MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
October 8, 2013
The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 5:30 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 followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Keith Davis, Kenny Carter, Mike Knight, Doug Hays, Jack Lamont and Sheila Jo Headlee.
Minutes for the September 16, 2013 council meeting were presented. A motion was made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard introduced Mr. David Andreas and Mr. Jeremy Billington with Mutual Medical Plans, Inc. to discuss the ACP (Affordable Care Plan) for the City of Carmi Health Care Plan. Mr. Andreas gave the following information:
- Will save money for the group plan that employers provide to employees.
- Will save out of pocket expenses for employees that are covered on the group plan.
- There are no employee premium contributions and is guaranteed issue.
- There is no deductible, co-pay or co-insurance.
- There is no annual or lifetime expense limits.
- There are no pre-existing condition limits.
- Identify members of the group plan that will have a high cost condition and move them from the group plan to the “ACP.”
- Members will be able to pick any available health care plan at no cost to them.
- Will be able to shift that cost and risk from the City of Carmi Health Care Plan to “ACP.”
Alderman Headlee inquired if the employee would find their own insurance plan or would Mutual Medical help them? Mr. Andreas noted that they would assist the employees in finding the proper coverage. Alderman Headlee inquired if after a high cost surgery or illness could the employees choose to come back on the City of Carmi Health Care Plan the following year? Mr. Andreas noted that “yes” they could if they were to be completely removed from the high cost surgery or illness. Alderman Lamont commented that if an employee had an accident they wouldn’t have time to check for a policy on the “exchange.” Mr. Andreas noted that it would be difficult under those circumstances to move an employee member to the “ACP.” Alderman Davis inquired of how long an employee should wait to be moved to the “ACP?” Mr. Andreas noted that by the fifteenth (15th) of any month it will be in effect by the first (1st) of the following month. Alderman Winkleman inquired if Mutual Medical would recommend a particular policy to the employees and he is concerned that they will pick a plan with a smaller deductible? Mr. Andreas noted that it would be up to the employee to choose which plan they were to be enrolled into and that the cost would even out due to the premium savings to the City of Carmi no matter what deductible they choose. Alderman Headlee questioned if the employee had the final say to what plan they were enrolled into? Mr. Andreas commented that he felt it was very important to allow the employee to be comfortable with the plan they chose for themselves. Mr. Andreas noted that the City of Carmi Health Care Plan is on track with 2010 costs and that year was the lowest year to date for the City of Carmi.
Mayor Pollard presented Ordinance No. 1470, an ordinance prohibiting the use of groundwater as a Potable Water Supply by the installation or use of Potable Water Supply Wells or by any other method for Alysworth Oil Company. No comments or questions were expressed by the alderman regarding the proposed ordinance. A motion by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Carter to approve Ordinance No. 1470 as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented for discussion the closing of South Main Cross Street from Main Street to the alley from November 18th, 2013 to January 8th, 2013 (depending on weather) for placement of the Santa house and Christmas train. Alderman Carter questioned what options were available for placement of the decorations. Mayor Pollard explained that it was no longer feasible to place the decorations in the City Park due to the new landscaping that had been completed. Alderman Carter and Alderman Hays commented that it was too long a time to have that street closed and they had received some complaints on the closure last year. Mayor Pollard agreed that they all had received some complaints last year. Alderman Hays commented that he had spoken with Mr. Kevin Gire of Gire Truck Repair Center and shutting the street down puts him out of business for those two months. Alderman Hays noted that he did not want to cripple a business for that length of time. Alderman Headlee inquired if the Senior Citizens would allow the city to use its parking lot? All agreed that the Senior Citizens use their parking lot on regular basis. Alderman Winkleman questioned if the Christmas Train could be put on the city sidewalk? Mayor Pollard replied that the Christmas Train could be put on the sidewalk it was the Santa House that was the problem due to its age and the landscaping. Mr. Camen Passmore gave a suggestion of using Bradshaw Park. Mayor Pollard replied that it would be too far away from Main Street and they really would like to keep the decorations downtown. Mayor Pollard suggested that maybe the former Razzles convenience store parking lot might be a good location and had been purchased by Withers that own Wroy / Wrul. Mayor Pollard made a suggestion to table the decision until more information could be gathered. A motion by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Blake to table the closing of South Main Cross Street for the Santa House and Christmas Train. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented for council consideration the closing of Robinson Street between Jessup Street and Church Street on the evening of October 31, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the Carmi Ministerial Association to hold a Halloween event. Alderman Hays noted that it would be a good idea considering all the children that would be in the area on Halloween night. A motion by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Blake to close Robinson Street on October 31, 2013 as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented for discussion the changing of 7th Street between Oak Street and Crebs Avenue to a One Way Street or No Parking Zone during school hours only. Mayor Pollard explained that traffic becomes congested and it is unsafe for the parents and children during drop off or pickup at the pre-kindergarten school. Alderman Headlee inquired if there had been any discussion with the school as to using the alley for drop off and pickup? Mayor Pollard noted that if it were possible to use the alley then it would have to be One Way as well. Alderman Carter noted that he would rather make the alley One Way rather than 7th Street One Way and it would be difficult to make 7th Street One Way part of the time. Alderman Davis agreed that if it were to be a One Way street it would need to be One Way all the time and not part of the time. Mayor Pollard noted that Lincoln School has a One Way and it is only during school hours. Alderman Davis inquired of the condition of the alley? Alderman Headlee replied that she had been there to look the situation over and the alley was in “good shape.” Alderman Winkleman inquired of why the pre-kindergarten did not already use the alley? Alderman Headlee noted that she did not know at this time but would find out why they did not use the alley. Alderman Carter thought it might be better suited to do No Parking during school hours rather than One Way. Alderman Hays and Alderman Winkleman believe it would be more difficult for the residents and employees of the school to deal with No Parking. The council agreed to gather more information and bring their findings back to a future council meeting.
