City of Centralia City Council met May 23.
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 Jackson
Absent: Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin
Staff Members Present: W. Kory Smith, City Manager; Douglas Hoffman, City Attorney; Derek Sherman, Assistant City Manager/Economic Development Director; Gayla Harting; Community Development Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Steve Whritenour, Acting Police Department Chief; Chief Lynch, Fire Department; Bill Agee, City Treasurer; and Kim Enke, City Clerk
PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Kuder led the Pledge of Allegiance and Timothea Reed led the prayer.
AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Mayor Kuder acknowledged that resident Vernell Burris was absent due to illness and asked for those in attendance to keep him in their thoughts and prayers.
Malaya Downey and Carleka Spann addressed the Council in regard to the Juneteenth Celebration. They discussed the history of Juneteenth and discussed the Juneteenth Celebration to be held on Saturday June 18, 2022. They thanked the City Council for the approval of the road closure for the event and stated that the event will consist of vendors, food, activities, and live entertainment. They stated that they are still accepting vendor applications and invited the public to attend the celebration being held at Laura Leake Park.
The State Farm Day Proclamation proclaiming June 1st at State Farm Day was presented to Jack Graham from the local State Farm Agency.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve Items 1-4 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The May 9, 2022 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $995,783.89
3. An Ordinance Waiving The Application Of Section 20-125(B)(2) Of The Centralia Municipal Code And Approving A Request By The McKendree University Bass Fishing Team To Use Centralia Lake On September 25, 2022
4. A Resolution Approving the Temporary Closure of Various City Streets for the Juneteenth Celebration on June 18, 2022
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Mike Phalin addressed the City Council and discussed the project that Clearwave Communications is planning for Centralia. He discussed the history of the company explaining that currently they are offering fiber to area businesses and now has determined that they intend to offer fiber for residential customers throughout the entire city. He reported that the speeds will be 10 GB capable and offer initial packages between $65.00 and $85.00. He noted that it is competitively priced and extremely reliable. He explained that they plan to begin in 2023 and hope to complete the project within 6 months. He stated that it may be a combination of buried fiber and aerial fiber. He stated that he has met with the City Manager and Public Works Supervisor. Councilman Castellari asked if they are also looking at the rural areas surrounding the city and Mr. Phalin stated that they are not at this time in this phase but will look at any grant opportunities to get access into rural communities.
BIDS
None
ORDINANCES
City Manager Smith explained that state statutes allow the City to set the limits on raffles. He stated that at the request of some of the nonprofit organizations, it is being proposed to increase the $100,000 limit to $250,000. He stated that the increased limits will also increase foot traffic for the non-for-profits and increase the presence at the raffles such as the Queen of Hearts. He stated that COVID has hampered attendance at these events and they hope that this increase will improve attendance. A motion was made by Councilman Castellari and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve An Ordinance Amending Chapter 11, Section 11-230 (d) Of The Centralia Municipal Code Regarding The Regulation Of Raffles.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder
Nays: None
City Manager Smith provided the details concerning the proposed amendment to the Municipal Code concerning the cemetery regulations. He noted that the amendment would require that a licensed funeral director must be present during interment or removal of remains. He stated that this revision is also recommended by the Cemetery Manager and Cemetery Board. He stated that this process has been followed in the past, but the amendment adds the language to the Municipal Code. A motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve An Ordinance Amending Chapter 7, Section 7-71 Of The Centralia Municipal Code Regarding Cemetery Interment Authorization.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder
Nays: None
City Manager Smith explained that the Zoning Administrator has presented the language revision for the property in the B-3 District to be zoned to allow potential developers of the former IGA property to operate a car wash. He stated that amendment will allow for the property to be zoned properly and the impact would be minimal due to another car wash already being located nearby. A motion was made by Councilman Castellari and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve An Ordinance Designating An Amendment To The Centralia Zoning And Subdivision Code Article III-10-2-3-109.3, Special Uses For The B-3 Highway/Arterial Business District, To Include Car Washes.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder
Nays: None
City Manager Smith stated that this proposed amendment was also presented for modification of the language by the Zoning Administrator for mini storage facilities. He stated that developers have requested this amendment to the language. He stated that the B-4 code would mimic B-3 which already allows storage facilities. A motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve An Ordinance Designating An Amendment To The Centralia Zoning And Subdivision Code Article III 10-2-3-115.3, Special Uses For The B-4 Corridor Business District, To Include Mini Storage Facility.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder
Nays: None
Mayor Kuder stated that Council will table the Ordinance Designating An Amendment To The Centralia Zoning And Subdivision Code Article III-10-2-3-115.3, Special Uses For The B-4 Corridor Business District, To Include Indoor or Outdoor Commercial Entertainment Or Recreational Facilities Including Theatres, Bowling Alleys, Swimming Pools, Billiard Parlors, Etc. for further review.
