City of Centralia City Council met Feb. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council for Centralia, Illinois me in the Council Chambers at Centralia City Hall. 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 Present: 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; Chief Lynch, Fire Department; Bill Agee, City Treasurer; William Smith, City Attorney; and Kim Enke, City Clerk
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
Fire Captain Wesley R. Castang was recognized for his retirement following over 25 years of service. Service Awards were announced by Mayor Kuder recognizing Firefighter Blaine R. Hyde for 15 Years Of Service and Public Works Chief Operator James P. Jennings For 20 Years Of Service.
Shirlena Barnes addressed the City Council regarding the recent arrest of her nephew and another female on January 20th. She explained the incidents that occurred with the arrest. She discussed the communication with the Police Chief and the attempt to communicate with the City Manager. She voiced her concerns with the recent incidents.
Mr. Vernell Burris expressed that he objected to the union contracts with 4% raises noting that it burdens the citizens and taxpayers.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Approve Items 1-3 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The January 24, 2022 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $1,051,892.28
3. Approval of Request to Use Lake Centralia by the Southern Illinois All-Stars Fishing Club For Fishing Tournaments in 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
City Manager Randall explained that bids were opened for the mowers on February 8th with two bidders. He stated that the low bidder was $12,432.23 and the budget for the mower was $12,000.00. Councilman Smith asked if there were any other local bidders. Public Works Director Schwartz reported that there were no other bidders. City Manager Randall stated that a bid was received and confirmed by the Clerk that it was a week late and from another out-of-town company with a bid over $21,000.00. A Motion was made by Councilman Griffin and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve the Bid For A Zero Turn Lawn Mower For The Public Property Division From Molenhour Power Equipment In The Amount of $12,432.23.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
City Manager Randall stated that the bids for the Blackberry Run road project were opened on February 8th with three bidders. He stated that all of the bids submitted were under the engineer’s estimate for the project. He reported that the low bidder was Shores Builders in the amount of $73,020.00. Councilman Smith asked what the scope of work was for the project. Public Works Director Schwartz stated that the bad sections of concrete would be repaired and there was not curb work to be done, but some drainage work at the end. A Motion was made by Councilman Castellari and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve the Bid From Shores Builders Inc. For Improvements To Blackberry Run In The Amount Of $73,020.00
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder
Nays: Councilman Smith
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
ORDINANCES
City Manager Randall stated that recently during a fire department response to Washington Boulevard for an EMS call, the emergency vehicles could not get down the street due to car parking immediately adjacent to the corner and also due to the narrow streets. He stated that the Police Department, Fire Department, and Street Department reviewed this issue, and it was determined that there are four different streets in the community that have this similar issue of narrow streets with boulevards. He stated that it is being recommended to create 20’ no parking zones at entrances and exits so vehicles can make unobstructed turns. Councilman Griffin asked how the signs would read and Public Works Director Schwartz clarified that they would state, no parking here to the corner. Councilman Castellari asked if the residents are notified, and the City Manager explained that the ordinance is in effect after 10 days and after being published in the newspaper. Councilman Griffin asked what homes were affected and if notices could be sent to those that are directly affected so they are aware. City Manager Randall explained that no one will have a house that has parking entirely prohibited but certainly notices could be sent to those in the no parking areas. A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve An Ordinance Establishing A No Parking Zone On Washington Boulevard, South Pullen Boulevard, Clinmar Place and Melrose Avenue.
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 reported that on January 27th, he was notified of an issue with the boiler at old Ever’s Field that was not working and beyond repair. He stated that since temperatures were extremely low, bids were quickly solicited with a proposal from Tate’s to do the work on that same day. He stated that it was repaired that day with some water line repairs the next morning. He acknowledged that they averted a potentially dangerous situation since the boiler was the only source of heat. He stated that the work has been completed and was unbudgeted. Councilman Smith asked when the city took responsibility for the property. Jeff Schwartz stated that he thought it was approximately 5 years ago. Councilman Smith stated that he was aware that it was not long ago but wondered if it was part of the public/private partnership with the Recreation Complex. He expressed his concern that the City is completely responsible for the building when it is used by many others including the High School. Mayor Kuder stated that the City is responsible for the building. Councilman Smith noted that the City is basically caretakers of the property and not getting anything out of it while others are using it. A Motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve A Resolution Waiving The Bidding Requirements And Accepting A Proposal From Tate’s Plumbing, LLC For A Boiler At The Old Evers Field In The Amount Of $15,822.93.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder
Nays: Councilman Smith
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
