MINUTES
City Council Meeting
City of Carmi
October 7, 2014
The Carmi City Council met Tuesday October 7th, 2014 at 7:00 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 September 15th, 2014 Council Meeting were presented. Motion made by Alderman Knight and seconded by Alderman Hays to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider the purchase of a new truck bed for the Water & Sewer Departments dump truck at the Waste Water Treatment Plant. Alderman Keith Davis commented that he did some research on the Elpers Truck Equipment bid because he felt that it was too high. He then contacted Meyer Truck Equipment for an additional bid and had them lay out exactly what the bid entails. Alderman Davis stated that the city really does not know what they are getting from Elpers Truck Equipment and that the difference between the two bids is about one hundred and thirty five ($135) dollars. He commented that the main discrepancy is the bed length and that they are both in the same time frame to be built and shipped to the city. Alderman Davis asked Meyer Truck Equipment how much it would cost to have them install the bed. He reported that it would be about two thousand ($2,000) dollars and that it would be beneficial to have the company install it, considering the hydraulic system on the truck. Mayor Pollard asked if the dump truck was in good running condition. Alderman Davis answered that it was okay for now. He explained that they are in a tight spot where they need a new one but cannot afford it and cannot find a decent used one. He also emphasized that the city needs to do this because they cannot use the bed they have now due to the rust. Alderman Winkleman asked what the dump truck is used for. Mayor Pollard stated that it is used for hauling sludge and that it spills out of the rusted areas right now. The Elpers bid came in at ten thousand one hundred and thirty one dollars and twenty five cents ($10,131.25) and the Meyer bid came in at ten thousand two hundred and sixty seven dollars ($10,267.) Alderman Headlee inquired how much scrap money they could get out of the old bed. Alderman Davis stated that he was not sure how much scrap was going for. Mayor Pollard then asked if there was a warranty that went with the bed when it is installed by the company and Alderman Davis answered that he is sure there is one but he is not sure what it is and he would check on it. Alderman Winkleman asked if they knew enough about these two (2) bids to make a decision at this meeting. Alderman Davis said that they need to make a decision now because it will take about six (6) weeks to get it in and installed and that they need to use it to haul the sludge from Burrell’s Woods. Motion was made by Alderman Davis and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the Meyer Truck Equipment bid for ten thousand two hundred and sixty seven dollars ($10,267) as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard asked the council to consider the rescheduling of the Tuesday, November 4, 2014 meeting to Monday, November 3, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in order to avoid a conflict with Election Day. Motion was made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Knight to move the meeting as scheduled. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
Mayor Pollard announced that Greg Stewart was scheduled to be at the meeting but something came up so he sent out a Memo. He said that they are still at square one with Phoenix. Alderman Headlee commented that they have not paid a dime of the revolving loan fund even after they received eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) from the state. Alderman Carter asked if they have paid any utilities. Mayor Pollard stated that they paid about ninety thousand dollars ($90,000) about two (2) months ago which means that they still owed around twenty thousand dollars ($20,000.) However, he checked two (2) weeks ago and they owe about sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) now. Mayor Pollard also stated that at one point Phoenix was down to around thirteen (13) patients and now they are up to about twenty (20) but none of them are private pay.
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard stated that he was a little discouraged with some of the property being sold at auction by the county, because the city currently has liens on some of those properties. He explained that when the property sells at auction, the city will not get any money from the liens.
He stated that Corn Day starts on Friday (October 10th) and that Main St. will be closed from 3:00 until 1:00 Sunday morning. He added that the Dairy Queen ditch project is under way and wanted to let everyone know that a new bridge would be installed over the ditch. It will be moved down a little however.
He reminded the council that Holly Healy with the Chamber of Commerce will be at the next meeting to talk about “A White County Christmas” to ask for closure of the road for the Santa House and Christmas Train, if there is not another place to put it.
Mayor Pollard informed everybody that a fly in and open house is scheduled for October 25th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the airport and everyone is invited.
He stated the pond is finished at Burrell’s Woods and he wanted to remind the public about the Halloween events scheduled for October 25th at Burrell’s Woods.
Mayor Pollard gave a notice that trick or treating hours will be Friday October 31st from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Mayor Pollard said that the council also needs to discuss planning another electronic recycling day. Unfortunately, Egyptian Health is no longer involved in this program and it will cost the city around three thousand dollars ($3,000) if they are interested.
City Supervisor Mike Buckman gave an update. He stated that the Dairy Queen ditch will have retaining rock in baskets to prevent further erosion. He added they discovered a sewer leak and it was necessary to remove the bridge earlier than planned. The Motor Fuel Tax projects could possibly be starting this month or next month. Substation buildings are being completed by the City Welding Department. He added that voting for the IMEA efficiency program needs to happen at the next meeting and David Coston will be here to present that. He wants to meet with the chair and co-chair of each committee for project plans that need to be completed next year. Mr. Buckman reminded everyone of the town hall fracking meetings coming up in the surrounding communities. David Coston and Oil Field Electric are going to meet about replacing breakers at the substations. He added that street lights in front of the high school are still on track for installation.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Headlee commented that local Eagle Scout, Eli Degenhardt constructed a sign for Maple Ridge Cemetery as part of a volunteer project for the community.
Alderman Winkleman commented that Mayor Pollard represented the city well at the Chamber of Commerce dinner. He also thanked the Kiwanis and the city for their help with Corn Day. He added that the rides will be across the street this year. Also, the library will be celebrating one hundred (100) years in June of 2015.
Alderman Blake stated that Burrell’s Woods pond looks great.
Business or Comments from Visitors
Police Chief Jason Carter reminded the public that no parking on Locust St. or Cherry St. at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 10th for Corn Days.
Motion made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Winkleman 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 7: 33 p.m. council went into closed session.
Motion made by Alderman Headlee and seconded by Alderman Carter to return to open session and adjourn. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman answering “yes.”
At 8:38 p.m. council adjourned.
Brian K. Allen, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor