A public hearing for Truth and Taxation was held at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 19, 2019, in the White County Courthouse. Approximately 70 people were in attendance. Various questions were asked by the public. The hearing concluded at 6:45 p.m.
The regularly scheduled council meeting followed the hearing beginning at 6:50 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 November 5, 2019, council meeting were presented. Alderman Hays made a motion to approve the November 5, 2019, council meeting minutes as presented. Alderman Knight seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
The October 2019 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light & Water were presented to the council for consideration. A motion was made by Alderman Headlee for approval of the October 2019 Financial Reports. The motion was seconded by Alderman Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
The vendor invoices November 2019 for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light & Water were presented for approval. A motion was made by Alderman Winkleman to approve the November 2019 vendor invoices. The motion was seconded by Alderman Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
For Council Consideration, discussion, and possible approval
Alderman Hays stated the jail committee had recently met to discuss the budget. The City pays for ½ of the expenses. Last year approximately $450,000 was budgeted. He stated there was going to be approximately $130,000 available to go back into the budget due to cutting expenditures as well as funds from municipalities who had not paid in the past. Alderman Blake stated he was not in favor of the 25% increase. Alderman Hays continued to urge citizens to shop local as that money feeds back to the City through sales tax. Alderman Hays stated he was inclined to do the 5% increase to see where we are at next year. Alderman Headlee stated she would rather raise the taxes more now so next year we do not have to raise them even more. She stated hopefully by that time, we would now what the state of Illinois is doing with the downstate pensions. Alderman Headlee stated her vote would be for the 15%. Keith Botsch said raising 5% will only give us approximately 2 years and 15% will get us to approximately 5 years funding for the Police Pension Fund. Alderman Winkleman stated he would like to go at least 15% and begin holding budget meetings with each department, trimming as much as possible. After discussion the following was recommended:
Ordinance #1556, an ordinance for the levy and assessment of property tax by the City of Carmi Illinois for the fiscal year commencing the 1st day of January 2019 and ending the 31st day of December 2019. Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve Ordinance #1556, an ordinance for the levy and assessment of property tax by the City of Carmi Illinois for the fiscal year commencing the 1st day of January 2019 and ending the 31st day of December 2019. The motion was seconded by Alderman Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Ordinance #1557, an ordinance abating the 2019 tax levy for the payment of the City of Carmi, White County Illinois general obligation bonds, series 2011A was presented for approval. Alderman Headlee explained that most cities and villages have bonds that they owe people and the City of Carmi has always abated these and not put this burden on the taxpayers as well. Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve ordinance #1557, an ordinance abating the 2019 tax levy for the payment of the City of Carmi, White County Illinois, general obligation bonds, series 2011A. The motion was seconded by Alderman Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Ordinance #1558, an ordinance abating the 2019 tax levy for the payment of the City of Carmi, White County Illinois, general obligation bonds, series 2011B. Alderman Blake made a motion to approve ordinance #1558, an ordinance abating the 2019 tax levy for the payment of the City of Carmi, White County Illinois, general obligation bonds, series 2011B. The motion was seconded by Alderman Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
The pay request to White Technologies, Inc in the amount of $74,500 for the sludge bed CGBD grant was presented for approval. Alderman Blake made a motion to approve the pay request for White Technologies, Inc. in the amount of $74,500 for the sludge bed CGBD grant. Alderman Hays seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
David Coston, City Engineer, was present to discuss engine #11. Mr. Coston done a brief review to bring the public up to date. Mr. Coston stated at the last meeting, he recommended not fixing generator #11; however, after receiving additional information, “we have other options”. Mr. Coston stated he had been contacted that there are two 2019 Caterpillar 2750KW diesel generators for sale (the City only needs one). These are new units and come with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty and are ready to be shipped. The size is very comparable to generator #11. Mr. Coston stated there are some modifications that would need to be made at the Light Plant if the council decided to proceed in this direction. This would allow us to keep the IMEA rebate credits. The estimated cost of the engine and installation is approximately $700,000. He stated that some of the parts from generator #11 could be sold to help off-set the cost. The estimate from Cooper Machinery ranges from $650,000 to $886,835, depending on the scope of work. Mr. Coston will be meeting with IMEA at their December 4, 2019 meeting. Mr. Coston proposed to the Council they authorize him to notify IMEA that engine #11 will be removed from the fleet permanently and begin offering the sale of usable parts, continue to research the feasibility of purchasing and installing a new generator as described above, and continue reviewing options for upgrading the cooling towers. Alderman Winkleman made a motion to not fix generator #11 and allow David Coston, City Engineer, to continue researching the feasibility of purchasing a new generator unit as described above. The motion was seconded by Alderman Hays. The motion carried on roll call be each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard encouraged all residents to attend the Council Meetings in order to have input on matters.
Adjournment
At 7:20 p.m. Alderman Courson made a motion to return adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderman Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
