City of Centralia City Council met Jan. 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met 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: Bill Agee, Acting City Manager; Doug Gruenke; City Attorney; Chief Greg Dodson, Police Department; Rose Aldag-McVey, Economic Development Director; Michelle Liggett; Finance Director; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; Kala Lambert, Assistant City Manager; Chief John Lynch, Fire Department; and Kim Enke, City Clerk
PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Williams led the Pledge of Allegiance and an opening prayer was offered by Tony Marcum
AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Connie Deadmond addressed the City Council in regards to some trees on Melrose. She stated that she had also already spoken to Acting City Manager Agee and Councilman Smith about her concerns but wanted to bring it to their attention as well. She stated that her granddaughter’s car has been damaged due to the city trees that need to be removed. She stated that there are trees all over town that need to be taken down. She noted that there is a tree at 628 S. Pine that is dead and her tenants don’t want to park in the driveway under it. She stated that she is aware that there is a tree board but the dead trees and branches need to be addressed.
Chief Dodson introduced both Patrolman Brandt and Patrolman Ripperda. They were sworn in by the City Clerk. He noted that both officers started their careers with the Clinton County Sherriff’s Department. Chief Dodson reported that both officers are enrolled in the SWIC Police Academy which is a 14 week academy followed by a 12 week training program.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Sauer and seconded by Councilman Smith to Approve Items 1 – 7 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The December 23, 2019 Council Meeting
2. Approval Of The Minutes Of The December 30, 2019 Special Council Meeting
3. Approval Of The Minutes Of The January 9, 2020 Special Council Meeting
4. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $662,450.79
5. Approval of Request to Allow Use of Lake Centralia by the Hollywood Heights Bass Club for a Tournament on April 26, 2020
6. Approval of Request to Use Lake Centralia by the Southern Illinois All-Stars Fishing Club For Fishing Tournaments in 2020
7. 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.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None
BIDS
None
ORDINANCES
A motion was made by Councilman Jones and seconded by Councilman Marshall to Approve An Ordinance Accepting The Bid And Approving An Agreement For The Sale Of Certain Real Estate By The City And Authorizing Said Sale-.048 Acres Adjacent To 326 S. Locust.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
Councilman Sauer stated that it appears that the lease presented for the Department Of Veterans’ Affairs is good for the City and they would be good tenants. A motion was made by Councilman Jones and seconded by Councilman Smith to Approve An Ordinance Approving An Agreement With The State Of Illinois To Lease Office Space To The Illinois Department Of Veterans’ Affairs.
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
None
OTHER BUSINESS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
REPORTS
City Clerk Enke reported that the City Hall offices will be closed on Monday January 20th in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Acting City Manager Agee stated that the 2019 fiscal year is being closed out in preparation of the annual audit. He stated that it has been a busy week and he has fielding numerous calls concerning trees, potholes, and other miscellaneous items of concern to discuss with Jeff Schwartz when he returns. He stated that each of the Councilmen have a letter that the Fire Chief sent to American Equipment and Machine thanking them for their assistance with the repair of a fire department vehicle. Chief Lynch stated that American Equipment & Machine assisted with the repair of the snorkel truck due to the lower boom leaking. He stated that they did not have a local mechanic that could help and they were going to have to take it to Indiana. He stated that they made the repairs and refused to accept any payment for it so he wanted to make the Council aware of the assistance that they provided for the department and wanted to acknowledge them for saving them not only money but also reduced the time that the truck would have been out of service in case of emergency. Councilman Sauer asked the City Attorney if there would be an issue with making a resolution at this meeting to thank them and adopt the letter from John Lynch. Attorney Gruenke stated that there is nothing binding on it so the Council could vote on it. He also suggested that they could wait till the next meeting and the Clerk could prepare a formal resolution to frame and present to the company. Mayor Williams and the Council suggested contacting them to see if they would come to the next meeting to be acknowledged as well. Mayor Williams stated that this continues to show that the area communities and companies are working together for the good of the community.
Acting City Manager Agee stated that the demolition of the former Clerk’s office at the old City Hall started last week to allow the Police Department to move the Telecommunicator’s and Records into the former Clerk’s office. He stated that once that is finished they will move the Fire Chief’s office and some of their records. He stated that the Chief received renderings of the space and would like to present it to the Council. Mayor Williams asked if this space would provide a space for all police records to be in one area. Chief Dodson stated that this remodel will move and combine investigations, records, and dispatch into one area. He stated that this is due to a grant that the 911 board received to transition into a new telecommunication system called Next Generation 911 (NG911). He stated that this upgrade will allow for cell phone calls to be located on the mapping system as well as incorporate the landline locations. He stated that the total project cost, that the 911 Board is installing, is approximately $400,000. He stated that basically everything in dispatch is getting replaced and they are taking advantage of it due to the size constraints and the additional equipment and video monitoring that has been added. He stated that this also gives them the opportunity to turn the space into an emergency operating center (EOC). He explained that area will be able to be utilized by other people as needed during an emergency situation or natural disaster to help deal with the emergency. He stated that this is a benefit for Centralia and the surrounding area to improve response. He stated that with the relocation of records, the records clerk can step in to assist the dispatch as needed. He stated that the minor record department’s tasks can also be completed by dispatch when they have time, with the records clerk still focusing on the more intense record keeping tasks and sex offender registry. He noted that the former clerk’s office has a phenomenal shelving system that they will now be able to utilize to protect and store the records in one area. He stated that a conference room, 4 offices, and a soft interview room will be included. Investigations will be moved up into individual offices and this will improving the efficiency of the department, add space, and it will also serve the citizens much better. He stated that the area the Police Department is moving out of will then be utilized by the Fire Department. Mayor Williams questioned if the work was being completed by City crews. Chief Dodson stated that using the City crews is the main plan, but there was discussion with former City Manager Ramey before he retired to discuss using a contractor that could place the studs in the and then let the City employees finish it and do the electrical work. He stated that the radio and 911 work will be paid for with the 911 Board grant. The company that is contracted by the 911 Board for the work is GTSI. He stated that since the move is taking place at the same time as the upgrade, it will allow for a smoother transition to the new system. Councilman Jones asked what the City’s part of the cost will be. Chief Dodson stated that he will be working with the architect, Acting City Manager Agee, and Pat Stedelin to determine what they will be doing. He stated that they will basically be framing out walls to create the space so there should not be much cost involved. He stated this is a once in every 25-30 year opportunity to do this with dispatch. He stated that the last time that 911 spent this kind of money in dispatch was 20 years ago. Councilman Jones questioned if 911 was providing any money for the building. Chief Dodson stated that they are not paying for the construction but they are purchasing all of the radios, telephones, computer equipment, and all new dispatch furniture. He stated that basically the City will build the space and they are filling it. Chief Lynch stated that the location of his current office will be changed over to a captain’s bunkroom. This will allow for the captain to have some space to themselves and create more room. He stated that the old dispatch office will become the Chief’s office in the back portion and the front portion will be for the 3 captains to have workspace. He stated that this will bring the departments together and make it more like an emergency operation center. He stated that he would like to call the building an Emergency Operation Center to make it feel like it is all one unit. Councilman Sauer asked if there would be signage needed eventually. Chief Lynch stated that he would like to see new signage and feels that grants would be more readily available for the building as well. Chief Dodson stated that if the building would have been in place as an EOC in 2001 they would have been able to get more funding at that time. He expects those kind of funds to be available again in the future and it would be a prime funding candidate if it were to be an Emergency Operation Center. Chief Lynch stated that he would like to use the old council chambers as a training facility with a smart board for the department to use for in house training. Chief Dodson stated that in Law Enforcement they are now implementing and offering classes via satellite without the need to drive and the addition of some computers and training tables in that space would allow for it to be used for that purpose as well as be more a more cost effective way to keep their departments trained. Mayor Williams stated that he has been advocating that the City move forward with growth and it sounds like they are moving in that direction. Councilman Smith commend them and stated that he liked their vision. Mayor Williams stated that he has discussed this with the former City Manager and he was on board and it sounds like the plan is going to work well for the City and the citizens of Centralia. Mayor Williams welcomed Bill Agee as the Acting City Manager and thanked him for stepping up to help the Council at this time.
Councilman Jones discussed the recent fire last week and thanked the fire department for their efforts. He stated that while the house was a loss, the house next to it was only 5-10 ft. away and was undamaged due to the department protecting it. He also welcomed the two new patrol officers and wished them good luck. Councilman Jones thanked American Equipment and Machine for their assistance and thanked Chief Lynch for bringing it to their attention.
Councilman Smith thanked Connie Deadmond for discussing her concerns. He stated that is a concern of his as well and it will be discussed further with Public Works Director Jeff Schwartz. He congratulated Patrolmen Brandt and Ripperda. He also thanked American Equipment and Machine for coming to the aid of the Fire Department.
Councilman Marshall congratulates Officers Brandt and Ripperda for joining the force and echoed what Councilman Smith and Jones stated.
Mayor Williams asked for the Chief to update him concerning the emergency sirens that are not working properly. Chief Dodson stated that 911 and ESDA are responsible and working on them. He stated that he was not certain of the time timetable but thought they would be back in operation soon once they got the parts that they needed. He stated that he is aware that there is an issue with it. Chief Dodson stated that the siren is county owned but he would check on the status of the repairs. Councilman Jones asked if they were upgrading it or if it was only repairs. Chief Dodson stated that they were only trying to get it operating again following a lightning strike.
Mayor Williams also further congratulated Officers Brandt and Ripperda.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Jones and seconded by Councilman Smith to Adjourn the meeting.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams
Nays: None
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/01-_January_13_2020(1).pdf
Alerts Sign-up