City of Centralia Council met March 11.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Ashby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Ashby, Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, and Councilman Marshall
Absent: Councilman Sauer
Staff Members Present: Dan Ramey, City Manager; Doug Gruenke, City Attorney; Michelle Liggett, Finance Director; Bobby Patton, Code Enforcement Officer; Chief Brian Atchison, Police Department; Chief John Lynch, Fire Department; Kala Lambert, Executive Assistant to the City Manager; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Rose Aldag- McVey, Economic Development Director; and Kim Enke, City Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ashby asked that the Pledge of Allegiance be led by the Centralia Girl Scouts. The Centralia Girl Scouts in attendance led the Pledge of Allegiance.
AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
Mayor Ashby stated that Rose Aldag McVey would be providing a report concerning Economic Development during the other business portion of the agenda.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mayor Ashby presented the Centralia Girl Scout Troop a proclamation for Girl Scout Week that Leader Marsha Nichols accepted.
Tina Suarez, with Relay for Life, addressed the Mayor and City Council to provide an update concerning the Relay For Life event planned at Fairview Park on June 21st. She stated that this year, Relay For Life is requesting to use the downtown street light poles in order for businesses to be able to decorate the poles to raise further awareness from June 10th-June 25th. She also stated that the purple ribbons will be displayed throughout the City again this year to also raise cancer awareness from June 14th- June 25th. Mayor Ashby stated that their request will be added to the next agenda for approval noting that the poles are able to be used with the understanding that any damage to the poles would be the responsibility of the group and the decorations will need to be removed from the poles by the group on the 25th. Ms. Suarez agreed and thanked the Mayor and City Council.
Roger Campbell addressed the Mayor and City Council in regards to his business Lifestar Ambulance Service. He informed the City Council that SSM Hospital has contracted with another provider to provide transportation for patients at the time of discharge or during transportation to a another facility in emergency and non-emergency situations. He stated that he provides service in the community as well as statewide in locations including Springfield, Jacksonville, Alton and the main corporate office that is located in Centralia. He stated that in 2018, 24,500 calls were handled by Lifestar across the State of Illinois. He stressed that his company will continue to serve the area and will continue their commitment as they have over the last 45 years. He stated that this issue does not affect 9-1-1 calls. He distributed post cards with information to the City Council. City Manager Ramey stated that he met with Roger Campbell and the President of the Hospital. He reiterated that this issue does not affect 9-1-1 calls or dispatch, only transfers out of the hospital. He stated that the individuals have the right to request certain ambulance companies to transport them in certain circumstances. He stated there is nothing that the City can do, but he would like to see a resolution between the hospital and the ambulance company. Mr. Campbell thanked the City Manager for taking a proactive role in trying to assist with the situation. Mayor Ashby reiterated that the individuals in the hospital do have a choice and can request the transportation through Lifestar if they choose to by getting cards to commit that they would request Lifestar’s services.
Bryan Kuder addressed the Mayor and City Council in regards to public concerns and comments about his residency in the city limits of Centralia pertaining to him being a mayoral candidate. He noted that a week ago, he was seen by Dan Ramey moving out of his current address of 5 Circle Drive. He stated he recently has rented an apartment at 1210 W. Broadway, Apartment 8. He stated that this is due to him owning property outside the city limits. He stated that he had been trying to purchase the property adjacent to his previously owned property that includes a small lake. When that property recently came up for sale, he purchased the land and the home that is on it as well. He stated that 5 Circle Drive has been sold, but the closing will not be until April. He stated that he will have the address at the apartment in Centralia and also a house in the country. He stated that he had heard discussion that he would not be able to run for Mayor since he owns his house and property outside the city limits. He suggested that if some of the council members have weekend homes outside the city, he would like to be held at the same standard as any of them. He stated if the Council wants to the be the residency police and require him to stay at one location for 14 days and the other location for 16 days, if that is what is required, then he wants to be held to that requirement too. He stated that he feels he is within the guidelines for residency since he has two addresses currently in the city limits until the home sells. He stated that he may spend time at that house outside the city, may spend weekends there, it may be a summer home, or it may be where he stays when working at the location of the residence on the 20 acres. He stated that he hasn’t moved into the apartment yet since it is under repair due to a water line break that occurred two days before he was going to move in. He is waiting on it to be remodeled. Mayor Ashby commented that it is not up to the City to make the determination for the election, it is the State Board of Elections. Mr. Kuder acknowledged that he was aware of that. Mr. Kuder stated that since there was comments made concerning his residency he wanted to explain what he was doing.
Mayor Ashby called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Ashby, Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, and Councilman Marshall
Absent: Councilman Sauer
Staff Members Present: Dan Ramey, City Manager; Doug Gruenke, City Attorney; Michelle Liggett, Finance Director; Bobby Patton, Code Enforcement Officer; Chief Brian Atchison, Police Department; Chief John Lynch, Fire Department; Kala Lambert, Executive Assistant to the City Manager; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Rose Aldag- McVey, Economic Development Director; and Kim Enke, City Clerk
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Ashby asked that the Pledge of Allegiance be led by the Centralia Girl Scouts. The Centralia Girl Scouts in attendance led the Pledge of Allegiance.
AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
Mayor Ashby stated that Rose Aldag McVey would be providing a report concerning Economic Development during the other business portion of the agenda.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mayor Ashby presented the Centralia Girl Scout Troop a proclamation for Girl Scout Week that Leader Marsha Nichols accepted.
Tina Suarez, with Relay for Life, addressed the Mayor and City Council to provide an update concerning the Relay For Life event planned at Fairview Park on June 21st. She stated that this year, Relay For Life is requesting to use the downtown street light poles in order for businesses to be able to decorate the poles to raise further awareness from June 10th-June 25th. She also stated that the purple ribbons will be displayed throughout the City again this year to also raise cancer awareness from June 14th- June 25th. Mayor Ashby stated that their request will be added to the next agenda for approval noting that the poles are able to be used with the understanding that any damage to the poles would be the responsibility of the group and the decorations will need to be removed from the poles by the group on the 25th. Ms. Suarez agreed and thanked the Mayor and City Council.
Roger Campbell addressed the Mayor and City Council in regards to his business Lifestar Ambulance Service. He informed the City Council that SSM Hospital has contracted with another provider to provide transportation for patients at the time of discharge or during transportation to a another facility in emergency and non-emergency situations. He stated that he provides service in the community as well as statewide in locations including Springfield, Jacksonville, Alton and the main corporate office that is located in Centralia. He stated that in 2018, 24,500 calls were handled by Lifestar across the State of Illinois. He stressed that his company will continue to serve the area and will continue their commitment as they have over the last 45 years. He stated that this issue does not affect 9-1-1 calls. He distributed post cards with information to the City Council. City Manager Ramey stated that he met with Roger Campbell and the President of the Hospital. He reiterated that this issue does not affect 9-1-1 calls or dispatch, only transfers out of the hospital. He stated that the individuals have the right to request certain ambulance companies to transport them in certain circumstances. He stated there is nothing that the City can do, but he would like to see a resolution between the hospital and the ambulance company. Mr. Campbell thanked the City Manager for taking a proactive role in trying to assist with the situation. Mayor Ashby reiterated that the individuals in the hospital do have a choice and can request the transportation through Lifestar if they choose to by getting cards to commit that they would request Lifestar’s services.
Bryan Kuder addressed the Mayor and City Council in regards to public concerns and comments about his residency in the city limits of Centralia pertaining to him being a mayoral candidate. He noted that a week ago, he was seen by Dan Ramey moving out of his current address of 5 Circle Drive. He stated he recently has rented an apartment at 1210 W. Broadway, Apartment 8. He stated that this is due to him owning property outside the city limits. He stated that he had been trying to purchase the property adjacent to his previously owned property that includes a small lake. When that property recently came up for sale, he purchased the land and the home that is on it as well. He stated that 5 Circle Drive has been sold, but the closing will not be until April. He stated that he will have the address at the apartment in Centralia and also a house in the country. He stated that he had heard discussion that he would not be able to run for Mayor since he owns his house and property outside the city limits. He suggested that if some of the council members have weekend homes outside the city, he would like to be held at the same standard as any of them. He stated if the Council wants to the be the residency police and require him to stay at one location for 14 days and the other location for 16 days, if that is what is required, then he wants to be held to that requirement too. He stated that he feels he is within the guidelines for residency since he has two addresses currently in the city limits until the home sells. He stated that he may spend time at that house outside the city, may spend weekends there, it may be a summer home, or it may be where he stays when working at the location of the residence on the 20 acres. He stated that he hasn’t moved into the apartment yet since it is under repair due to a water line break that occurred two days before he was going to move in. He is waiting on it to be remodeled. Mayor Ashby commented that it is not up to the City to make the determination for the election, it is the State Board of Elections. Mr. Kuder acknowledged that he was aware of that. Mr. Kuder stated that since there was comments made concerning his residency he wanted to explain what he was doing.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Marshall to Approve Items 1-4 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The February 25, 2019 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $ 707,958.58
3. A Resolution Regarding Closed Session Minutes
4. Approval Of A Request To Allow Use OF Lake Centralia By The Hollywood Heights Bass Club For A Tournament On April 28th
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Ashby
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None
BIDS
Councilman Smith asked where JTC Petroleum was located and Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director, stated that they were from Highland. City Manager Ramey stated that this company had been used before. A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jones to Approve The Bids from JTC Petroleum for Bituminous Materials and from Beelman Logistics for Seal Coat Aggregate for the 2019 MFT Oil and Chip Rehabilitation and Resealing Program Contingent upon IDOT Approval.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, 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 The Bid Received for Bituminous Materials for 2019 Public Works Maintenance From General Contractors
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried. ORDINANCES
None
RESOLUTIONS
None
OTHER BUSINESS
Rose Aldag- McVey gave an overview of her department and the recent efforts made by the City to attract and retain businesses. She reported that the sales tax remains the same at 6.25% and 6.5%. She stated that there is a positive business climate due to this and it has resulted in an increase in sales tax revenue over the last 8 years that calculates to a $30 Million increase in sales. The increase does not reflect or include the additional sales made to non-profit entities that do not pay sales tax.
