City of Centralia Council met Sept. 24.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday September 24, 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; Michelle Liggett, Finance Director; Chief Brian Atchison, Police Department; Chief John Lynch, Fire Department; Bill Agee, City Treasurer; 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
Rae Ann Quidgeon and Jessiycka Nix Coleman addressed the City Council in regards to the Rail Coffee Room’s Monster Crawl being organized for Saturday October 20th. The event is planned to encourage more visitors in the downtown area. The event is aimed at those 16 years old and older and will also involve participation of other downtown businesses. Storefronts will be decorated by business owners for the event. The event will incorporate a costume contest, a light post decorating contest, social media check-ins at designated locations and free giveaways to participants with more events planned later in the evening at Rail Coffee Room. Ravens Curse Haunted House is a major sponsor of the event as well. A flier was distributed that promoted the event. Mayor Ashby recalled the involvement years ago by the youth and downtown businesses that decorated storefront windows. Mayor Ashby expressed his appreciation for Rail Coffee Room and for them organizing the event and getting the local businesses and community involved.
Mike Young addressed the City Council regarding the construction of the newest Dollar General that is to be located at the corner of Country Club Road and East McCord. He stated that there are many residents in that area that have limited transportation and by having this store nearby it will allow them to safely shop near their homes without the need to walk further. He commended the City for the many improvements that have taken place over the last 5 years and moving forward. Mayor Ashby also thanked Mike Young for the partnership between the Township and City.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Marshall to Approve Items 1 - 6 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The September 10, 2018 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $1,025,030.16
3. Approval Of Request For The Use Of The City-Owned Parking Lot H During A Public Event In The Downtown Area On October 20, 2018
4. An Ordinance Waiving The Application Of Chapter 11, Section 11-160 Of The Centralia Municipal Code Regarding The Location Restrictions For Hawkers, Peddlers, And/Or Transient Vendors During A Public Event In The Downtown Area on October 20, 2018
5. A Resolution Renewing a Line of Credit With Midland States Bank
6. A Resolution Confirming Appointments of Certain Individuals to Various Boards and Commissions to the City of Centralia
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
None
RESOLUTIONS
A Motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Jones to Approve A Resolution Approving A Landlord’s Estoppel Certificate For A Mortgage In Reference To Lake Lease Site L-4.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, and Councilman Marshall Nays: Mayor Ashby
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
A Motion was made by Councilman Jones and seconded by Councilman Smith 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. Councilman Sauer stated that the letter to the editor in the Sentinel following the last resolution regarding demolition of property questioned if demolition was really necessary. Councilman Sauer stressed that there are reports from the Code Enforcement Department following inspections that include photos that show examples of the disrepair of each property. The City Manager added that the resolutions direct demolition but also offer the opportunity for repair by the current owners. He stated that in most cases the condition of the buildings have been vacant and dilapidated for so long that nothing can be done and it is not economically feasible for the owners to repair them. He stated that one of the properties may possibly be repaired by the owner.
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 A Resolution Approving a Contract for Professional Services Between The City of Centralia and Hanson Professional Services for Centralia Railroad Relocation Feasibility Study. Councilman Sauer questioned when this study will begin. City Manager Ramey stated that the contract with Hanson has been reviewed and is due to the request for proposals that were requested by the City and scored based on various factors. While the contract is for $60,000.00, $48,000.00 of the contract is to be paid with a grant from IDOT. He stated that this study gets IDOT involved and is to determine the best options to eliminate the Elm, Poplar St. and Locust St. crossings. The options will provide cost estimates and any environmental issues that may make one route better than the other. He added that there are many issues and it has been happening over many decades due to the curve that slows the trains and causes a backup at times to Broadway and blocks crossings for extended periods of time. City Manager Ramey stated that the Mayor and himself has met with State Representatives and IDOT as well in the past and believes this independent study will help the project move forward. He expects the study to take anywhere from 6-8 months.
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 Treasurer Agee stated that the City has received 62% of the levy amount of property taxes with the second installment of property taxes due on September 25th in Marion County. He stated that the correctional center is 6 months behind on the water bill payments. They made the last payment in July that was for the January/February billing. Murray Center is current on their billing. City Manager Ramey stated that getting the correctional center to pay is a continuous battle.
City Manager Ramey stated that the IML conference that some of the staff and some Councilmen attended was very interesting and provided networking opportunities for them.
City Manager Ramey recognized, Rose Aldag-McVey, who was in attendance. She will be starting with the City on October 1st as the new Economic Development Director.
City Manager Ramey discussed the nationwide emergency alert system testing that will occur on October 3rd at 1:18 p.m.
Councilman Andre Marshall stated that he appreciated the planning of the downtown Monster Crawl by Rail Coffee Room. He also shared information about sessions that he took part in at the IML conference. Councilman Marshall discussed the recent crimes and offered condolences to the families involved. He stated that he would like the opportunity to have a forum for more communication and in order to be able to compare the crime rate and if it is improving or stagnant.
Councilman Sauer shared a letter from the McKendree Bass Team after a recent fishing event that stated that they fish five lakes and Centralia Lake had the healthiest fish. Councilman Sauer also stated that he was in support of a forum in order to show that the Police Department is adequate and well trained. He stated that Centralia’s Department is performing well and also at times there is involvement from the County and State as well. He added that though a forum the City can present what is going on and why it isn’t dangerous to live in Centralia and these crimes are not being perpetrated on strangers.
City Manager Ramey shared that he attended an event at 2nd Baptist Church recently. He said that those in attendance said it best by stating that you can have a large amount of Police but the solution starts with the families. He stated that he can see a slight change where some people are starting to talk and don’t feel that it is wrong to talk when they know about the details of a certain crime. He added that in some instances some are still very tight knit, involved in drugs and/ or don’t want to talk. He added that perception is everything, Centralia is safe. He wants to deter negativity and wants businesses and people to continue to want to invest in Centralia. He added that the City working with the Youth Center and the Housing Authority will continue to make an impact.
Mayor Ashby encouraged transparency with the public concerning the crimes and stated that a forum would allow for communication and the ability to share facts with residents.
Councilman Jones stated that he echoed the rest of the Council. He added that the work of the Police and Fire Departments with the schools and the addition of the body cameras to the department along with the tracking of police vehicles are great benefits.
Councilman Smith welcomed Rose Aldag-McVey to the City as the Economic Development Director.
Mayor Ashby stated that October is an exciting month in Centralia. He stated the upcoming Celebrate Centralia event is on October 13th and complemented the Elmwood Speaks event that had another great year.
Mayor Ashby encouraged voter registration at the upcoming registration events as well as in the Clerk’s office in City Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Smith to Adjourn the meeting to closed session 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 6:41 p.m.
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