City of Centralia City Council met Nov. 22.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
This meeting was conducted and attended as a full hybrid meeting. The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met in person with a video conference option for the public. Mayor Kuder called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Kuder, Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, & Councilman Jackson Absent: None
Staff Members Participating Physically at City Hall: Scott Randall, City Manager; Derek Sherman, Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Director; Jeff Schwartz; Public Works Director; Michelle Liggett, Finance Director; Gayla Harting; Community Development Director; Chief Dodson, Police Department; Bill Agee, City Treasurer; William Smith, City Attorney; and Kim Enke, City Clerk
Staff Members Participating Electronically: None
PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Kuder led the Pledge of Allegiance and Vernell Burris led the prayer.
AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Ray Young addressed the City Council regarding the regulations of Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act. He explained that he has 25 years of experience with Section 3. He stated that he feels that the City and other entities can do better with implementing Section 3. He discussed his conversations with the Mayor and City Manager concerning Section 3 compliance. He stated that he would like to follow up with the Mayor for a meeting to address his concerns.
Steve Coleman addressed the City Council stating that more retail businesses are needed in Centralia. He noted that he is aware of the funding that the City will be receiving as federal funding. He stated that while the old buildings are being torn down, new businesses are needed.
Vernell Burris addressed the City Council concerning the budget of the street department, recreation and pool over the past 8 years. He stated that the City should have a swimming pool. He also noted that the number of staff in the street department has also been reduced. He added that the past administration and elected officials depleted funds by lowering the tax rates. He proposed that the Council put funds in the budget for the swimming pool and increase the taxes not only 2% but instead by 20%.
Jennifer Stilt addressed the City Council regarding the kennel ordinance approved at the last meeting. She stated that she was aware that all of the City Council did agree to the change but asked why they thought it was okay to allow the kennel to be within 100’ of structure if it was attended. She explained that although it is required to be attended to, it is not going to change the noise level of the dogs. She stated that the decibel level of a dog bark is 80-90 decibels, and the level of human speech is 60 decibels. Her concerns were that the business intends to have accommodations for up to 54 dogs the noise level that would create. She stated that there would be very little that stops someone from having a kennel in a business district and it doesn’t seem that it is in the best interest of the residents.
Herb Williams addressed the City Council as the Executive Director of the Centralia Community Youth Center. He stated that the concern is that he had read that the Youth Center had employees of the City as part time workers of the youth center. He stated that the City has never had a part time employee for the youth center. He stated that the City has given the youth center money and they appreciate that. He stated that the City of Centralia for many years had provided summer jobs for kids and in the past they were swimming pool lifeguards, umpires, concession stand workers in a summer program to help kids. He stated that this is the same program that is now used by the Youth Center. He stated that there are 4 full time employees for the summer camp. He stated that there are 60 kids in the summer camp program each day. He stated that he understands that it has been recommended that the program should not exist. He stated that they had 4 full time employees and he chose to convert two of the full-time jobs to part time, which then provided 6 employees. He stated that at the end of the summer he requested that one young lady be kept for a month. He stated that she is not employed by the City but by the Youth Center and drives from Carbondale to Centralia. He requested that the Mayor and Council continue to support the Youth Center and continue the program that has been established. He stated that next week he will be meeting with the Lt. Governor’s office and Senator Duckworth. He stated that the Youth Center has grown and continues to grow. He also noted that the City of Carbondale has put over $100,000 into their Youth Center building for their kids. He stated that Centralia is losing their youth and asked to continue the summer program. He reiterated that it is not a part time employee for the youth center but a summer youth program. He stated that if this is let go, they can’t do their summer program.
Joan Crawford addressed the City Council to request that her mother, La Veeda Gardner, have a street dedicated in her name at the corner of Haussler and Franklin to recognize her contributions to Centralia. She provided a copy of her biography and signed petitions.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Approve Items 1-7 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The November 8, 2021 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of The Minutes Of The November 17, 2021 Work Session
3. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $901,943.70
4. Receive And Place On File The Monthly Treasurer’s Report As Of October 31, 2021
5. A Resolution To Declare Certain Water And Sewer Accounts Owed To The City As Uncollectible Accounts And To Authorize Closure Of The Accounts
6. A Resolution Approving A Request By The Downtown Christmas Stroll Committee For Use Of City Owned Property During An Event of December 3, 2021
7. A Resolution Setting Regular Meeting Dates for the Centralia City Council and Various Boards and Commissions for Calendar Year 2022
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
None
BIDS
None
ORDINANCES
City Manager Randall stated that the ordinance amends the fees by increasing the towing fees from $85 to $100 and after hour tow fees from $120 to $140. He stated that the storage fees are also being increased from $30 to $35 per day. Chief Dodson stated that this establishes the fees that the tow companies can charge, and the current fees have been in place since 2014. He stated that the cost of doing business has increased for the tow operators over the years. He stated that none of the fees go to the City. Councilman Smith asked what criteria the operators are required to meet to be on the list. Chief Dodson stated that the ordinance has a lot of requirements including insurance requirements. He stated that this amendment also requires that the operators have valid Illinois Commerce Commission operating authority which is already part of the State Statue. He explained that this is an additional cost to the operator and each operator will have to meet the exact same requirements. A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve An Ordinance Amending The Centralia Municipal Code Regarding Chapter 13, Section 13-60, Regarding The Qualifications Of Towing Services Utilized By The Centralia Police Department And The Fees Charged By Tow Operators.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
RESOLUTIONS
City Manager Randall stated that the 2021 budget for Motor Fuel tax allocated $120,000. He stated that it is requested to allocate an additional $27,000 to account for additional oil and chip and salt. This would increase the total from $120,000 to $147,000. He stated that the current MFT account has the funds to accommodate the increase. A Motion was made by
Councilman Castellari and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Approve A Resolution For Maintenance Under The Illinois Highway Code For 2021 MFT Expenditures.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
OTHER BUSINESS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
REPORTS
City Clerk Enke reported that the Cross Connection surveys that are required by the EPA will begin to be sent to residents this month. She stated that the survey will be mailed but it will also be available electronically for residents to complete online. She also noted that the City Hall offices will be closed on November 24th and 25th in observance of Thanksgiving and the trash services will not be collected on Thursday but will resume Friday with Thursday’s route being collected on Friday and Friday’s route being collected on Saturday.
City Treasurer Agee reported that a request for proposal for audit services has been sent out for services for the year ending 2021 through 2023. He stated the proposals will be submitted by December 13th and on the December 20th agenda for approval.
City Manager Randall stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission met and approved the use permits for the Hair of the Dog and also for Fabcoat. He noted that Fabcoat will be located on Airport Rd. and will employee approximately 30 people. He anticipates that they will be open by the the 1st of March. He also reported that four businesses were successful in receiving state grants for a total of $75,000. He stated that the City Council has been invited to attend the new Surgical Center Ribbon cutting on E McCord that will be held.
Councilman Castellari stated that it is nice to see the number in attendance at the meeting. He stated that while they may not answer right away, they must do their due diligence and they will do what they can.
Councilman Smith also noted that it great to see the amount of people in attendance. He thanked Mr. Young as well for his comments and thanked Gayla Harting for her work with Planning and Zoning.
Councilman Griffin also thanked those in attendance and stated that he appreciated the passion of Steve Coleman for the City adding that he shares great ideas with the Council. He also thanked Vernell Burris for his comments about the swimming pool. He stated that he agrees with his statement about the property taxes but feels 20% is too much at once. Councilman Griffin confirmed with the City Manager the amount budgeted for the Youth Center is higher this year. City Manager Randall stated that the allocation in the 2021 budget was $45,000 and the allocation for the 2022 budget is proposed to increase from $45,000 to $55,000. He stated that in the 2021 there was also a budget for part time staff that was an additional $9000- $9600. He stated that they would be whole with the proposed budget providing the $55,000 that has no restriction on how it is be spent. Councilman Griffin confirmed that they will be budgeted for essentially the same total amount to be spent by the City.
Councilman Jackson stated that he also appreciated those that were in attendance and receive the feedback from those that shared their comments.
Mayor Kuder stated that Orphan Basketball season is officially starting and hopes to see them regain the title as the winningest team in the nation.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Adjourn The Meeting.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:43 p.m.
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