RESOLUTIONS
City Manager Smith stated that this agreement with the engineers of Gonzalez includes performing an annual inspection of Raccoon Lake dam, preparing a report with photos and submitting the report to the Illinois Department of Natural resources as required. He noted that the fee for the services is $1,700.00 for the inspection of the integrity of the dam. A motion was made by Councilman Castellari and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve A Resolution Approving An Agreement With Gonzalez Companies, LLC. To Perform An Annual Raccoon Lake Dam Inspection.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
City Manager Smith reported that this agreement is also for a routine inspection. He explained that this inspection is for the bridges over N. Oak, E. Noleman, S. Pine and any other structures requested by the City for inspection. He stated that the engineers will provide the inspection and prepare the inspection for submission to the Illinois Department of Transportation. He stated that the rates will be as set forth in the agreement for services. A motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve A Resolution Approving An Agreement With Gonzalez Companies, LLC. To Perform Bridge Inspections.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Kuder
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
City Manager Smith explained that the City of Centralia and Central City currently have a contract in order to have Centralia collect the fees for sewer and sanitation services. He stated that recently Central City has decided to make a change to sanitation services with a new contractor that will be providing the billing and collection for sanitation. He stated that the City of Centralia will continue to bill the Central City residents for water and sewer fees with an increase to the fee from $1.00 to $2.00 per bill. He stated that the increase would offset the cost of supplies, postage and software and reduce the overhead while also maintaining a good working relationship with Central City. He noted that the Village of Central City has approved the amendment which would amount to $1000.00 on a bi-monthly basis. A motion was made by Councilman Castellari and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve A Resolution Approving An Intergovernmental Utility Billing Agreement between the City of Centralia and the Village of Central City.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, 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 there are several annual licenses that will be expiring on June 30th. She reported that the notices have been sent to the business owners that will need to be renewed including liquor, gaming, and tobacco establishments. She stated that the lake lease notices for the year have also been sent to those that have a lake lease. She noted that the leases that have an annual increase which is calculated based on the consumer price index will have an increase of 8.5% with a due date of August 1st. She also reminded residents that City Hall will be closed on Monday May 30th in observance of Memorial Day.
City Manager Smith reported that the aggregation agreement is set to expire, and he has met with Good Energy to begin the process and determine a plan to move forward soon with a new aggregation agreement. He stated that the initial rate increase is projected at 10 cents to 14 cents per kilowatt. He stated that he is also intending to meet with other municipalities that will be taking part in the aggregation program. He stated that the rates are going up and this aggregation will help control the cost to some extent. He stated that each resident has the choice to opt in or out of the program but it is another option for residents to be able to consider.
City Manager Smith also reported that he has met with the Water Treatment Plant Engineers, and they have informed him that they are currently working with the local vendors to incorporate them for the pumps and chemical feeds. He reported that the engineers are also scheduling field surveys and working on the preliminary designs. He stated that Jeff Schwartz and himself are set to meet with the engineers again very soon.
City Manager Smith explained that the Fire Chief, John Lynch, has submitted his intent to retire. City Manager Smith announced that Captain Day will be taking the responsibility as the Acting Fire Chief during the interim.
City Manager Smith acknowledged the Manager from Walmart, Shannon, that was in attendance. He noted that the re-grand opening of the store was held previously this week and thanked Walmart for what they have done for the community.
City Manager Smith updated the City Council on the Hoffman Hart bid process noting that he is still reviewing the bid and having further discussions with the bidders. He stated that he hopes for further progress in the next couple weeks in order to move forward.
City Manager Smith reported that he is currently reviewing some of the water contracts for satellite customers that are expiring soon including Raccoon Water and Irvington. He noted that the contracts will be updated and will include increases.
Mayor Kuder reported that himself and the City Manager threw out the first pitch as the recent baseball tournament that was held at Fairview Park. He stated that the tournament included 18 teams with many positive comments from residents concerning the large crowd and the use of the park.
Mayor Kuder reported that Hillcrest Cemetery will hold a Memorial Day service on Memorial Day and invited everyone to attend.
Mayor Kuder congratulated Captain Day for stepping up to fill in during the interim until the Fire Chief position is filled.
Mayor Kuder also congratulated all graduates at all levels of education as this school year comes to a close.
Mayor Kuder also reported that there will be t-ball camps at Gaetti Sports Academy on May 28th and June 11th from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for anyone with young children that are interested.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Adjourn The Meeting.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, 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.
https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/05-_May_23_2022.pdf
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