The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. via phone conference due to COVID-19.
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 Aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Tracy Nelson, James Totten, Jeremy Courson, Sheila Jo Headlee, Mike Knight, and Doug Hays.
The minutes from the April 14, 2020, council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderman Totten and seconded by Alderman Hays to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
The March 2020 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light & Water were presented for approval. A motion was made by Alderman Headlee to approve the March 2020 Financial Reports for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light & Water. Alderman Winkleman seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answer “yes.”
The April 2020 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light & Water were presented for approval. A motion was made by Alderman Totten to approve the April 2020 vendor invoices for the City of Carmi and Carmi Light & Water. Alderman Winkleman seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval
- Mayor Pollard asked Jim Brown from the engineering firm of Brown and Roberts to discuss the possible change to the 8th Street Sanitary Sewer Project. Mr. Brown stated during the planning of the 8th Street Sewer Project, it was discovered the easements were only 4 feet wide. It was also discovered the water, sewer, and gas lines were buried altogether. The IEPA regulation is a 10-foot separation of the water line from the sewer line. Mr. Brown stated he previously held a meeting with the Mayor, Keith Large from the Sewer Department, Jimmy Jordan from the Water Department, Holly Healy, Curt Hale, City Attorney Greg Stewart and City Clerk Cynthia Attebury to discuss the options. Mr. Jordan stated he has had multiple problems with the water lines in this area. In order to proceed with the sewer project, the water line situation must first be address. The consensus was to move the water lines to the roadway. Mr. Brown stated the amount of the water project would be approximately 1.5 million which would include a pressure reducing station as well. After a brief discussion, Alderman Headlee made a motion to proceed with the 8th Street Water Project at this time, postponing the Sewer Project until a later date. Alderman Blake seconded the motion. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard reminded the public to fill out their census forms. Road construction will begin tomorrow on Industrial Avenue so expect road closures at different times. As a reminder, a building permit is required before you do any kind of construction, i.e. putting up a fence, pouring a concrete patio, etc. The building permits are available online at cityofcarmi.org or by contacting City Clerk Cynthia Attebury. It is also the time of the year when we remind residents it is against the law to blow grass clippings in the road and a ticket can be issued.
Mayor Pollard stated he had reached out to the Governor, Senator Righter and Representative Bailey in support of the barber shops, hair salons and all non-essential business.
Mayor Pollard stated he is currenting waiting on the Governor to make his ruling regarding opening of the public swimming pools before a decision is made regarding opening the Carmi pool.
The City Council Meetings will return to the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month beginning May 5th. They will continue to be phone conference meetings until the stay at home order is lifted
Adjournment
At 5:46 p.m. Alderman Headlee made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Alderman Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
