MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
November 3, 2014
The Carmi City Council met Monday November 3rd, 2014 at 7:00 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 Steve 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, Kenny Carter, Sheila Jo Headlee, Doug Hays, Jack Lamont and Mike Knight.
Minutes for the October 21st, 2014 Council Meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Winkleman 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. 1480, the Annual Property Tax Levy for the fiscal year January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014 presented by City CPA Keith Botsch. Mr. Botsch stated that the total levy would be in the amount of four hundred and forty eight thousand three hundred and sixty six dollars ($448,366). Motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve the Ordinance as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mr. Botsch then asked the council to consider Ordinance No. 1481, Abating the 2014 Tax Levy for Payment of General Obligation Bonds, Series 2011A and Certificate of Abatement. Motion was made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Knight to approve the Ordinance as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mr. Botsch also asked the council to consider Ordinance No. 1482, Abating the 2014 Tax Levy for Payment and General Obligation Bonds, Series 2011B and Certificate of Abatement. Motion was made by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Lamont to pass the Ordinance as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider a resolution to appropriate seventeen thousand five hundred dollars ($17,500) of Motor Fuel Tax funds for the purpose of maintaining streets and highways under the applicable provisions of the Illinois Highway Code from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. He stated that the city was under budget on the Dairy Queen Ditch Project until they got started on it and things went up and that the city still owes O’Daniels and LAMAC Engineering seventeen thousand five hundred dollars ($17,500). Motion was made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve the resolution as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then asked the council to consider Christmas bonuses for the City employees in the amount of sixty dollars ($60) plus five dollars ($5) per year longevity for full-time employees and a flat sixty dollars ($60) for part-time employees and EMA members to be paid out of Carmi Light & Water Department. Motion was made by Alderman Lamont and seconded by Alderman Davis to approve the Christmas bonuses for the City employees as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then presented M & F LLC to present plans for a restaurant and to request liquor licenses for the restaurant. Frankie Curtis stated that they want to run the restaurant out of the old Nik’s Ivy building. The restaurant would cater to late night eaters. Mayor Pollard asked if they would need any money out of the revolving loan fund; Mrs. Curtis answered that they would not need any. She also stated that they would purchase the building and that parking would be allowed by Rent One in the back. Alderman Hays explained that the council does not decide whether or not they get the liquor license. He went on to say that the council just makes the rules and limitations. Alderman Hays also read the city’s definition of a restaurant. Mrs. Curtis stated that they will employee up to ten (10) people six (6) days a week. Alderman Hays then explained that the council has three (3) choices; to do nothing, extend Class B liquor licenses because all of the Class B licenses are used up, or re-do the bowling alley license which will never be used. Mayor Pollard stated that he wants to put a new rule for the liquor licenses that states you have six (6) months to be up and running or the license is surrendered back to the city. He said that they can redo the bowling alley license or create a new license. Mayor Pollard said that at the council meeting on the 18th it could be voted on. Alderman Hays commented that he does not understand limiting a license because of free trade. Alderman Davis asked if they were planning on getting gaming machines there; Mrs. Curtis answered that they might in the future but not in the beginning. Alderman Davis questioned if the restaurant will cater to families; Mrs. Curtis answered yes. Mayor Pollard commented that the bar cannot be visible and needs to have a wall up around it where the family eating area and bar are separate. Alderman Knight asked if they lived in Carmi; Mrs. Curtis answered that they live in Phillipstown. Several Aldermen agreed that a liquor license holder has to live within the city limits. Mayor Pollard asked the council again what they want to do. Alderman Winkleman commented that he thinks they should table it until they get some of the liquor ordinances figured out. Alderman Headlee agreed because it is hard to tell her no she cannot have a license because she does not live here but there are people who currently hold licenses who do not live within the city limits. Alderman Hays asked if Mrs. Curtis’ current employer knows that she is pursuing this; Mrs. Curtis answered that they did because she has been pursuing this for five (5) years. Alderman Hays added that he does not want it to affect her current job because she works for a liquor serving establishment currently. Alderman Davis asked when they would be open; they responded that they would like to be open in a month or two. 2-B license could be given, but they need to change the ordinance. Alderman Winkleman stated that he sees it not as a nice restaurant, but a bar with snacks. That is the reason why there is a stipulation of fifty percent (50%) sales from food for all restaurants. Alderman Carter asked if it was just a bar for 21 and over; Mrs. Curtis stated that it would not be. Motion was made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Carter to table the M & F LLC request for a liquor license. 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 was involved in the fly in at the airport on Saturday the 25th. They had a great turn out and everyone really enjoyed it. He also wanted to thank everyone who helped organize and patrol at Burrell’s Woods for the Halloween events. Mayor Pollard also thanked Holly Healy and the Chamber of Commerce for all her hard work with the Halloween events. It was a huge success and they have talked about hosting a spring event around Easter with an Easter egg hunt.
Mayor Pollard reminded everybody not to burn their leaves in the street. He then reminded everyone that they need a building permit to put up fences or do any kind of construction work.
Mayor Pollard wanted to remind everybody to go out and vote tomorrow (11/4/14).
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight commented that the girls’ softball field is being re-done like the bronco field was done last year at Bradshaw Park. The city will provide some labor.
Alderman Hays stated that officers Agee and Beam probation period is ending and they are doing a good job.
Alderman Lamont said that Jim Renshaw ordered salt for the roads and that the salt is increasing in price.
Alderman Headlee commented that two (2) Indianapolis police deputies were in town last week and they thought that Carmi was a very nice town.
Alderman Davis told the council that all AquaLine repairs are going well and has been used by ten (10) people.
Business or Comments from Visitors
None
Motion was made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Carter to go into closed session with action to follow. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 7: 40 p.m. council went into closed session.
Motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Blake to return to open session. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 9:12 p.m. the council returned into open session.
Motion was made by Alderman Carter and seconded by Alderman Davis to promote Don Davis to Assistant Foreman at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes” with the exception of Alderman Jack Lamont who voted no.
Motion was made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Headlee to hire Cheryl Burnett as meter reader. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes” with the exception of Alderman Mark Blake who passed on his vote.
Motion was made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Carter to adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 9:15 p.m. the council adjourned.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
