City of Centralia Council met Aug. 27.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday August 27, 2018 in the Council Chambers at Centralia City Hall. Mayor Ashby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Ashby, Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer and Councilman Marshall
Absent: None
Staff Members Present: Dan Ramey, City Manager; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Chief Brian Atchison, Police Department; Chief John Lynch, Fire Department; Doug Gruenke, City Attorney; Kim Enke, City Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Ashby.
AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jones To Approve Items 1 - 4 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The August 13, 2018 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $906,604.07
3. A Resolution Confirming Appointments of Certain Individuals to Various Boards and Commissions of the City of Centralia
4. Approval Of A Request To Use Fairview Park by Conquer Chiari on September 15, 2018
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None
BIDS
None
ORDINANCES
A Motion was made by Councilman Jones and seconded by Councilman Smith To Approve An Ordinance Accepting The Bid and Approving an Agreement for the Sale of Certain Real Estate By the City and Authorizing Said Sale – 319 Johnson.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
A Motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Marshall To Approve An Ordinance Accepting The Bid and Approving an Agreement for the Sale of Certain Real Estate By the City and Authorizing Said Sale – 1428 S. Sycamore.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
A Motion was made by Councilman Jones and seconded by Councilman SmithTo Approve An Ordinance Accepting The Bid and Approving an Agreement for the Sale of Certain Real Estate By the City and Authorizing Said Sale – 1004 S. Locust.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Sauer To Approve An Ordinance Accepting The Bid and Approving an Agreement for the Sale of Certain Real Estate By the City and Authorizing Said Sale – 721 N. Poplar.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
A Motion was made by Councilman Marshall and seconded by Councilman Sauer To Approve An Ordinance Accepting The Bid and Approving an Agreement for the Sale of Certain Real Estate By the City and Authorizing Said Sale – 717 N. Poplar.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
Councilman Sauer requested more information about the bidder of 717 N. Poplar and 721 N. Poplar. City Manager Ramey stated that the bidder was Rachel Wallace, the owner of the Subway next to the two properties.
A Motion was made by Councilman Jones and seconded by Councilman Smith To Approve An Ordinance Accepting The Bid and Approving an Agreement for the Sale of Certain Real Estate By the City and Authorizing Said Sale – 1108 N. Maple.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
RESOLUTIONS
A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jones To Approve A Resolution Approving the Recommendation of the Community Development Department and the Centralia Code Enforcement Department Directing the Demolition or Repair of Certain Dangerous and Dilapidated Buildings.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
Councilman Sauer questioned the need for approval of a new engineering agreement with CMT. City Manager Ramey stated that even though CMT has been the consultants for 30 years, every 5 years the agreement is required to be reviewed and approved for the Airport. A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Marshall To Approve A Resolution Approving a Professional Services Agreement with Crawford, Murphy & Tilly (CMT) for Consultant Engineering Services at the Centralia Municipal Airport.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
REPORTS
City Clerk, Kim Enke, announced that the City Hall offices will be closed in observance of Labor Day on Monday September 3rd and trash collection will run a day behind as usual on scheduled holidays. City Clerk Enke also announced that August 28th would be the first day for the 2019 election packets to be picked up in the Clerk’s office for the three seats that are up for election. Circulation of petitions can begin on that day and the filing period will be November 19th – 26th.
City Manager, Dan Ramey, asked Chief Brian Atchison to provide an overview of the Body cameras and AVL System that they are now using. Chief Atchison stated that he AVL has been valuable for the officers in order to determine exact location of officers for incidents that are occurring. It can also detail if the areas are being patrolled enough and data can be pulled to show when officers have went through certain areas. He stated that the cameras have also been useful. There was a domestic incident where the video was able to be played back and also an incident where a controlled substance was dropped and the video caught it. These cameras are helpful to the officers when writing their reports and recalling incidents. He stated that the car systems are much more reliable than the old system. They are also able to share video through a link directly to the States Attorney. This system will reduce court time and produce more guilty pleas. City Manager Ramey added that the Police Department also have several wireless and mobile cameras that are being used throughout the City including the animal shelter, the dog park and Point Park. The Mayor stated that this system will increase safety and give credibility to the Police Department. He stated that while the department was reluctant at first to implement this new equipment, he commended them for accepting it and knows that it will be a great benefit to them.
