City of Carmi City Council met Sept. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, September 19, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street for the regularly scheduled Carmi City Council Meeting.
Prior to opening of the council meeting, Mayor Pollard asked Alderman Winkleman to give the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Alderperson’s present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Tracy Nelson, Lacey Bradshaw, Mike Knight, Doug Hays, Jeremy Courson, and Sheila Headlee.
The minutes from the September 5, 2023 council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderperson Hays and seconded by Alderperson Courson to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
The August 2023 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments were presented for approval. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve the August 2023 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
The September 2023 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments were presented for approval. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the September 2023 vendor invoices. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard along with the City of Carmi Fire Department recognized Mr. James Totten for all of his years of service to the City of Carmi as well as the Fire Department. Mr. Totten served as an Alderman on the City Council for 4 years and has been part of the Fire Department for over 60 years by either teaching classes or actual firefighting. Mayor Pollard presented Mr. Totten with a clock from the City of Carmi. The Carmi Fire Department presented Mr. Totten with a plaque for his years of service and dedication to the Carmi Fire Department.
For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval
A. Discussion of possibly closing Robinson Street from Walnut to Jessup Street on Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Alderperson Hays stated he had met with Whitney Barbre from Tumble Time yesterday regarding her plan for Corn Day activities. Originally the plan was to close Robinson Street from Walnut Street to Jessup Street. However, in closing this area, it would decrease the parking for people in attendance for the parade. After discussing this further, Alderperson Hays made a motion to close Robinson Street from the ATM at First-Mid Bank to the Rhonda Blades Law Office. The motion was seconded by
Alderperson Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
B. Possible approval of the mobile home permit for 205-207 Fifth Street. Mayor Pollard stated this item had been tabled from the September 5th meeting and there would be minimal discussion due to the public hearing being held at the prior meeting as well. Alderperson Hays asked Mr. and Mrs. Bailey if they had been able to determine if placement of the mobile home devalued their home and they had been unsuccessful in gathering that information. After a lengthy discussion among those in attendance, Alderperson Hays asked if anyone else had any comments or concerns. With no further comments, Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve the mobile home permit for 205-207 Fifth Street. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Knight. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
C. Ordinance No. 1607; An ordinance regulating traffic flow within the City of Carmi traveling North and South on Third Street shall stop at the intersection of Third Street and Sycamore Street. Mayor Pollard stated he had received a call from Lacy Moore, Jefferson School Principal, who said there is a lot more foot traffic to and from Jefferson School and for the safety of the children, a stop sign needed to be placed at the above location. Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1607. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Knight. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
D. Appointment of Brock Bolerjack to the Carmi Police Pension Fund Board to fill the vacancy of the late Keith Hoskins term which will end April 30, 2025. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the appointment of Brock Bolerjack to the Carmi Police Pension Fund Board. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Hays. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
E. TIF Façade Agreement with Carmi Taekwondo Center up to $5000. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve the TIF Façade improvement. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
F. Ordinance No. 1608; A replacement of ordinance 1584, 1602, and 1605 Illinois Municipal Utilities Association City of Carmi, IL Net Metering Policy 2023. Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1608. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Knight. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
G. TIF Façade request for Don’s Bumper to Bumper up to $5000. Mr. Ridenour was present and stated he plans to put new sheet metal and some other upgrades to the building. With no further questions, Alderperson Courson made a motion to approve the TIF Façade request. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
H. Resolution No. 09.19.23 authorizing the assignment of Carmi Redeveloper’s Agreement #6 with HJP Properties, LLC DBA Taco Factory, LLC to Friends Hospitality of Carmi, LLC DBA Arby’s. City Administrator, Holly Healy stated “When Heather opened the Taco Factory, the City did a 10-year property tax agreement with her where we reimbursed her up to 75% of her property taxes for up to 10 years. Because that 10-year period is not up, it was written where it was transferrable if she sold the property. She sold the property, but legally to protect the city, we do need to pass the resolution, if you choose to do so, to give Arby’s the remainder of the tax benefit.” Alderperson Bradshaw made a motion to approve Resolution 09.19.23 with a second by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard announced the City of Carmi has again been selected to participate in the second round of the Strong Communities Program (SCP), which is the grant that funds the demolition of delipidated houses which meet certain criteria. The grant amount awarded to the City was $120,000. “It will be next year before you see any activity on these projects to acquire and tear down houses” stated Mayor Pollard.
This Saturday, September 23, 2023, the City will be hosting another Electronic Recycling Event from 9 a.m. until noon at 520 North Third Street (Newton Wire & Cable Building).
The 79th Annual Chamber Dinner is coming up on Monday, October 9, 2023 at the Carmi White County VFW. Social hour begins at 5:00 p.m. with dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. If you are planning on attending the dinner, please RSVP along with your payment of $25.00 per plate to Chamber Director, Kelly Northcott by Friday, September 29, 2023.
Corn Day is also quickly approaching with the Farm-To-Table dinner on Thursday, October 12th along with Main Street being closed at 3:00 p.m. on Friday the 13th until midnight on Saturday the 14th.
Trick-or-Treat will be Tuesday, October 31st from 4 to 8 p.m. The City and the Chamber of Commerce will also be hosting Trunk-or-Treat again this year from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Halloween as well. More details will be available at the next council meeting on opportunities to participate.
Coming up soon on an agenda will be a discussion over the City Dump and compost site. We will be trying to determine some rules and regulations for both sites. Also, we will be looking at a possible ordinance for making the landlords responsible for their rental properties (clean-up, past and current electric bills, etc.).
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderperson’s Winkleman commented on how nice the parking area on College Boulevard had turned out.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Chief of Police, Jason Carter, reminded the residents of the Homecoming Parade which will be the same route as last year.
Closed Session to discuss personnel with no action to follow:
None.
Adjournment
At 6:10 p.m. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”
https://cityofcarmi.org/minutes-city-council-meeting-september-19-2023/
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