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City of Carmi City Council met Dec. 17.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

A Mobile Home Permit hearing for 717 Maple Street was held at 5:00 p.m. Ms. McGhee stated she was purchasing a new mobile home. There were no questions and the hearing was closed out.

At 5:15 p.m. A Public truth in taxation hearing concerning the 2024 tax levy payable in 2025 for the City of Carmi was held. City Attorney Greg Stewart along with City CPA Keith Botsch conducted the hearing. There were several citizens present for the hearing who voiced their concerns regarding the 12% increase on the property tax for the City of Carmi. The hearing closed out at 5:45 p.m.

The Carmi City Council held the regular monthly council meeting in City Hall on December 17, 2024 beginning at 5:45 p.m. following the public hearings.

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 Alderpersons present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Tracy Nelson, Lacey Bradshaw, Doug Hays, Jeremy Courson and Sheila Headlee. Absent: Mike Knight.

The minutes from the December 3, 2024 council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderperson Hays and seconded by Alderperson Bradshaw to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

The November 2024 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments were presented for approval. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve the Financial Reports with a second by Alderperson Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

The vendor invoices for December 2024 were presented for authorization and approval for the City of Carmi and Light & Water Departments. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve the vendor invoices for December 2024 with a second by Alderperson Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval

a) Resolution No. 12.18.24; A resolution approving a Mobile Home Permit for 717 Maple Street. The hearing had been conducted prior to the meeting. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to approve Resolution No. 12.18.24; A resolution approving a Mobile Home Permit for 717 Maple Street. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

b) Ordinance No. 1649; An ordinance for the levy and assessment of property tax by the City of Carmi, IL for the fiscal year commencing the 1st day of January 2024 and ending the 31st day of December 2024, presented by H. Keith Botsch and Associates. After discussion, Alderperson Headlee made a motion to NOT approve Ordinance No. 1649. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Bradshaw. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

c) Ordinance No. 1650; An ordinance abating the 2024 tax levy for the payment of the City of Carmi, White County, Illinois General Obligation Bonds, Series 2022 A was presented. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1650 with a second by Alderperson Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

d) Ordinance No. 1651; An ordinance abating the 2024 tax levy for payment of the City of Carmi, White County, Illinois General Obligations Bonds, Series 2022 B. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1651. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Bradshaw. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

e) Ordinance No. 1652; An ordinance adopting the Wholesale Connection Agreement by and between the City of Carmi, Illinois, Illinois Municipal Electric Agency and Ameren Service Company. Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 1652. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

f) Reappointment of Robert Duckworth to the Carmi Board of Fire and Police Commission from January 1, 2025 thru December 31, 2027. Alderperson Hays made a motion to reappointment Robert Duckworth to the Carmi Board of Fire and Police Commission. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Blake. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

g) Possibly authorizing the Board of Fire and Police Commission to hire a new officer, pending the official resignation of the current officer. Chief Jason Carter stated he had received a resignation of the current officer and wished to hire a new officer for replacement. Alderperson Headlee made a motion to hire a new police officer for the Carmi PD. Alderperson Hays seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

h) Resolution 12.17.24; A resolution to close the IEPA Loan Proceeds Hillsdale Project Checking Account due to completion of the project. Alderperson Winkleman made a motion to approve Resolution 12.17.24 with a second by Alderperson Headlee. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

i) Moran Economic Development, LLC Invoice 2572 for preparation of TIF Redevelopment Agreement with Mitch Gross (Payable from TIF2). Alderperson Hays made a motion to approve the Moran invoice with a second by Alderperson Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard

None.

Reports from Standing Committees

None.

Business or Comments from Visitors

None.

Closed Session to discuss personnel and property issues with action to follow:

None.

Adjournment

At 6:15 p.m. Alderperson Courson made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderperson Bradshaw. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderperson present answering “yes.”

https://cityofcarmi.org/minutes-city-council-meeting-city-of-carmi-december-17-2024/