City of Centralia City Council met June 24.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday, June 24, 2019, in the Council Chambers at Centralia City Hall. Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Williams, Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, and Councilman Marshall
Absent: None
Staff Members Present: Dan Ramey, City Manager; Doug Gruenke, City Attorney; Michelle Liggett, Finance Director; Chief Brian Atchison, Police Department; Rose Aldag- McVey, Economic Development Director; Kala Lambert, Assistant To The City Manager; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; Bill Agee, City Treasurer; and Kim Enke, City Clerk
PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Williams led the Pledge of Allegiance and an opening prayer was offered by Pastor Oscar Isaiah.
AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Tami Cortial was unable to attend as scheduled to recognize her for her years of service to the City of Centralia.
Calvin Lawson addressed the Mayor and City Council in regards to the Rock the Block Event that will be held at Laura Leake Park on Saturday June 29th. He stated that they initially had requested use of the park for Friday and Saturday, but have now condensed it to Saturday only from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. He invited all to take part and attend.
Kittie McMillan addressed the Mayor and City Council in regards to negativity that she is seeing on social media. She stated that those from Centralia that speak negatively about Centralia and its residents are destroying the image of the City from within. She stated that companies will see and hear this negativity and not move or bring their businesses here. She stated that she recently experienced the negativity on social media while planning a gun violence event in the community. She stated that it needs to be confronted and people need to work together.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Marshall and seconded by Councilman Sauer to Approve Items 1 and 2 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The June 10, 2019 Council Meeting
2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $752,284.11
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None
BIDS
None
ORDINANCES
Councilman Sauer stated that the tobacco law amendments are being made to the Centralia Municipal Code in order to conform and be consistent with the state statutes. A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Marshall to Approve An Ordinance Amending The Centralia Municipal Code Chapter 12, Section 12-8 To Increase The Age Limit For The Sale Or Purchase Of Tobacco Products.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried
RESOLUTIONS
Mayor Williams stated that he still has further appointments to make and his objective is to reach out to the youth and individuals that are going to help Centralia grow and bring fresh ideas in order to become a better city. A motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Marshall to Approve A Resolution Confirming Appointments Of Certain Individuals To Various Boards And Commissions Of The City Of Centralia.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried
City Manager Ramey stated that the resolution presented includes seven properties that the Code Enforcement Department has provided photos of. He stated that the inspections reveal some with roofs caving in, foundations that are sagging, walls that are caving in, and some that have had fires. He stated that these are not marginal issues and he recommends that the Council allow the City staff to take court action as needed to demolish the buildings. 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 Williams
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried
OTHER BUSINESS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
REPORTS
City Clerk Enke reported that City Hall will be closed on the 4th of July and trash collection will follow the holiday schedule with collection being one day later following the holiday including Saturday collection.
City Manager Ramey updated the Council in regards to continuing to negotiate the agreement with Charter. He stated that Charter has agreed to provide the subdivision that includes Greenwood Drive with cable before the end of July. He stated that they continue to negotiate the number of customers required per linear strand mile of line in order to require the cable company to provide service. He stated that in cases where customers are required to pay for the installation, instead of the company just telling them it is not available, within 15-20 days they will have to provide a cost estimate to inform the customer about how much it would cost if they did want to have it installed. He stated that a meeting is scheduled within the next week. He added that possibly he will have a contract to be approved at the next council meeting if it is acceptable. He reiterated that it is a non-exclusive agreement between the City and the company. The cable company cannot be forced to install service when they are not going to profit from it.
City Manager Ramey shared a letter from the Department of Labor that stated that an inspection conducted at the water plant. It noted that there were no health or safety hazards or violations.
Councilman Sauer and Councilman Marshall both thanked Kittie McMillan for her comments during public participation.
Councilman Marshall thanked Calvin Lawson for information about the Rock the Block Party at Laura Leake Park. He stated that he has family members that are hosting events at the Men United building to bring the community together as well.
Mayor Williams reported that he had attended a breakfast at St. Mary’s Hospital and he was impressed to hear that the hospital is investing over $5 Million into the community by making improvements to the hospital. He stated that this shows that the community is moving in the right direction.
Mayor Williams thanked Kittie McMillan for her comments. He stated that there are a lot of things that are seen on social media. He added that no matter if agree or disagree, many times people are hurt by what is shared on social media. He stated that he wants to see less hurt and more love in the City.
Mayor Williams stated that he is happy to see the demolitions continuing.
Mayor Williams encouraged everyone to support and attend the Rock the Block Party and efforts such as that event that bring the community together.
Mayor Williams reported that the City Manager Search Committee met for the first time last week and are meeting once again on Wednesday June 26th. He stated that he was impressed with all of the member’s commitment and concern to make Centralia a better place. He stated that they want to present the best people that they can find to the City Council and if need be, recruit candidates.
Mayor Williams requested that Pastor Ronnie Tabor offer a closing prayer.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Jones to Adjourn the meeting to closed session 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 any legal counsel for the public body to determine its validity and 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.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m.
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/06-_June_24_2019.pdf
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