City of Carmi
The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, September 1st, 2015 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. The prayer was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Keith Davis, Lance Yearby, Sheila Jo Headlee, Jack Lamont, Doug Hays and Mike Knight.
Minutes for the August 18th, 2015 council meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Lamont and seconded by Alderman Hays to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then presented City Supervisor Mike Buckman on behalf of The Street and Alley Department Committee to ask approval to purchase a concrete saw. Mr. Buckman stated that the new saw would cut eight point eight (8.8) inches deep. He said that the old saw is out of commission and very old. Alderman Headless commented that the new saw is not in the budget and that they need to find the money from somewhere else. Mayor Pollard said that it would be split between the Water Department and the Street Department. No one locally can provide the saw. Motion made by Alderman Lamont and seconded by Alderman Hays to purchase the new concrete saw for six thousand five hundred dollars ($6,500). The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider the contract bids for mowing and maintenance of city property. He stated that Pat Owen’s bid was two hundred and eighty three dollars ($283), Danny Allen’s bid was five hundred and forty five dollars ($545), Scott Howard’s bid was three hundred dollars ($300), and Zach Allen’s bid was nine hundred dollars ($900). Alderman Winkleman asked if the yards would have to be done every week. Mayor Pollard stated that they would be done as needed. Motion made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to approve Pat Owen’s bid of two hundred and eighty three dollars. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard then stated that The Parks and Cemetery Department Committee will ask approval to purchase a new security camera system for Bradshaw Park. He commented that he brought up the issue after the stabbing that took place in the park in early August and that he had some figures estimated for a new security camera system. Alderman Headlee stated that they need to revamp the placement of the cameras if they get approved. Mayor Pollard stated that the cameras can be moved around to wherever the council wants. He added that they are going to keep the cameras that are already there and move them to new places because they are the ones that have audio on them. The new cameras are high resolution so that they can take pictures of license plates. He said that they can go ahead and get the nine (9) cameras and then add on to them later. Alderman Hays asked how many cameras are currently there; City Clerk Brian Allen answered that there are six (6). Police Chief Jason Carter commented that the company who installs the cameras is great to work with. Motion made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Headlee to approve the bid for nine (9) cameras from JK Computers for fourteen thousand two hundred dollars ($14,200). The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard informed the council that Christina Lee of Midway BBQ is requesting a beer and wine liquor license. He stated that the China House gave up their beer license so the city has an available beer license. He said that they need no titles attached to the licenses, so the request would be for beer and wine. Mayor Pollard then explained that the city ordinance and the state regulations are different. The state regulation says that you only have to be eighteen (18) to serve alcohol, but the city ordinance states that you have to be twenty one (21). Mrs. Lee would have the correct aged staff to serve at all times. She is looking to expand the restaurant and believes that it would increase sales. The seating capacity is only at thirty five (35) currently. Alderman Knight asked if a separate motion has to be made issuance of license and to make it a beer and wine license. Clerk Brian Allen answered that someone just needs to make a motion for beer and wine to restaurants only. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Davis to approve Midway BBQ’s request for a beer and wine liquor license for restaurants only. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes” and Alderman Winkleman voting “no”.
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard wanted to remind everyone of the fly-in at the airport on September 12th. He added that the campground filled up in less than an hour for Halloween at Burrell’s Woods.
He commented that Sandra Irvine and he are still working hard dealing with unsightly property.
Mayor Pollard stated that they have planned another electronic recycling day for October 17th located at the Newton Wire and Cable Building from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. They are also checking into a paint recycling day. If they schedule this, the public will be charged one dollar ($1) per container by the vendor picking up the paint.
He then asked the council what they thought of the McKinstry presentation last council meeting. He stated that he feels like it is a win-win, but he needs to know what the council thinks and they need to tell him if they want to pursue it. He stated that City Engineer David Coston said that they are an outstanding company and that they have done a good job with the different communities they are working with. The council agreed to have Mayor Pollard to have them figure up what they can save the city.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight stated that the Parks Department is doing well.
Alderman Lamont said that the Stewart Street railroad crossing needs repair.
Alderman Headlee commented that the Fire Department doors are installed.
Alderman Yearby stated that the airport board likes Brown and Roberts and the council should use them because they are local.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Greg Brown stated that they had a brief airport meeting and that they have two (2) new airport engineers; Jim Brown and Eric Bow. He then reminded that the airport show on September 12th all day from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Yearby to go into closed session for the purpose of discuss personnel issues with no action to follow. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 6:09 p.m. council went into closed session.
Motion made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Winkleman to return to open session and adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each alderman answering “yes.”
At 6:41 p.m. the council returned to open session.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
