City of Centralia Council met Nov. 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Tuesday November 13, 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; Doug Gruenke, City Attorney; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Michelle Liggett, Finance Director; Chief Brian Atchison, Police Department; Chief John Lynch, Fire Department; Kala Lambert, Executive Assistant to the City Manager; Rose Aldag- McVey, Economic Development Director; Bill Agee, City Treasurer; 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
Ted Johnson addressed the Mayor and City Council requesting a waiver of the requirement of one year of residency in order to run for Mayor or Council. Mr. Johnson stated that he is a disabled veteran and has just moved to Centralia after retiring and living out of state. Attorney Gruenke informed Mr. Johnson that the residency requirement is a state law and not able to be waived by local government but he would review the request and discuss it further with the City Manager.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jones to Approve Items 1 - 3 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The October 22, 2018 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of 1,562,036.41
3. A Resolution To Declare Certain Water And Sewer Accounts Owed To The City As Uncollectible Accounts And To Authorize Closure Of The Accounts
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
Mayor Ashby noted that the City Attorney had reviewed this ordinance. A Motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Smith to Approve An Ordinance Amending The Sexual Harassment Policy By Amending Chapter 12 Section 12.02 Of The Personnel Manual.
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 Jones and seconded by Councilman Marshall to Approve A Resolution Setting Regular Meeting Dates for the Centralia City Council and Various Boards and Commissions for Calendar Year 2019.
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
A Motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Jones to Approve A Resolution Approving The Temporary Closure Of Various City Streets For The Downtown Centralia Christmas Stroll On November 30, 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
A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jones to Approve The Request For The Use Of The City- Owned Parking Lot E During A Public Event In The Downtown Area on November 30, 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
A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Marshall to Approve 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 November 30, 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
Mayor Ashby questioned if there would be any electrical or placement issues that would interfere with the traditional decorations that have been placed on the light poles downtown for years. City Manager Ramey confirmed that there were no issues. A Motion was made by Councilman Jones and seconded by Councilman Smith to Approve The Request To Place Decorations Upon City Owned Property In The Downtown Area During The Holiday Season.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
City Manager Ramey discussed the Charter contract and the ongoing negotiations for a new contract. He stated that the current non –exclusive contract has expired but it is continual and ongoing. He stated that the City has not agreed to new terms at this time due to it not being in the best interest or a benefit to the City. Other cities have signed new agreements and have not received as much as Centralia is with their ongoing contract. The Mayor voiced the concern that residents have brought to his attention concerning Charter not offering service in certain areas to residents. City Manager Ramey and Attorney Gruenke discussed the federal regulations and the ability of Charter to offer or not offer to extend their service to other residences and subdivisions depending on the distance and number of residences to be added the existing trunk line. Attorney Gruenke stated it is an option to require a shorter distance from the existing trunk line in the agreement in order to require that they do offer services to more residents. Attorney Gruenke noted that there is not any tax money going to Charter, but the City is doing what it can for the residents. Councilman Sauer questioned why Charter was not motivated. City Manager Ramey explained that Charter was not motivated in the beginning but since the contract has been moved to their expired list, they are now motivated. The City Manager stated that he has three or four more items to be ironed out in order to have it ready for consideration. Mayor Ashby stated that he would like the City Manager to report back to the City Council and himself when it is ready for review.
City Manager Ramey provided an update on the Rt. 161 bridge construction project. He stated that IDOT opened bids for the project and Plocher Construction was the low bidder with a bid of over $12 million. There were eight bids received and this bid was within the budget allocated. He noted the meetings that the City had in Collinsville prior to the bidding to request reduced days of road closures. He stated that the project was estimated to take 24 months but the contract proposal included an acceleration and the project should take no longer than 11 months. Councilman Sauer asked if the plan consisted of lowering the bridge deck. City Manager Ramey stated that the plan still consists of a 7 ft. deck but they did agree to reducing the length of time that Shattuc Road will be shut down to only 14 days. He stated that he will get more information and a timeline in order to keep the city informed and he will report back.
REPORTS
City Clerk Enke provided the upcoming dates to file petitions for the 2019 consolidated election. She reported that City Hall will be closed on Thursday November 22nd and 23rd in observance of Thanksgiving with the trash and leaf vacuuming being delayed by one day. She noted that leaf collection will continue through December 7th. She also reported that the Budget Work Session is scheduled for December 5th at 5:30 p.m.
City Treasurer, Bill Agee reported that Murray Center is current on their water bills and also the state shared revenues are current. He also reported that the Correctional Center’s utility account is currently six months behind.
City Manager Ramey stated that the Economic Development Director Rose Aldag-McVey and Kala Lambert have been putting together information in regards to sales tax comparisons and the savings to residents when they shop in Centralia versus shopping elsewhere. He added that residents can save anywhere from 3-5% when shopping local. He stated that this information will be shared on social media as well as in advertisements to encourage shopping local.
Councilman Sauer noted that he would like the Mayor and other Councilmen to review the leaf collection timing with the weather timing throughout the city in order to determine if next year the leaf vacuuming should start earlier or end later possibly next year.
Councilman Jones noted his appreciation of those that are continuing with the downtown light post decorating for the holiday season.
Mayor Ashby stated that he is also appreciative of the businesses getting involved and adding extra decorations to the downtown area as they did during the fall/Halloween parade season.
Mayor Ashby stated that Greg Sutton and himself have a meeting planned in Chicago at the Mascot Hall of Fame and hopes to get some attention for Centralia.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Jones and seconded by Councilman Sauer to Adjourn the meeting.
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 6:26 p.m.
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