The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, September 19, 2017, at 5:15 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street for the purpose of a public hearing regarding rezoning as business property 1107 West Oak Street and 304 Fairground Road. The hearing was opened by Mayor Pollard. Jim Whetstone from Martin and Bayley was present and discussed they are wanting to purchase the property located at 304 Fairground Road which is next to the current Huck’s Store for purposes of expanding. Alderman Nelson asked if they had already purchased the property. Mr. Whetstone stated they had not but they had a signed contract. There were no other questions or comments. The hearing adjourned at 5:17 p.m.
At 5:30 p.m. the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting was called to order. Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Hays to give the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Aldermen present: Mark W. Blake, Lance Yearby, Sheila Jo Headlee, Doug Hays, Mike Knight, Tracy Nelson, and Jack Lamont. Alderman Steve Winkleman was absent.
Minutes from the September 5, 2017, council meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to approve the August 2017 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve the August 2017 Financial reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to approve and authorize September 2017 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. Alderman Knight made a motion to approve the September 2017 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and the Light & Water Departments. Alderman Headlee seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented Ordinance 1533: An amendment to zoning ordinance #778 for the City of Carmi, Illinois for Huck’s #142 at 1107 West Oak Street and 304 Fairground Road. Motion was made by Alderman Hays to approve Ordinance 1533: An amendment to zoning ordinance #778 for the City of Carmi, Illinois for Huck’s #142 at 1107 West Oak Street and 304 Fairground Road. Alderman Headlee seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented the Illinois Department of Transportation Supplemental Resolution for Preliminary Engineering Costs of Burrell Street Project. Mayor Pollard explained the original resolution which was passed in May of 2015 did not include costs for the preliminary engineering and they were paid out of the MFT fund for this project. This resolution needs to be passed so that IDOT has the required documentation that all MFT costs were properly authorized by the Council. Alderman Headless made the motion to approve the Illinois
Department of Transportation Supplemental Resolution for Preliminary Engineering Costs of Burrell Street Project. Alderman Lamont seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answer “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented Joe Neidig and Sherry Bingman from Tri-State Community Clinics (TSCC) to the council for consideration and approval for health and wellness services. Mr. Neidig explained how TSCC started, what role it plays in healthcare, how it functions, and how it could potentially benefit the City of Carmi. Mr. Neidig stated he and Mrs. Bingman had several meetings with Mayor Pollard, Clerk Attebury, Alderman Winkleman, Alderman Headlee as well as several other interested employers from the Tri-State. He stated they are in negotiations with approximately seven other local employers, three of which they have signed contracts from. This would be a local clinic staffed by a nurse practitioner and nurse for employees and families of the participating employers to receive routine healthcare as well as sick visits at no cost to the employee for the visit as well as most medications. For example, if an employee were to come to the clinic for a sore throat, they would be in and out within 20 minutes with their medication in hand. The philosophy is for employees to be in and out of the clinic for a “sick” visit within 20 minutes, which will cut down on time away from work. They will also be doing Health Risk Assessments (HRAs) which is a screening for employees to have done to potentially prevent major health problems. The potential savings for the first year for the City of Carmi could be approximately $61,618.00 with 85% utilization. The start-up period for the clinic is approximately 9-12 weeks. During that time frame, all employers will be informed of the progress of the clinic as well as starting the education process for all employees on how the clinic functions. Each employer will pay a set amount of money per employee per year for participation in the program.
Jeremy Billington, our representative from Mutual Medical Insurance, was present as well. He stated from his standpoint, everything is positive. Jeremy stated that Mutual Medical’s philosophy for over 40 years has been if we can find another available payer that gives your employees better access, better care, at lower costs; we are all for it. I think it will be slow at first but once the employees catch on, they will be all for it when they realize they can see a provider at no cost to them and pick up medications free. We are looking at it as those are claims that are not going to be run through the healthcare plan so it will actually improve the healthcare plan and help drive some of that cost down while still giving the employees better access and better care.
After discussion, motion was made by Alderman Headlee to approve entering into a two-year contract with Tri-State Community Clinic’s (TSCC) for Health and Wellness Services. Alderman Hays seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
The Mayor thanked Greg Brown and his employees of Brown Feed and Chemical for all the hard work they put into the preparation for the fly in. We had a good, steady flow of visitors to enjoy the food, car and airplane show, as well as the entertainment.
As a reminder, October 2, 2017, will be the annual Chamber Dinner. The weekend of October 13th and 14th will be the annual Corn Day festival.
I am pleased to announce that Burrell Campground is full for the Halloween event scheduled for October 20th and 21st.
Finally, I would like to thank all of the City Employees who worked on the Main Street Project. It is complete and everyone worked hard and in a timely fashion. They have done an awesome job.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight thanked Carmi Township Road Commissioner, Chris McEwing, and his staff for their work on the road to Burrell Park. He also wanted to thank everyone for the cards, visits, thoughts and prayers during his recent surgery.
Alderman Headlee wanted to thank the City for the flowers, food, thoughts, and prayers during the recent passing of her husband, Tom.
Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Lamont to adjourn. Motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
At 6:14 p.m. the council adjourned.
Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
