South Central Reporter

City of Carlyle Finance Committee met Dec. 9.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

The Carlyle City Council was called to order by Mayor Judy Smith, at 7:00 p.m. at the Case Halstead Library, 550 6th Street, Carlyle, IL.

The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Aldermen present were Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Michael Jansen, and Logan Speiser. Alderman Jeremy Weh was absent.

City employees present were Andy Brethorst, Andy Brackett, Dave Miller, Andy Wennerstrom, Joe Behrman, and City Clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer.

Others present were Kelly Ross, Norman Conrad, Kyle Cunningham, Ciane Griffin, Macy Chassteen, Savanna Knee, Kloe Cassie, Harper Prater, Abigail Berry, Teresa Chasteen, Michall Chasteen, Sally Griffin, Melissa Swagler, Iris Swagler, Gabby Chasteen, Bob Folen, Madisyn Nolte, Angie Nolte, Tami Hixon, Jason Knie, Jemi Knie, Michael Fix, Paul Shufle, Sunny Tut, Julie Huelsmann, Margaret Sainz, Leighna Hulsebus, Mike Essington, Kelly Ross, Mark Krebs, Pat Netemeyer, Kelly Dempsey, and Maddie Dempsey.

A motion was made by Alderman Scott Diekemper and was seconded by Alderman Don Perez to approve the minutes from the November 12, 2019 regular meeting. The motion was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Michael Jansen, and Logan Speiser. Nay: none.

A motion was made by Alderman Don Perez to approve the transfers from General Fund – Fund 1 to Fund 3 – Street and Alley Department for $45,000.00, Fund 4 – Police Department for $100,000.00, Fund 17 Parks for $20,000.00, Fund18 Playground for $10,000.00, Fund 20 Library for $15,000.00, Fund 22 – Pool House Loan for $5,000.00 for a total of $195,000.00 The motion was seconded by Alderman Kent Newkirk and approved unanimously by roll call vote. Aye: Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Michael Jansen, Logan Speiser, and Kent Newkirk. Nay: none.

Alderman Don Perez made a motion to approve the payment of the claims against the City. The motion was seconded by Alderman John Hodapp. The motion was approved unanimously by roll call vote. Aye: Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Michael Jansen, Logan Speiser, Kent Newkirk, and Shannon Petrea. Nay: none.

Alderman Shannon Petrea reported that the group the Citizens for Carlyle Parks is hosting the family night for Christmas on December 7th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Park.

Joe Behrman reported that all the new water meters have been installed. He also reported that the Street and Alley Department is currently running the leaf vac. They have not made it all the way through town and currently are on Clinton Street. He said that each load holds about 2.5 tons and they have vacuumed between 25 and 30 loads. He then asked the residents to please be patient.

Andy Brackett reported that the Christmas parade and fireworks are this Friday. The parade starts at 6:30 and the fireworks follow at the Park.

Mayor Judy Smith announced that she was going to change things around on the agenda. She moved the recognition of Girl Scout Troop 688 receiving the Governor’s Hometown Award for the Go Green Project.

The Girl Scout leader explained that the troop, while working on their Bronze Award, organized with the Corp of Engineers a clean up of the Riverside Project located from the General Dean Suspension Bridge to the Carlyle Lake Dam. They had 34 volunteers helping pick up bags of trash while educating the girls on the importance of keeping the public lands clean.

Mayor Judy Smith commented that the girls organized the entire project. She commended the girls on the wonderful job they have done with the project and winning the Governor’s Hometown Award. She also said they will be in the upcoming Christmas parade.

The leader then told everyone that they went to Springfield last week to accept the award and received a plaque that they want to give to the City of Carlyle to display in City Hall for all to see.

Mayor Judy Smith then moved on to public comments and reminded everyone that they have only three minutes to speak. She also pointed out that when they get further down on the agenda, especially the cannabis discussion that the discussion will only by for the Council.

Bob Folen first spoke about his concerns on the TIF application for Paragpur Travel Center. He still has questions about the plan including the number of entrances and why they have moved it closer to the residences. He doesn’t know how the City can consider awarding a TIF agreement without a plan. Secondly, he would not consider a TIF agreement for a business like this. He feels that the City already has gas stations, liquor stores, and gambling and that this could put other businesses out of business. He would rather have other businesses move in that offer more and better paying jobs.

Margaret Sainz then spoke about her concerns on the TIF application for Paragpur Travel Center. She stated that this project is a truck stop not a travel plaza. She said that to apply for a gambling license you must be a truck stop. She said that this is being put in 30 yards from her front yard using TIF funds. She said that the purpose of TIF funds is to draw desirable businesses into the city. She stated that the Police will have more to do because according to the FBI truck stops draw drug deals, crime, prostitution, and human trafficking. She feels that the County has enough liquor stores and gambling. She feels that addiction is a problem in Clinton County and the kids do not need more gambling and liquor. She elaborated on many more concerns.