Mayor Pollard presented for discussion the moving or removing of the stop sign at Sycamore Street and Hillsdale Avenue. Mayor Pollard noted that he had received several complaints mostly in the winter months concerning the stop sign. Alderman Lamont noted that during former Mayor Jimmy Gaines term there was a petition passed around concerning putting a stop sign in at Hillsdale because of speeding vehicles and there were approximately 25 to 30 signatures turned in. Mayor Pollard replied that if it a speeding issue that originated the placement of the stop sign then the stop sign should be moved to the corner of Sycamore Street and Illinois Street. Alderman Hays inquired how many blocks there were from Hillsdale Avenue and Illinois Street. Mayor Pollard replied that it was only two (2) blocks. Alderman Headlee noted that the only problem she sees with the stop sign is when coming up from Hillsdale Avenue, you have to stop anyway there and the incline going East on Sycamore Street can be a problem. Alderman Winkleman noted that he remembers questioning the stop sign being placed at Sycamore Street because of it being placed on a hill and should have been put at Illinois Street at the bottom of the hill. The council agreed to gather more information and bring their findings back to a future council meeting.
Report and/or Updates from Mayor Pollard
- Mayor Pollard thanked Mike Knight and his Community Service crew for helping the Parks Department with cleaning up and weed eating the cemeteries.
- The Mayor also thanked all those who attended the Carmi Chamber of Commerce dinner on October 7th; they had a great turn out.
- The Mayor gave notice that Trick or Treat hours would be from 5:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 31st.
- Corn Day will be starting on Friday, October 11th, public notice that Main Street will be shut down at 3 p.m. on Friday and IDOT will not have Oak Street open in time for Corn Day. Reminder to everyone that with traffic being heavier than normal and with all of the re-routes to be patient and cautious while driving, suggest leaving earlier to arrive at your destination on time. During the parade on Saturday, October 12th traffic will be re-routed to 9th Street so there will be no parking on that street during the parade and there will be someone directing traffic at the corner of 9th Street and Oak Street along with the corner of 9th Street and Main Street.
- Oil Field Electric will be installing a pole and switch at the Bradshaw substation in the near future. The project had previously been approved by the prior administration and got lost in the shuffle. The cost of the project will be $19,653.15. City Supervisor Mike Buckman noted that the project would begin as soon as the weather started staying cool because the city would have to generate its own power during that time and the project would take approximately a week.
Reports from Standing Committees
- Alderman Knight commented that Burrell’s Woods camp ground did have several campers and one tent camper recently, due to rain the numbers were down.
Business or Comments from Visitors
- Visitor Star Dunn had a question about the City of Carmi Health Care Plan’s ACP, what it meant to “table” an agenda item and what a standing committee was. She and four other classmates had attended the Council Meeting for a college class they were participating in.
- Chief of Police Randy Hamblin commented about concerns he had about the upcoming Corn Day celebration. It will be very important for the public to cooperate with the No Parking on 9th Street and will allow them to expedite traffic through the detours. Safety is the Police Departments number one concern and hopes everyone will have a safe and successful festival.
- Visitor Cayman Passmore noted that a lot of high school band members usually park on 9th Street to return to their vehicles after the parade and should be notified that there will be No Parking there. Mayor Pollard replied that the band members could still park in the high school parking lot. Chief Hamblin noted local people would know where to park; it was the people from out of town that would not know where to park.
Motion by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Davis to go into closed session for the purpose of discussing personnel and property issues with no action to follow. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
At 6:08 p.m. council went into closed session.
Motion Made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Davis to return to open session and adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
At 7:27 p.m. council adjourned.
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Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
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Jeff Pollard, Mayor