The Carmi City Council met Monday, August 4th, 2014 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. The prayer was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Pollard presided with the following Aldermen present: Steve Winkleman, Mark W. Blake, Keith Davis, Kenny Carter, Sheila Jo Headlee, Doug Hays, Jack Lamont and Mike Knight.
Minutes for the July 21st, 2014 Council Meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Lamont to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented Mr. Jim Kreher of JK Computer Solutions regarding a security camera system upgrade at Bradshaw Park, Burrell Woods and Eckerle Park. Mayor Pollard stated that vandalism is picking up and added that since Bradshaw Park and Eckerle Park are both in the city limits, it’s easier for police to do drive-bye’s, and that the city should focus on Burrell Woods at the moment. Mr. Kreher informed the council that the cameras have night vision that can reach approximately ninety (90) feet and added that they are not designed specifically to pick up license plates, but the license plate can be read with the camera. Alderman Headlee asked where the cameras would be placed at in Burrell Woods. Mayor Pollard answered that the council would have to decide and he noted that there have been reports that the tops of the tables in the shelters are being burned. Mayor Pollard added that people who are not campers are starting to use the shower houses and that the cameras needed to be around all of the shelters, and on the outside of the shower houses. He then inquired how many cameras could be added to this system and Mr. Kreher answered up to thirty two (32) cameras. Alderman Davis asked the cost on the additional cameras. City Clerk Brian Allen said that they would be about six hundred and twenty five ($625) dollars each, since the city is buying so many. Alderman Carter asked how much the whole system would cost for Burrell Woods; Mayor Pollard replied eight thousand nine hundred and sixty five ($8,965) dollars. Alderman Carter then asked how the cameras communicated with the computer screen at the police office. Mr. Kreher informed the council that there is a DSL line at Burrell Woods and it would run a live feed over the internet. Mayor Pollard stated that there is fifty nine thousand seven hundred and forty seven dollars and thirty three cents ($59,747.33) in the Burrell Woods fund and that it could be used to pay for the camera project. Alderman Davis commented that he thought it was a good idea because the city needs to protect its investments and also for the security of the campers. Alderman Winkleman questioned if the council wanted to do the camera upgrade right now since they are spending so much money on the pond and upgrades at Burrell Woods already. Alderman Davis added that part of the pond expenses is being donated by the Dillman’s and that the money for this project is coming out of a separate account. Alderman Winkleman then said that he wasn’t against it and thought that it was a good idea, and that he just wondered if they needed to add the extra cost to Burrell Woods right now. Alderman Knight questioned Mr. Kreher if the city could save any on the labor costs if the city employees were to complete some of the work. Mr. Kreher answered that the city could potentially save around one thousand ($1,000) dollars. Motion made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Davis to accept the security camera upgrade for Burrell Woods in the amount of eight thousand nine hundred and sixty five ($8,965) dollars as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to approve the rescheduling of the Monday, September 1, 2014 council meeting to Tuesday, September 2, 2014. Motion was made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Hays to reschedule the Monday, September 1, 2014 council meeting to Tuesday, September 2, 2014. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard presented Mr. Greg Brown, Manager of the Carmi Municipal Airport, to give an update. Mr. Brown informed the council that the fence in front of the airport has been removed and replaced, the terminal building has been repainted and the interior of the pilots lounge is close to being finished. He added that some landscaping will also be done. There will be an Airport Committee meeting next week. The airport is averaging about five (5) refueling per day and has sold around ninety one thousand (91,000) gallons of fuel since April. He stated that there are about four to five (4-5) runway lights are out and they need a new circuit board. A charter service is using the airport right now. Mr. Brown invited the public to come out to the airport to watch the planes go in and out or to watch the parachuters; all they ask is to stay off the runway. Alderman Blake questioned Mr. Brown about the free airplane rides that they used to give out at the airport years ago. Mr. Brown said that it had been discussed and is continuing to be discussed at the Airport Committee meetings. Citizen and pilot Rich Kingston added that all is going well at the airport. Mr. Brown informed the council that the only thing the city has had to spend money on is scheduled filter maintance of the new fuel tanks.
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard informed the council that the bridge has been removed from the pond at Burrell Woods and the expansion and dredging of the pond will hopefully get started this week. He added that the last concert still went on even after the rain. He added that he is very pleased with the support the community is showing for the outdoor concerts.
He received notice from LAMAC Engineering that they have a bid date set for August 26th for the Carmi Industrial Project.
Mayor Pollard apologized to the public for them receiving their electric bills before the opt-out cards from AquaLine. He stated that it you received your bill and do not want the protection plan, that all you need to do when you come in to pay your bill is to tell the office staff to remove the charge and they will refund your money right then.
He reminded the public that anything you do on your property that requires digging that you have to get a building permit.
Mayor Pollard commented on the free Carmi smart phone app that will be available on the app store in about two (2) weeks. It will have all the restaurants listed, local businesses, and city news on the app.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Knight thanked the railroad for the new crossing at 5th Street. Mayor Pollard commented that they would be back to fix the rest of the crossings.
Alderman Blake commented on the street and alley departments for doing a good job on the sidewalks.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Doyce Sheraden questioned who would make the decision to repair or replace a water line under the protection plan offered from AquaLine. Alderman Davis explained that it is AquaLines decision to fix or repair the line and not the contractor that AquaLine uses.
Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Headlee 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 6:21 p.m. council went into closed session.
Motion made by Alderman Winkleman and seconded by Alderman Knight to return to open session and adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman Answering “yes.”
At 7:05 p.m. council adjourned.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor