City of Centralia City Council Met Feb. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Per Senate Bill 2135, the City Council for Centralia, Illinois met via video conference. Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Williams, Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, & Councilman Marshall (Mayor Williams and Councilman Jones were present at City Hall and all others attended remotely)
Absent: None
Staff Members Participating Physically at City Hall: Lowell Crow, City Manager; Luke Behme, City Attorney; Bill Agee, City Treasurer; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; and Kim Enke, City Clerk
Staff Members Participating Electronically: Michelle Liggett, Finance Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Chief Lynch, Fire Department and Chief Dodson, Police Department
PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Williams led the Pledge of Allegiance.
AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Comments were submitted prior to the meeting and were read and shared by the City Clerk.
Vernell Burris stated that Brookside is too dark and he would like for the City to look at adding some additional street lights.
Finance Director Michelle Liggett was recognized for 15 years of service.
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 January 25, 2021 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $856,094.30
3. A Resolution Confirming Appointments Of Certain Individuals To Various Board 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.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None
BIDS
City Manager Crow stated that the bids were opened last week for the police vehicle and the funds will come out of the DUI fund. He stated that there is a possibility that the City won’t be able to get this vehicle due to the production stopping on these vehicles caused by a shortage in parts. Chief Dodson explained that Miles Chevrolet had ordered 50 vehicles prior to the stop in production, so he is hopeful to get one of those vehicles. He added that If they don’t, they will need to pursue another option. Councilman Jones stated that his question was answered concerning why the two vehicles are being purchased so early in the year and understood that the options may take them longer to get the vehicle. Chief Dodson stated that even with the purchase being now, the department doesn’t expect to receive it until April or possibly May. Mayor Williams asked if it will be the Chief’s vehicle or a patrol vehicle. Chief Dodson stated that it will be the Chief’s vehicle and the Chief’s current vehicle gets moved to frontline. He noted that each year they continue to be moved down. He explained that this is done to reduce the number of miles put on the vehicles during the initial years and to keep them under warranty as long as possible since typically 33,000-40,000 miles are put on the vehicles each year. He also noted the hours on the engine are even much higher due to run time. A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jones to Approve The Bid Received For The Purchase of One Police Vehicle From Miles Chevrolet For A Total Amount Of $42,023.00.
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 Crow explained that the City is in the process of recoating all of the elevated water tanks. He stated that 6 bids were received, it came in under the estimated cost and it was budgeted. Jeff Schwartz stated that this bid also includes the interior lining of the tank which will last for 10-15 more years. He stated that it was approximately $80,000 less than expected and this is the same company that did the work on the Rt 51 South tower. Councilman Jones asked if there was any contingency and Director Schwartz stated that they bid exactly the work that is to be done. A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jones to Approve The Bid From Trikote For The Protective Coating Restoration For A 500,000 Gallon Elevated Water Storage Reservoir Along With Ground Storage Reservoir And Miscellaneous Concrete At The Water Treatment Plant In The Amount Of $448,800.00.
Ayes: Councilman Jones, Councilman Smith, Councilman Sauer, Councilman Marshall, and Mayor Williams
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
ORDINANCES
City Manager Crow stated that the Marion County Trustee list was reviewed and the City already owned a neighboring property that would allow these two properties to be put together for a possible building. Community Development Director Gayla Harting noted that the City owns 135 N Maple which will allow for the properties both to become surplus and be possibly built on together. A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Sauer to Approve An Ordinance Approving A Purchase Contract from the Marion County Trustee for the Purchase of Vacant Property in Centralia – 129 N Maple.
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
Community Development Director Harting stated that this is part of the paperwork for the $125,000 grant. She added that this grant is still through IHDA and for the clean-up of the community, but it is the first received from this particular program. She also reported that she will be applying for the round 5 of the APP grant. Councilman Smith thanked Gayla for her work to bring these grants for the City. A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Sauer to Approve A Resolution Accepting A Grant From The Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Strong Communities Program.
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 discussed the recent bid notices that are expected to be on the next agenda for approval including the Greenview Road Force Main and Public Works materials. She also noted that the surplus property for sale will be on the following agenda to include the bid opening.
City Manager Crow stated that the search continues for a new Assistant City Manager which will be discussed later during the closed session. He also noted that he has been in contact with the State and is hopeful that there will be a second round of grants available. He stated that all of the money was not used in the southern region and he will update the Council as there are more discussions and if the funds become available. Mayor Williams asked for clarification concerning who is eligible for these grants. City Manager Crow explained that previously a business or non-profit that did not receive the BIG grant would be eligible. He stated that previously 15 applied, 10 were eligible, 3 were disqualified due to receiving the BIG grant and one was disqualified by the state due to the amount of gaming revenue and one was a lending institution. He stated that more details will be provided once more information is provided and available from the State. Councilman Jones asked for explanation of the BIG grant. City Manager Crow stated that it was the Business Interruption Grant that was provided by the State. It was for the eligible businesses and later the non-profits that did not apply through the cities and they were $10,000 to $15,000 grants. Mayor Williams asked what the grants could be used for. City Manager Crow stated that it has to be used for anything related to COVID such as revenue loss or lost business. He stated that they can’t be used for upgrades of the building or improvements and they were required to show that they lost revenue due to COVID.
Councilman Smith congratulated Michelle Liggett on 15 years of service with the City. He also thanked the City staff and crews that assisted with a recent deer accident in his neighborhood.
Councilman Sauer discussed the business grant in more detail and clarified that the improvements from the grant could include improvements that were necessary and related to preparing for COVID. City Manager Crow stated that if the businesses had to make improvements due to the changes made in the way they had to do business, that was an acceptable cost. He used Bill’s tax Service as an example due to their need to add computer systems to work with their new system due to COVID. Councilman Sauer stated that he would like to see more people apply.
Mayor Williams congratulated Michelle Liggett for her years of service and Gayla Harting for her work with the grant to benefit the community.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Smith 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, Specific Individuals Who Serve As Independent Contractors In A Park, Recreational, Or Educational Setting, Or Specific Volunteers Of The Public Body Or Legal Counsel For The Public Body, Including Hearing Testimony On A Complaint Lodged Against An Employee, A Specific Individual Who Serves As An Independent Contractor In A Park, Recreational, Or Educational Setting, Or A Volunteer Of The Public Body Or Against Legal Counsel For The Public Body To Determine Its Validity And Under 5 ILCS 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 6:25 p.m.
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