The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, September 15, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street.
Prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting, a public hearing was held at 5:15 p.m. regarding the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project in the Hillsdale subdivision. Mr. Jim Brown of Brown and Roberts, Inc. presided over the hearing discussing the formalities of the CDBG grant which the City of Carmi will be applying for if Resolution 091520, a council resolution of support is approved. Following the presentation, the hearing was closed out at 5:30 p.m.
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 September 1, 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”.
The August 2020 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light and Water were presented for approval. Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve the August 2020 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light and Water. Alderman Winkleman seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
The September 2020 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light and Water were presented for approval. Alderman Winkleman made a motion to approve the September 2020 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light and Water. 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
- A pay request from Brown and Roberts, Inc. for $5,053.23 for the Industrial Drive project was presented for approval. Alderman Totten made the motion to approve the pay request from Brown and Roberts, Inc. for $5,053.23. Alderman Courson seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
- Resolution No. 091520, Council Resolution of Support for the previously discussed Hillsdale project at the public hearing was presented by Mayor Pollard for approval. Alderman Headlee made a motion to approve Resolution No. 091520, Council Resolution of Support. The motion was seconded by Alderman Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
- Mayor Pollard introduced Bart King from the non-for-profit organization of We Love White County. Mr. King provided some background information as to how the organization was formed as well as their purpose. Mr. King stated the organization began after networking with different individuals who believe in our community and want to see it succeed. They gained their nonprofit status in March, about the same time COVID-19 hit. Mr. King stated the support has been overwhelming from the community. Mr. King stated the organization learned of the grant the City had received for the playground equipment and wanted to offer assistance. Mr. King stated through multiple donations to the organization, they will be paying the matching grant of $52,000 to cover the cost of the playground equipment. Mayor Pollard stated the City of Carmi will be paying for the installation of the equipment by the distributor which is approximately $36,000, which can be paid out of the TIF fund and the Parks Department if needed. Mayor Pollard went on to say that in the future, he would like to see a small stage built on the back of the lot which could host musical events etc. After a brief discussion, a motion was made by Alderman Headlee to accept the donation from We Love White County for $52,000 for the playground equipment. The motion was seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
- Keith Botsch from Botsch and Associates was present to review the findings of the Annual Financial Report as well as the Independent Auditors’ Report for the fiscal year ending December 2019. Mr. Botsch presented the following information:
- Total liabilities and fund balances $1,878,639
- Total revenues $3,615,051 with total expenditures being $3,652,945 with an ending deficit of $37,894.
- Police pension fund has a net position of $3,321,018 which includes $787,139 in investments.
- Library total revenue was $110,486 with expenditures of $118,149 which left a deficit of $7,663 but with the $20,000 transfer from the City of Carmi to the Library leaving a fund balance of $12,337.
- TIF account had total revenue of $189,965 with total expenditures of $57,911 leaving a fund balance of $132,054.
- TIF#2 account had total revenue of $43,585 with expenditures of $13,500 leaving a fund balance of $30,085,
- Economic Development had a total revenue of $14,184 with total expenditures of $90,869. After a $25,000 transfer in from the City of Carmi, there was a deficit of $51,685.
- Motor Fuel Tax had total revenues of $174,152 with expenditures of $48,734 leaving a fund balance of $125,418.
- Light Department had a total operating revenue of $7,573,760 expenditures of $6,868,007 which includes a deprecation of $239,038 leaving a operating income of $705,753.
- Water Department had a total operating revenue of $1,740,878 with operating expenses of$1,855,216 which includes a depreciation of $158,492 which left a operating loss of $114,338.
- Sewer Department had a total operating revenue of $788,769 with a total operating expense of $935,144 which included depreciation of $293,509 leaving a deficit of $146,375.
Mr. Botsch stated, “Overall the governmental funds are in good shape. Depending on the State of Illinois, we are hoping to be able to cut the Police Pension Fund back and not levy as much to this account. Of course, this is all contingent on the State of Illinois as they set the levy amounts for this fund.” Mr. Botsch said the levy’s will be passed at the December council meeting with the same 5% increase as in the years past.
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard stated the recycling day which was held September 12th was another success.
Some of the dog equipment has been installed at the dog park along with surveillance cameras. The park is not completed so we ask if you go to the dog park, please be careful as the City of Carmi is not responsible for any accidents or injuries.
Mayor Pollard also stated since the last council meeting, there have been different organizations asking if they can hold their own Trunk-or-Treat on their own property. “From the City aspect, we have to follow the Governors orders for social distancing and 50 or less people in a gathering. Cynthia and I made the decision to cancel the City’s events based on this as well as the fact of everyone’s hands would be in the candy bowls.” He went on to state the City cannot stop other organizations from hosting a Trunk-or-Treat on their own private property if they choose to do so.
Adjournment
At 6:00 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