Mike Essington then asked if when the lights are up in the City Park will the hill be available for sledding. Mayor Judy Smith commented that it probably will not happen because sometimes the lights are not down until spring when the weather warms up. She said that if we do receive a large snowfall, they will consider closing 7th Street for sledding.

Mayor Judy Smith then spoke of the Christmas Parade this Friday starting at 6:30 p.m. It will start at St. Mary’s and go west to Fairfax Street to 5th Street and will end at the City Park.

She then asked everyone to please be patient with the leaf pick up.

Mayor Smith then explained that in the past the Mayor’s gift to the city employees was to close on Christmas Eve.

Alderman Don Perez made a motion to close City on Christmas Eve. Alderman Scott Diekemper seconded the motion and it was approved unanimously by roll call vote. Aye: Don Perez, John Hodapp, Michael Jansen, Logan Speiser, Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, and Scott Diekemper. Nay: none.

City Administrator Andy Brackett explained repealing and replacing Ordinance 1676 authorizing a TIF agreement with Gerhard Properties. The new agreement is the same repayment terms but changes the way the TIF reimbursement is calculated.

Alderman Logan Speiser made a motion to approve the ordinance repealing and replacing Ordinance 1676 authorizing a TIF Redevelopment Agreement with Gerhard Properties. The motion was seconded by Alderman John Hodapp and was approved unanimously by roll call vote. Aye: John Hodapp, Michael Jansen, Logan Speiser, Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, and Don Perez. Nay: none.

City Administrator Andy Brackett then explained the ordinance approving the variance at 970 Fairfax Street. He said that this went through the Zoning Board and it recommended approving the variance. He said that at 970 Fairfax Street there is one parcel and two buildings. They want to split the parcel into two parcels. It would not meet the 50’ width minimum of the B1 Business District. He said that most of the buildings downtown do not meet the 50’ width minimum. The owner is selling the property for a new restaurant.

Alderman Kent Newkirk made a motion to approve the ordinance for the variance at 970 Fairfax Street. The motion was seconded by Alderman Don Perez and it was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Michael Jansen, Logan Speiser, Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, and John Hodapp. Nay: none.

City Administrator Andy Brackett said the EDC met this past Tuesday to review the application turned in by Mr. Tut for TIF assistance for the proposed travel plaza. He spoke of the memo from Moran Economic Development that takes the application and turns it into a review document. Andy Brackett said that the council will decide the stipulations to put in the TIF agreement. Pat Netemeyer supplied the plans for the travel plaza and the Council then reviewed them.

A discussion was held concerning what the Council would like the TIF agreement to contain. Questions were asked concerning IDOT approval of the entrance and turning lane, the frontage road, whether it would be turned over to the City or remain private. The Council was assured it would remain private and that no parking would be allowed on the road. The Council also was assured that there will be no overnight parking and there will be ‘No Parking’ signs placed along the frontage road.

Mayor Smith said she has talked to the Corps about putting signage up on William Road coming up to Governors Drive and they did not have any problems with putting signs up.

City Administrator Andy Brackett then explained the memo from Moran Economic Development. He explained the estimated total cost of the project and the estimated total TIF eligible cost. He explained that it is basically reimbursing a portion of the tax money that the business has paid. Most TIF agreements are 80/20 for the life of the TIF. TIF 1 will expire in 2033.

City Administrator Andy Brackett then informed the Council that they would need to provide the provisions they would like to have in the TIF agreement. Many provisions were discussed.

Alderman Kent Newkirk made a motion to approve the TIF assistance terms for Paragpur Travel Center and create a development agreement. The motion was seconded by Alderman John Hodapp and was approved unanimously by roll call vote. Aye: Logan Speiser, Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, and Michael Jansen. Nay: none.

Discussion was then held concerning cannabis businesses. City Administrator Andy Brackett explained that he needs to know what direction the Council would like to go with this. He will need to know how to proceed based on what the Council wants to do. If they want to allow businesses to sell cannabis, if they want to ban any sales of cannabis, or if they want to put a non-binding advisory referendum on the ballot. Alderman Michael Jansen said that he would like to see it put on the ballot. Alderman John Hodapp agreed that he would like to see it on the ballot. Alderman Kent Newkirk feels that the City should allow for the dispensaries. There is a lot of tax dollars that can be made for the City. Alderman Don Perez and Alderman Shannon Petrea agreed with Alderman Kent Newkirk.

Mayor Judy Smith said that by Monday each Alderman should let City Administrator Andy Brackett know how they feel the City should proceed.

Discussion was held as to how the employment side should be handled.

Discussion was also held concerning the zoning regulations that would need to be put in place if the City would allow the dispensaries.

At 8:01 p.m. Alderman Don Perez made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Alderman John Hodapp and was unanimously approved by roll call vote. Aye: Kent Newkirk, Shannon Petrea, Scott Diekemper, Don Perez, John Hodapp, Michael Jansen, and Logan Speiser. Nay: none.

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/carlyle/Board.nsf/Public