She gave a brief overview of the many incentives offered by the City while working with Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. She noted that the Enterprise Zone is effective until 2032. There are incentives for real estate tax abatement and sales tax exemptions for building materials that is highly utilized. She stated that there are 4 TIF districts and façade improvement loans offered within those districts. She stated that there is also a new incentive, the Opportunity Zone that was recently approved in the area and offered.
There were many projects over the past few years that she reviewed. Meadow Woods Holdings have planned a $4 Million project on the property that has been vacant for 3 years. The Best Western Plus and Crooked Creek Crossing retail development is a recent $8 Million investment that includes the development of Rosati’s Pizza that is beginning construction along with Jimmy Johns that will be opening in late May. Another developer is also considering a new four store strip mall on derelict property. The 2nd Dollar General store has opened on the East side of Centralia recently as well. The Super Walmart opened and now has 240 employees and continues to expand. The Dollar Tree and Goodwill renovated and opened at a location that had been vacant for over 4 years.
SSM Health has continued to investment by working on a $22 Million investment with façade improvements, parking lot improvements and interior remodeling. The Village of Heritage Woods and Cedarhurst of Centralia are also some of the other living facilities that have made improvements and further developments recently. Rose stated that she works closely with business and industry leaders and has been told that Workforce Development is one of the main concerns of businesses. She stated that a proactive approach is taken to address this issue. The City works with various area educational institutions and also assists with grants for businesses when appropriate. She stated that the businesses are participating the CEO program development to work with the city’s youth. Also the City has hosted a City Wide Job Fair for the past two years. During these two years there were 482 seekers that attended the event and 207 were employed as a result of the job fair. There were 28 employers that participated in the job fair.
Rose explained that here are some boards and commissions that she works with including the Industrial Commission. It has been established for over 30 years and hosts an annual appreciation reception and actively links the needs of businesses with the resources available to them. She also works with the Tourism Commission that actively promotes Centralia’s assets and events by utilizing the See Centralia website and social media. They coordinate with the Image Committee and Chamber of Commerce. She also works with the Veterans Affairs Committee that is responsible for the placement of 500 flags throughout Centralia and also the 4th of July Parade and. Memorial Day ceremony which is all made possible by their many volunteers. She stated that there is also an Enterprise Zone Board and TIF Board that she works with.
Rose also explained that she is involved in conducting retention visits with area businesses. She meets with the businesses and discusses what is going well and what their opportunities are. She explained that recently Intermountain Electronics discussed workforce training through internships with high school students with the City. The City worked with high school counselors that have arranged for the high school students interested to be able to work during the school year. Students have already toured the facility and Intermountain plans to host 7 students that will be paid this summer at $10/hr. for the program with the hopes that they will enjoy it and stay in that industry. Mayor Ashby complimented Rose for working with the youth and stated that the City can’t retain or attract business unless the workforce is better trained. He stated that this is a good step in the right direction.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
REPORTS
City Manager Ramey reported that himself, the Mayor, and Engineer Mike Curry met with the IEPA in Springfield concerning the phosphorus, zinc and impairment of the streams at the sewer plant. He reviewed that 8 years ago the City had committed to a $28 million project at the sewer plant. He knows that the City will need to do something in the future at the plant but he also knows that the cost will be a lot less than that. He stated that he will continue to keep the City Council informed as he continues to work with the IEPA on this matter.
City Manager Ramey explained that an ordinance is being reviewed to be added to the next agenda that pertains to truancy for children under the age of 13 years old in order to make it a City code violation. The Police Chief has requested this and the City Attorney is reviewing it. He stated that there are many children that are not attending school regularly and hopefully this will encourage the parents to get the children to school, keep them in school and reduce issues when the students get older.
Mayor Ashby stated that the 95th Annual Banquet sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce will be on March 14th at the Elks with the City being honored for 160 years.
Mayor Ashby announced that the Spring City Wide Clean Up will be April 1st – 5th with pickups made curbside. He also announced that the Clean and Green City Clean Up and Arbor Day celebration will be on April 27th which begins at 8:30 at the CN Shelter.
Mayor Ashby encouraged residents to attend the candidate forum on March 21st at the Recreation Complex at 6 p.m.
Mayor Ashby thanked the City Manager for working with Charter and for the progress being made on the contract between them and the City of Centralia. He stated that one other thing he would like to continue progress on is home inspections and he would like to see some sample ordinances pertaining to housing inspections provided to him and the City Council.
Mayor Ashby wished Bryan Kuder good luck on his candidacy. He stated that Mr. Kuder shouldn’t be concerned with the City Council keeping an eye on him but it will be the residents that will hold him accountable. It is a time commitment and a lot is expected.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Marshall to Adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Marshall and Mayor Ashby
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:33 p.m.
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