City of Centralia City Council met April 11.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met 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: Derek Sherman, Assistant City Manager/Economic Development 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, Acting City Manager/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
Mrs. Diana Higgins addressed the City Council in regard to water that sits in front of her home at the corner of Pine and Noleman. She explained that the road was recently resurfaced and there is no longer a grade that allows the water to move and causes the water to be stagnant. She also discussed the Ash tree that is in front of her home that needs to be cut and has broken up the sidewalk as well.
Kelly Fox addressed the City Council in regard to his business at 806 S. Poplar. He discussed the concerns he had with the possible revocation of the special use permit that was previously approved for his restaurant and discussed communication with the Community Development Director and Acting City Manager. He stated that the business will also be selling CBD at retail. He expressed how he has obtained and attorney and wants to be in compliance with the City and State but would like definitive answers about the requirements of the operation to avoid revocation. Mayor Kuder stated that they would work with him to get his business open and stressed the importance of compliance with the Health Department. Mr. Fox explained that the health department is anticipated to inspect it this coming week and the fire department has already inspected it with no issues. Mayor Kuder stated that he should continue to communicate with the Acting City Manager.
Lashawnda Brumfield thanked the City for including her and some of the youth in the community for City Wide Clean Up. She stated that they had a great time, and the kids were encouraged to continue the cleanup efforts once a month on their own in their neighborhoods. She also discussed her recent involvement with R3 and provided information about the R3 service program. Mayor Kuder discussed the other clean ups that are scheduled in the fall and how getting the youth involved in the efforts creates their pride in the community.
A Resolution in Celebration was presented to Travis Henson who attended from Kaskaskia College for Kaskaskia College Month. Mr. Henson discussed how their enrollment has increased and returned to the levels of 2019, noting that enrollment is underway for the summer of 2022. He thanked the City for the support as Kaskaskia College continues to grow. Mayor Kuder discussed the quality of education and number of opportunities available at Kaskaskia College for students to further their education.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve Items 1- 6 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The March 28, 2022 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of$ 616,937.81
3. A Resolution Authorizing The Use Of A City-Owned Parking Lot For A Farmers' Market And Authorizing Terry Herrell As Market Master
4. An Ordinance Approving The Closure And Use Of Streets And Sidewalks And Waiving The Application Of Chapter 11, Section 11- 160 Of The Centralia Municipal Code For A Rail Coffee Room Event On October 15, 2022
5. An Ordinance Approving The Use Of A City Parking Lot And Waiving The Application Of Chapter 11, Section 11- 160 Of The Centralia Municipal Code Regarding The Location Restrictions For Hawkers, Peddlers, And/Or Transient Vendors During A Public Event In The Downtown Area On September 30, 2022
6. Approval Of Request To Place Decorations Upon City Owned Property In The Downtown Area For A Centralia Downtown Co-Op Event
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
Acting City Manager Enke reported that 618 Sports Academy began the lease of the Fairview Park Ball Fields last year and the lease included an annual renewal. She explained that the 618 Sports Academy is requesting a longer lease term due to the financial commitment that they are making in field equipment and improvements to the field and area around it. She stated that they have done a tremendous amount of work and their events also provide economic benefits to the city due to the number of people that attend their games and tournaments. Councilman Smith stated that he appreciates everything that they are doing at the park but wanted to make sure that the public also has access to the fields as well. He also confirmed that they are using their own concessions. Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Approve An Ordinance Approving The Lease Of Ball Fields and Concession Stands At Fairview Park To 618 Sports Academy.
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
Mayor Kuder explained that the employment agreement being considered was for William Smith, who is currently the City Attorney. He stated that Mr. Smith was born and raised in Centralia and committed to improving Centralia while already understanding the operations of the City. He stated that he has a master's in public administration and a law degree. A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve A Resolution Appointing a City Manager And Approving A City Manager Employment Agreement.
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
Acting City Manager Enke thanked those that attended and participated in the City Clean Up. She also stated that the city-wide clean up is this week where residents can place items at their curbs on the day of their trash pickup. Acting City Manager Enke also reported that the City has submitted a grant application for congressionally directed spending thru Senator Durbin' s office. The grant requested was for$ 2. 6 Million for the$ 3. 3 Million project for the water line project from Boulder to the interconnect. She noted that the application was submitted along with letters of support from area businesses, municipalities that the city provides water to, and other community partners such as Kaskaskia College and Centralia High School. She explained that this grant would relieve some of the financial burden placed on the city and residents and allow for more funds to be set aside for the water treatment plant project that is also in progress. Mrs. Enke also reported that the next agenda is anticipated to include approximately five more properties that are being considered for surplus. She noted that they are vacant lots that will be declared surplus and sold.
City Treasurer Agee stated that the State' s Fiscal Year 2023 budget was approved. He noted that there is a 1- year suspension of the 1% sales tax for groceries. He stated that the entire 1% is provided to municipalities. He explained that they are going to reimburse municipalities for the lost revenue through what they are calling the grocery tax replacement fund. Councilman Smith asked when the reimbursement would take place and Treasurer Agee stated that he has not been informed of that yet but hopes that it will continue monthly just as the sales tax is paid. Mr. Agee also reported that there has been a slight increase in the local government distributive fund which is the city' s portion of income tax. He stated that it increased from 6. 06% to 6. 16% of the income tax collections. He stated that in 2011 the city was receiving 10% and it was cut drastically. He stated that IML has been working to get it reinstated, noting that it is a step in the right direction.
Councilman Smith thanked those that participated in the City Clean Up on Saturday. He also thanked Ms. Brumfield for getting involved in the efforts along with some of the youth. He noted that he would like to see this be more a more frequent event in the community.
Councilman Griffin asked for discussion concerning Mr. Fox's business and the comments made during public participation by Mayor Kuder. He asked for clarification about the process to involve the Planning and Zoning Commission. Acting City Manager Enke stated that at this point the City is asking for written clarification about the operation of the business being proposed and for confirmation that there will not be infusion into the food in the restaurant by staff. She stated that if written confirmation is provided, it would not need to go before the Planning and Zoning Commission due to the business owner already having a special use permit for a restaurant. Councilman Griffin stressed that he wanted to make sure that the Council is not giving him a false sense that he can move along with the project. Acting City Manager Enke stated that they would continue to communicate through email to ensure the written confirmation was provided. Councilman Smith confirmed that the approval was contingent upon the written explanation being provided that stated that no infusion would be done by the restaurant. Councilman Griffin asked if there was any control over signage and Acting City Manager Enke stated that there are approvals required through Zoning and Building Code Enforcement. Councilman Griffin asked what the timeline is for this, and the date of the Plan & Zoning Commission meeting was reported as April 21St and it was clarified that Mr. Fox needed to follow up on the emails before any final decisions were made.
Mayor Kuder discussed the efforts of the community members and city staff that contributed to the City Clean Up. He stated that there were approximately 30 people that participated. He noted how much it was appreciated by the community members and thanked those that participated.
Mayor Kuder and each of the City Council Members congratulated City Manager Smith and stated that they are looking forward to working with him.
Mayor Kuder recognized the Boy Scout Troop in attendance that were there to complete their Citizenship In The Community Merit Badge. Mayor Kuder welcomed the troop and invited them to attend future meetings and to reach out if they have any questions.
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: 37 p. m.
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