire department had a meeting and voted on keeping the by-laws with Article V and that they will continue to have their own election for officers every year. He will leave it up to the council whether or not they want to pursue the issue of falsifying information.
Mayor Pollard also wanted to explain the parking situation on Robinson Street. He stated that there is no parking there from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. while school is in session during the calendar year. He added that on Robinson Street from Rice Street all the way to Slocomb Street, on the north side, is no parking at all, all the time. He commented that they are going to order new No Parking signs with the times on them so there is no confusion.
He wanted to remind everyone that the Reindeer Run is this Saturday, November 21 at 10:00 a.m. and the Christmas Parade is next Saturday, November 28 at 6:00 p.m. with the arrival of Santa Claus. He also wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Headlee stated that there are forty (40) taxing districts in White County and they all approved the max without a truth in taxation hearing of one hundred and five percent (105%).
Alderman Yearby asked about the milling on Montgomery Circle. Supervisor Buckman noted he was waiting on Brent Edwards of O’Daniels Trucking to get with him on a schedule. Mayor Pollard explained it would be looked at during next year’s budget. He also asked about the trees on College Blvd. Mayor Pollard commented that he was not sure we he stood on that decision.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Citizen Doug Redman stated that there are signs on Robinson Street that state No Parking. Mayor Pollard stated that is why the city needs to replace them with No Parking signs that have times on them. He added that he watches vehicles drive the wrong way down that street all day. Mayor Pollard stated that they need to have a discussion about Robinson Street being a one way or no parking.
Citizen Dean Carter questioned who purchased Phoenix. Mayor Pollard stated that they are an outfit out of New York. City Clerk Brian Allen read from the WROY article that the purchasers of Phoenix were Metz Holdings, Boruch Sheps, Caim Millman and Avraham Eebilch. Citizen Bill Sneed questioned why the city did not turn off the power. Mayor Pollard explained they legally could not just turn off the power because of the residents staying there.
Motion made by Alderman Blake and seconded by Alderman Davis to adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 6:01 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 / 2015 / 17 NOVEMBER MIN / Council Meeting. 11.17.2015.MP3