City Manager Randall explained that there are five different bargaining units. He stated that three of the five agreements were completed before December 31st. He reported that contract did involve one meeting with a federal mediator and the agreement that is proposed is consistent with the other previously approved bargaining agreements. He explained that the changes include increasing compensatory time accrual from 60 hours per year to 80 hours per year, wage increases at 4% per year for all four years of the agreement and with retroactivity to January 1st of 2022. He noted that there was a modest increase in the stipends for some special certifications that are required by the telecommunicators. He explained that the hospitalization changes were consistent with the other three union agreements by annually adjusting the employer and employee contributions based on changes in the rates. He explained that they were staying with the existing portions of the allocations noting that the previous contracts stated that the city would absorb the first 5% of any increase before the employee’s contribution would be increased. He indicated that from this point forward each will be adjusted annually. He also explained that the contract changes affected eligibility for retiree health was increased from eight years of service to fifteen years of service. Also, language was clarified for life insurance that was only being offered to active employees and not retired employees. He indicated that they also changed the way the dental insurance is being compensated and rather than the city paying 100%, it was capped at $19 per month per employee and all the additional costs are absorbed by the employee. He noted that it is a four-year term like all of the agreements. He stated that there was one clarification with a change in one of the job titles within that particular group with the job title of Telecommunications Supervisor being included. He recognized that boards directives were accomplished with a number of cutbacks with a 4% increase for four years. A Motion was made by Councilman Griffin and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve A Resolution To Accept The Collective Bargaining Agreement With The Fraternal Order of Police, Representing Police Telecommunicators.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
City Manager Randall stated that the budget for the current year included allowances in both TIF 3 and TIF 5 for the city's façade loan improvement program. He indicated that this is the first application that has been successfully processed during his tenure. He stated that the total amount of the improvements being undertaken by the property owner is $25,000 of which $12,000 would be financed through the facade loan as a forgivable loan which is amortized over three years. He also noted that assuming the business stays in effect for three years, the $12,000 will become a grant. A Motion was made by Councilman Griffin and seconded by Councilman Smith to Approve A Resolution Approving a Forgivable Loan Agreement from TIF #3 to Salon Thairapy for Façade Improvements at 227 W. Noleman Street.
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
City Attorney Smith began the discussion concerning liquor licensing regulation. He explained that this ordinance was being requested. He reviewed a recent instance where a transfer of a liquor license caused an open license with no applicants available or willing to take the liquor license. He stated that the city council would essentially have to vote to reduce that number. He explained that this ordinance would streamline the process meaning that as soon as a license is vacated or no longer being used, it would terminate itself and be reduced automatically. Mayor Kuder clarified that if a license is turned in, it would not have to come before the Council to minimize it; as soon as they turned it in, the number of licenses will decrease. Attorney Smith explained at this time the liquor commissioner has sole control and discretion over who can be given a license adding that this ordinance would be reducing some of the power of the liquor commissioner and maintaining the power of the Council to controlling who receives liquor licenses. The Clerk added that the licenses will continue to come before the Council to increase the number of licenses when one is requested, and this ordinance will only eliminate the step of decreasing licenses when there is one that's either been promoted to another class or been relinquished or revoked for some reason. Councilman Griffin referred to the instance with Lincoln Liquor due to it being a unique situation of having a Class A available. He asked if this situation would happen again, how does the ordinance give the Council more say in it. Attorney Smith explained that as soon as the license was vacated, it would have been terminated and automatically reduce the number available and the license could not have been given out without approval of the Council to increase the number of licenses available. Councilman Griffin indicated that he thought that this ordinance stemmed from when he voted no. Attorney Smith assured the Council that the instance of someone relinquishing a license is very rare instance. He reiterated that this is just something that the Council can look at and determine if it is needed or not but acknowledged that this is definitely a tool that can be utilized. Councilman Griffin stated that he thought that there were some that thought that he did not know how it worked, but that was not the case. He clarified that his no vote was made to hold out on the Class C, thinking that it would be kept for Lincoln Liquor. He stated that at that time he did not think that they deserved a Class A license. Mayor Kuder noted that this was just discussion at this time and not for a vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
REPORTS
The City Clerk reported that City Hall will be closed on January 21st for Presidents Day, noting that trash will be collected as normal, but the City Hall offices and Public Works office will be closed.
Treasurer Agee reported that the auditors will be in City Hall to begin their field work on the 2021 audit. Councilman Castellari asked if they choose what portions of the budget that they want to look at or if they look at the entire budget. Treasurer Agee stated that they will not look at every transaction, but they will do testing and statistically come up with how many transactions to review. He added that they will look at all of the large transactions but then the smaller ones they will sample.
City Manager Randall provided an update on collective bargaining. He explained that four of the agreements have been ratified with the outstanding one being the FOP representing nineteen police officers. He stated that he met with them on January 31st and did not make any progress. He reported that rather than going arbitration they have indicated that they are interested in meeting again. He stated that he would update the Council when it is scheduled and if they make any progress.
Councilman Castellari recognized Chief John Lynch for rescuing a dog from his sister’s icy pond with the assistance of Dusty Garren, Greg Earle, Kent Pelaez, and Ross Boshera. He detailed the events and applauded Chief Lynch for his effort to rescue the dog.
Councilman Smith acknowledged Centralia High School for their addition of the Coaches Wall of Honor and recently recognizing Dave Carpenter, Jimmy Edwards, Craig Freels, Ann Murray, Don Smith, Coach Troutt and Rod White. He stated that he hoped the tradition will continue. Councilman Smith also wished everyone a Happy Valentine's Day.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Adjourn The Meeting To Closed Session Under 5 ILCS 120/2(C)(21), For The Semi-Annual Review Of The Minutes Of The Meetings Lawfully Closed and 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.
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 6:37 p.m.
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