City of Centralia City Council met Jan. 23.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday, January 23, 2023, 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: Andrew Thomson, City Attorney; Derek Sherman, Economic Development Director; Jeff Day, Fire Department Chief; Christopher Locke, Police Department Chief; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Jeremy Henderson, Finance Director; Bill Agee; City Treasurer; and Kim Enke, Assistant 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
Vernell Burris shared a recent news article concerning housing and he would like the City to also consider addressing the housing issue.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Griffin and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve Items 1 - 4 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The January 9, 2023 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $989,654.45
3. Receive And Place On File The Treasurer’s Report As Of December 31, 2022
4. A Resolution Authorizing The Use Of Raccoon Lake For Boat Races Hosted By The National Boat Racing Association
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, & Mayor Kuder Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Chief Day provided the annual report for the Fire Department. He stated that there 2,097 calls compared to 2,083 in 2021. He provided a breakdown of the types of incidents throughout the year. He reviewed the residential fires that were fought and provided a total estimated loss of $922,865.00 with an estimate of saved properties to be $2.4 million. He provided and overview of the other calls the department assisted with and also discussed the training hours of the department. He noted that the department completed the year with a Chief, 15 firefighters, and 4 part time fire fighters. He explained that the department anticipates a retirement in 2023 that will require the hiring of a new firefighter and one firefighter to become Lieutenant. Mayor Kuder questioned the current ISO rating and the possibility of improving the rating. Chief Day reported that the City is currently a 3 and explained that the water supply is 50% of the ISO rating. He stated that it may be a possibility to improve to a 2 after a new Water Treatment Plant is built if the water pressure is increased.
BIDS
None
ORDINANCES
City Manager Smith stated that The Public Works Department, ESDA and Code Enforcement have several surplus vehicles that are no longer used by the departments. Following the items being declared as surplus property, they will be advertised for sale with a minimum $500 bid set on each item. The items, if not sold through the bid process, will be disposed of as scrap. The vehicles include a 1992 Ford F150, 2000 Ford F150, 2003 Crown Victoria, 2004 Crown Victoria, 2005 Crown Victoria, and a 2006 Ford E350. A Motion was made by Councilman Castellari and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Approve An Ordinance Declaring Certain Property To Be Surplus Property And Authorizing The Sale, Trade, Disposal, Or Donation, Thereof.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, & Mayor Kuder Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
RESOLUTIONS
City Manager Smith explained that on May 12, 2008, the City of Centralia and Jim Shoemaker entered into an agreement at 119 E. Broadway to install a geothermal heating and air unit in addition to wells in the alley adjacent to his property. The agreement allowed for the placement in the alleyway. This unit continues to exist in the same location, but Mr. Shoemaker has now sold the property. The agreement allows for transfer of the license agreement and Mr. Shoemaker has requested that it now be transferred to BTQ, LLC, the new owner of 119 E. Broadway. There is no change in the terms or length of the agreement. City Manager Smith was transparent and made the Council aware that his wife was the new owner of the property and did not want that to be considered as part of the council’s decision to transfer the agreement. A Motion was made by Councilman Griffin and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve A Resolution Approving The Transfer Of A License Agreement For 119 E. Broadway.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, & Mayor Kuder Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
City Manager Smith explained that the police vehicle being considered will be paid for from the vehicle impoundment fund. This vehicle is available that meets the needs of the department from Morrow Brothers Ford, Inc in the amount of $40,945. The additional equipment and installation of equipment includes sirens, warnings lights and controls, interior electronic installation and mounts, prisoner partition, and weapon rack for a total cost of $53,335.00. This resolution approves the waiving of the bid process due to the purchase price being over the authorized spending limit. City Manager Smith also noted that the circumstances surrounding obtaining a second K-9, the vehicle is needed, and the reduced availability of vehicles made this purchase necessary. He also explained that in the past the purchase price of the vehicle was only approved and with this purchase there is full transparency of the total cost of the vehicle which includes the equipment and installation. He also added that with this approval, it will move a front-line vehicle to the K-9 vehicle and then put this new vehicle on the front line. A Motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Approve A Resolution Waiving The Bidding Requirements And Accepting A Proposal From Morrow Brothers Ford, Inc. For The Purchase Of A Police Truck In The Amount Of $53,335.00 Including Police Equipment, Labor, and Installation.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, & Mayor Kuder Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
