City of Centralia City Council met June 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met in the Council Chambers at Centralia City Hall. Mayor Pro Tem Smith called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin & Councilman Jackson
Absent: Mayor Kuder, Councilman Castellari
Staff Members Present: W. Kory Smith, City Manager; Douglas Hoffman, City Attorney; Derek Sherman, Economic Development Director; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Steve Whritenour, Acting Police Department Chief; Jeff Day, Acting Fire Department Chief; Bill Agee, City Treasurer; and Kim Enke, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk
PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Pro Tem Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance and Spring Thomas led the prayer.
AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA
None
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Becky Gruen addressed the Council with a request to have rock added to Mercer Lane. She explained the number of potholes and the condition of the road.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith provided an update concerning resident Vernell Burris
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 June 13, 2022 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of The Minutes Of The June 13, 2022 Public Hearing
3. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $680,580.67
4. A Resolution Approving The Temporary Closure Of Various City Streets For The 4th Of July Parade Hosted By The Centralia Veterans Affairs Committee
5. Approval Of Request To Allow Use Of Lake Centralia By The Clay City Bass Club For A Tournament On July 9, 2022
6. Approval Of Request To Allow Use Of Fairview Park By The Chamber Of Commerce For The Centralia Balloon Fest On August 19th and August 20th, 2022
7. Approval of the Request for a Fireworks Display on Lake Centralia by the Lake Association
Ayes: Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Pro Tem Smith
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
RESOLUTIONS
A motion was made by Councilman Griffin and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve A Resolution Approving An Agreement With Jeff Day Regarding His Employment As Fire Chief.
Ayes: Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Pro Tem Smith
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
Other Business
City Clerk Enke administered the oath of office to Fire Chief Jeff Day. He thanked the City Manager, Mayor and City Council for the opportunity and also thanked the retired Fire Chief, John Lynch.
ORDINANCES
City Manager Smith stated that without a super majority of the Council attending the items to be approved for the sale of property should be tabled. He stated that the highest bidders are recommended to be awarded and it will be on the agenda again on July 11th. A motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Table Items 1-5 under Ordinances.
Ayes: Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Pro Tem Smith
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
City Manager Smith explained that approval of the lease is similar to the sale of property and will require a super majority vote. He recommending tabling this item to be placed on the next agenda. A motion was made by Councilman Griffin and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Table An Ordinance Approving A Renewal Of A Property Lease Agreement With Illinois Central Railroad Company At The Water Filtration Plant.
Ayes: Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Pro Tem Smith
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATION
Ms. Teresa Guinzy, the owner of Lucky Dogs, LLC addressed the City Council in regard to requesting that her establishment be allowed to receive a class A license due to not meeting the requirements of a Class E. She stated that the business currently has a Class E license. She provided an overview of the original business plan and the buildout of the establishment as a restaurant. She explained the menu changes and the increased signage that the business has undergone since opening in 2021. She stated that food sales have started in increase and food has begun to outsell alcohol sales. She provided a menu to the City Council Members. She informed the Council that there is a manager that runs the day-to-day business as well as other employees that have worked at the location since opening. She discussed the delay in opening that they had with the state. She stated that she feels the business is doing well and they are promoting food. She stated that they have invested their savings to start the business and COVID also caused hardship and delays. She stated that she is requesting the change so that they can continue to operate the business and not close. She explained that if the license is changed to a Class A, they will continue to offer food. Councilman Griffin asked if it was a restaurant and questioned if a teenager could go to the restaurant to only eat. Ms. Guinzy stated that the gaming room requires that they are 21 but the restaurant is in the front and anyone can eat there. She stated that the age requirement has been part of the reason in the delay due to many thinking that 21 is the age requirement to enter. Councilman Griffin also asked if the business is a franchise or a business that she developed. Ms. Guinzy stated that other stores have the logo but they are not a franchise. She stated that there are other Lucky Dogs including another one that is opening in Mattoon with the same name and signage but she was unaware of their business plan. Councilman Griffin also asked how many employees worked at the location and Ms. Guinzy reported that there are 9 including herself. Mr. Griffin also asked if there were other locations that were also owned or operated and Ms. Guinzy stated that this was the only location owned by her. Mayor Pro Tem Smith stated that the request would be reviewed and that the City Manager or City Clerk would contact her.
BIDS
None
OTHER BUSINESS
None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
REPORTS
Councilman Jackson congratulated Jeff Day for his appointment as Fire Chief. He also wished everyone a safe and happy 4th of July.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith also congratulated Jeff Day for his appointment as Fire Chief and thanked him for making the transition easy. He also thanked the Downtown Co-Op for the decoration of the light posts for Pride Month.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith stated that Mayor Kuder also wanted him to convey that he appreciated and thanked Malaya Downey and the Juneteenth Committee for the successful Juneteenth Celebration. Mayor Pro Tem
Smith also thanked Ameren and Tri-County for their work along with the Public Works, Police Department, and Fire Department following the storm and during the clean-up.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith reminded residents to attend the 11th Annual 4th of July Parade to be held on July 4th beginning at 1 p.m. He noted that line up will begin at Noon at Chestnut and will proceed to Fairview Park. He also noted that there will be a parade at the BCMW Headstart on Friday July 1st at 10 a.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Smith also reminded residents about the upcoming Centralia Night at Busch Stadium on Wednesday July 13th with ticket sales proceeds going towards downtown Christmas lights.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Adjourn The Meeting.
Ayes: Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, and Mayor Pro Tem Smith
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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