The Carmi City Council met Tuesday, October 7, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Room of the Municipal Building, 225 East Main Street.
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 September 15, 2020, council meeting were presented. Motion was made by Alderman Hays and seconded by Alderman Blake to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
For council consideration, discussion, and possible approval
- Mayor Pollard presented the authorization to seek bids for the sale of excess property for the City of Carmi: VIN: 1B7HF16Y11S690920, a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup with 212,310 miles to be SOLD AS IS. Alderman Totten made a motion to seek bids for the sale of excess property for the City of Carmi. The motion was seconded by Alderman Winkleman. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
- Resolution 10.06.20, a Resolution of Support for the ITEP Grant was presented for approval. Alderman Winkleman made a motion to approve Resolution 10.06.20, a Resolution of Support for the ITEP grant. The motion was seconded by Alderman Totten. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
- Ordinance 1566; the amended Sexual Harassment Ordinance was presented for approval. Clerk Attebury stated the State of Illinois had released new guidelines for reporting sexual harassment that each municipality had to adopt. The noted changes were going from 180 days to 300 to report a sexual harassment claim as well as the process for an elected official claiming sexual harassment by another elected official. Alderman Hays made a motion to approve Ordinance 1566; the amended Sexual Harassment Ordinance. The motion was seconded by Alderman Knight. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
- Mayor Pollard stated he had been contacted by Greg Brown regarding donating the Archie Brown Memorial Park to the City of Carmi. Mayor Pollard stated the City of Carmi would take care of the mowing at the Park and the softball team would take care of maintaining the field and concession area. The park is approximately 5 acres. After a brief discussion, Alderman Headlee made a motion to accept the donation of the Archie Brown Memorial Park to the City of Carmi. The motion was seconded by Alderman Knight. The motion carried on roll call by each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
Reports and/or updates from Mayor Pollard
Mayor Pollard reminded the Aldermen that after the previous meeting a few months back regarding the discussion of the animal ordinance, Cynthia Attebury and Holly Healy reached out to the surrounding areas to obtain their ordinances which have been provided to you for review. Within the next few months, this topic will be put back on the agenda for guidance in the language to be put in the ordinance.
The City of Carmi will be allowing Trick-or-Treating on Halloween night from 4:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m. We want to remind homeowners to turn the porch light on if you want the kids to stop at your house. As a reminder while driving, please remember to use extra caution during these hours for the kids in the street, especially after dark.
As you know, last night would have been the normal Chamber Dinner. This year it will be held on October 29th virtually. The Chamber has reached out to businesses about how to watch and purchase a dinner. If anyone in the public is interested, they can contact the new Executive Director, Kelly Northcott for more information at 618-382-7606 or email at chamber@cityofcarmi.com.
Reports from Standing Committees
Alderman Winkleman stated he had just attended the Library Meeting where they were discussing changing the hours of the Library. He will keep the Council informed of the decision. The Library Committee also wanted to thank the Police Department. They have helped children several times to get home after dark.
Closed Session to discuss personnel and property issues with action to follow:
At 5:50 p.m. Alderman Headlee made a motion to enter into closed session. The motion was seconded by Alderman Blake. The motion carried on roll call with each Aldermen present answering “yes.”
Adjournment
At 6:00 p.m. the council entered back into open session. Alderman Headlee made a motion to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Alderman Courson. The motion carried on roll call by each Alderman present answering “yes.”
Cynthia J. Attebury, City Clerk
Jeff Pollard, Mayor
