The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, September 1, 2020, 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 August 18, 2020, council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Courson to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval
- Jim Brown from Brown and Roberts Inc. was introduced to present a possible 2020 CGBD Public Infrastructure Grant Application. Mr. Brown stated the City of Carmi did not receive the grant for the Fast Track Illinois but we have not heard regarding the Rebuild Illinois grant. The CGBD Grant has a maximum amount of $525,000. The City would be responsible for the engineering fees. These funds would be for the waterlines for the Hillsdale area project. The City would be committing approximately $115,000 for this project. Mr. Roberts stated there would have to be a public hearing for this grant as well. Mr. Brown was asked if there were any other grants available for this project and Mr. Brown stated Rural Development did have a grant but the CGBD offered the lowest amount the City would have to contribute. He stated the City cost would be approximately 15-20%. He went on to state this project would require the road to be tore up and possibly the repair of the road could be paid out of TIF funds. Alderman Totten stated he believes the City should apply for the grant in order to continue the upgrades and improvements in the City. With no further discussion, Alderman Hays made a motion to allow Brown and Roberts, Inc. to apply for the CGBD Grant for the City of Carmi. The motion was seconded by Alderman Totten. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
- Mayor Pollard stated the existing loan at First Bank from the closing of the Revolving Loan Project is up for renewal. The loan was originally for $400,000 when it originated two years ago. He stated the City used two $200,000 CDs for collateral on the loan. Mayor Pollard stated he had met with treasurer Patty Evans as well as Clerk Attebury regarding the best option for the loan renewal. Mayor Pollard stated “instead of freeing up a CD, we would like to refinance the loan for $400,000 to give the City some extra operating cash during this trying time from the pandemic.” Alderman Headlee made a motion to renew the existing loan for $400,000 at First Bank. The motion was seconded by Alderman Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
- The pay request for Samron Midwest Contracting for $29,007.03 was presented for approval on the Industrial Drive project on the DCEO grant. Alderman Totten made a motion to approve the pay request to Samron Midwest Contracting for $29,007.03. The motion was seconded by Alderman Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard announced the City will be having another electronic recycling event on Saturday, September 12th from 9 a.m. till noon. CJD E-Cycling request you wear a mask but they will unload your vehicle for you.
An ITEP grant has become available within the last two weeks for infrastructure upgrades in areas with low to moderate income and health care within the City. Mayor Pollard stated he had reached out to Brown and Roberts for engineering and grant work for the sidewalks in Industrial Park on Commerce Street, Falcon and College Avenue. “This would be 80% federal funding with a 20% local funding. Depending on the score we receive, we could even qualify for more Federal funding” stated Mayor Pollard. The local funds can come from Motor Fuel Tax or even TIF. The application has to be filed by November 2nd. This grant will require a special hearing sometime between now and November.
Mayor Pollard stated “due to the COVID pandemic and state guidelines, Cynthia and I are sad to announce the City will not be having the Halloween activities at Burrell Park this year. Truck or Treat will also be cancelled.”
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Headlee stated the painted electrical boxes throughout the City of Carmi look really nice. Mayor Pollard stated Niki Lamont had done those and will be finishing the rest next year.
Adjournment
At 5:49 p.m. Alderman Headlee made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Alderman Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