City Manager Ramey reported that the equipment for the dog park has been purchased and anticipates it being set up in the coming weeks along with the concrete work to be finished up. Also handicap swings at Fairview Park that were previously discussed will be installed in the coming weeks.
City Manager Ramey discussed the ongoing street projects. He stated that while the Broadway and Locust Street project is nearing completion, the Hickory Street engineering is currently taking place on N. Hickory. He stated that he has been questioned as to why this is the next project and he stated that it is due to the 80- 90% grant funding that the project qualifies for. He stated that next year the project will go out for bid. He also stated that the Pleasant Street road project will be starting in 2-3 weeks that will improve the roadway near the hospital from M.L.K. Drive to Rexford. Also the oil and chip is still ongoing throughout the city as well as the alley behind City Hall will be resealed.
City Manager Ramey stated that the contract with Republic Services will expire next year and he has already began discussing and meeting with the company in order to negotiate a contract renewal or the City will go out for bid depending on the amounts offered for their services.
City Manager Ramey stated that the Centralia Carillon/ Centralia Foundation intends to pave the lot that they own that is on Broadway, across from the Carillon as well as install some benches facing their park. He also stated that they have told him that their fountain will be working again in the coming weeks following some reconstruction that has been completed by a local company.
City Manager Ramey stated that the City is working with the State concerning the Revolving Loan Program. He explained that the City could get $1 Million with two qualifying CDBG eligible projects. He stated that the projects would be brought to the City Council.
City Manager Ramey stated that the grant for the railroad relocation feasibility study is being worked on.
City Manager Ramey stated that last week Michelle Liggett, who has worked in the finance department for several years has been promoted to Finance Director and Kala Lambert has been promoted to the Assistant of the City Manager with an opening for the position of Economic Development Director.
Councilman Sauer congratulated the Chamber of Commerce on another successful Balloon Fest. He also noted that the money has been raised for the dog park and spent on all of the equipment that has been purchased for installation. He stated that the project is moving nicely with the opening anticipated next month.
Councilman Smith and Councilman Jones congratulated the staff on their promotions.
Councilman Smith noted that that he wanted to recognize the City crews for painting the railing at the overpass. He stated that it is a great improvement to the area.
Mayor Ashby acknowledged the improvements to Broadway and Locust stating that he has even received compliments from children in the community. He noted that these improvements along with the many others in the community will be noticeable to those that are visiting Centralia. He reminded residents that the Celebrate Centralia event will be held on Broadway once again, the Fall Festival and Halloween parade is coming up that will also be downtown. These events allow Centralia to be showcased and improve the perception of the City.
Mayor Ashby commended the Chamber on a great Balloon Fest. He added that next year will be the 30th year for this annual event and credited the many volunteers that make the event possible year after year.
Mayor Ashby stated that he would like to have the City Manager review the properties at the edge of the city that are inside the city limits but do not have access to Charter Cable. He stated that he feels every resident should have access to the service.
Mayor Ashby also suggested that the City Manager review the boat sticker process in order to implement the addition of stickers on the trailers of the boats that are issued boat stickers. He stated that it would allow for the review of the boats that are on the water that have registered in order to save man hours.
Mayor Ashby encouraged residents to take part in the upcoming election, encouraging young people to get involved and have a voice.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Smith to Adjourn the meeting to closed session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21), for the semi-annual review of the minutes of the meetings lawfully closed, under 5ILCS/120/2(C)(11) Litigation, when an action against, affecting or on behalf of the particular public body has been filed and is pending before a court or administrative tribunal, or when the public body finds that an action is probable or imminent, and under 5ILCS/120/2(C)(1) The appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees of the public body or legal counsel for the public body, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee of the public body or against legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
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