The Illinois EPA has established compliance requirements in 2022. In order to assess our system and complete the deadlines as required, EJ Water in conjunction with 120 Water have created a plan for compliance. The attached scope of work covers the details of the work to be performed by 120 Water in partnership with EJ Water to communicate with the City and also the IEPA over the course of the project. This resolution will allow for the City Manager to continue to negotiate a contract with 120 Water and EJ Water not to exceed $15,000 per year with an expected two-year term. City Manager Smith explained that this is an obligation to detail the lead lines throughout the City, verifying or possibly replacing the lines in the future and remediation if needed. City Manager Smith and Eric Emmerich, from EJ Water addressed questions raised. It was explained that it is line identification and inventory that is required and in the future the City may be able to request funding to replace the lead lines. Mr. Emmerich stated that it would be completed by the EPA deadline of 2024. It was explained that EJ will subcontract with 120 Water who will study the lines and complete the project in conjunction with EJ Water and the total cost would be $15,000 per year for 2 years. Eric Emmerich stated that the EPA is now requiring the data to determine where and how many lead service lines exist. He stated that it would be obtained through surveys and research of data, details about when homes were constructed to determine if the lines exist on properties and what potential service lines would need to be funded for replacement between the meter and house. He stated that there may be potential funding for City to alleviate the cost to residents in the future depending on the qualifications and grants available in the future. A Motion was made by Councilman Castellari and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve A Resolution Of Intent Of The City To Proceed With A Lead Service Line Inventory Program.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, & Mayor Kuder Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
City Manager Smith explained that the inducement resolution for a development agreement with Re: Purpose Development, LLC is similar to the process for other inducements that the City has approved for other developers prior to negotiating a final development agreement. He noted that the City staff has been working with the Developer regarding the development of property located at 102 E. Broadway and 112 E. Broadway, which is within the Centralia Railroad Corridor TIF Redevelopment Project Area. The proposed development is for mixed-use commercial enterprises. He explained that the proposed project is expected to generate private investment in the targeted area, eliminating blighted conditions and providing for the long-term sound growth of the City. The Developer has and will continue to incur planning and other eligible costs in connection with the project, including studies, surveys, development of plans and specifications, assembly of land, site preparation, professional fees and other costs. He explained that this inducement resolution expresses the intent of a redevelopment agreement and authorizes the City to work with the developer in preparation for a redevelopment agreement for the proposed project which will include specific obligations of the City and Developer. Shannon Cooney representing Re:Purpose Development explained that the proposed development that they are seeking funds for includes the properties of the existing winery, the yard adjoining it and building next to it. He stated that this is the first phase of the project that was awarded by the State last August. It was clarified that the parking lot next to it that is owned by the City would not be affected. He also clarified that the Hoffman Hart building that they recently purchased is in a different phase of the project and not part of this agreement. A Motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve A Resolution Designating A Developer For Redevelopment Of Certain Property Being Considered For A Tax Increment Redevelopment Project And Declaring An Intent To Reimburse Certain Redevelopment Project Costs For Re: Purpose Development, LLC.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, & Mayor Kuder Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
OTHER BUSINESS
Police Chief Locke and Francine Nicholson, the NAACP O’Fallon Metro East Branch President and the Illinois Conference 1st Vice President, presented the history behind the ten shared principles. The importance of adopting and following the resolution to improve the relations between the police and community were discussed. Chief Locke expressed that it should be everyone’s goal to improve the quality of life and reduce crime. Chief Locke and Ms. Nicholson recited the ten shared principles. A Motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Approve A Resolution Affirming The Adoption Of The Ten Shared Principles Designed To Bridge The Gap Of Mistrust Between Law Enforcement And Communities Of Color.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, & Mayor Kuder Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
Chief Locke and Ms. Nicholson proceeded to sign a prepared resolution that contained the ten shared principles.
REPORTS
City Manager Smith noted the pending inclement weather.
Mayor Kuder recognized the Orphans for their recent championship win in West Frankfort. He also recognized the CHS elected May Fete Queen, King and Court. Mayor Kuder also commended Christ Our Rock High School basketball team for their 20 - 0 record.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Castellari and seconded by Councilman Griffin to Adjourn The Meeting.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, & 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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