City of Centralia City Council met March 27.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday, March 27, 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; Christopher Locke, Police Department Chief; Jeff Day, Fire 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 acknowledged the anniversary of the No. 5 Coal Mine Disaster. He also addressed the need for a review of the lighting on the streets along Brookside Avenue. He also stated that the City should consider adding more shelters throughout Centralia.
Mayor Kuder and the Council Members presented a Proclamation for Gary Gaetti Day to Jack Harting represented by Gaetti Sports Academy.
CONSENT AGENDA
A Motion was made by Councilman Griffin and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve Items 1-6 of the Consent Agenda.
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The March 13, 2023 City Council Meeting
2. Approval Of The Minutes Of The March 15, 2023 Public Hearing
3. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $925,699.14
4. Receive And Place On File The Treasurer’s Report As Of February 28, 2023
5. Approval Of Request To Allow Use Of Lake Centralia By The Clay City Bass Club For A Tournament On April 15th
6. A Resolution Confirming Appointments of Certain Individuals to Various Boards and Commissions of the City of Centralia
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
Derek Sherman, the Economic Development Director provided a report about the current airport projects that are being made possible with funding through the FAA that is prioritizing safety. He reported that Airgo is the current Fixed Base Operator and currently has students enrolled. He provided a report about the Amtrak ridership stating that currently it has returned to pre-covid level with the average amount of riders being between 1300 to 2000 riders. He also provided an overview of traffic counts from IDOT at each entrance to the City. Director Sherman also reported that there had been 22 new or expanded businesses that provided 8-10 jobs on average. He stated that there were also some industrial expansions, increasing capacity and jobs. He also noted that there is industrial space for new businesses available as well as property in the Prime Meridian Industrial Park. He reported that commercial blight and vacancies have decreased and the City has seen an increase in occupancy. He also discussed the economic incentives provided and those that are ongoing for local businesses. An overview of tourism and the increase in social media presence in order to drive more tourism was discussed. He stated that there is an increase in attendance and participation in events that has been noticed. An overview of the increase in sales tax was noted to reflect the growth that has been seen in the community. Director Sherman closed by sharing a grant opportunity being offered as a Back to Business grant for hotels, restaurants, and creative arts. He encouraged anyone that feels that they may qualify to reach out to apply and be proactive. Councilman Castellari asked about the management of the airport. Director Sherman stated that Airgo manages their flight school and the large hangar and the terminal. He stated that the City manages the fuel system and maintains the property. Councilman Castellari questioned the current hangar capacity. Mr. Sherman stated that the current capacity is full and there are a large number of requests for more space. Councilman Castellari also asked if the City has ever considered attracting a used aircraft business. Director Sherman stated that he has considered diversifying the use of the airport with other amenities such as mechanics, airplane wash, fuel sales. backwoods camping, airshows, or skydiving.
BIDS
City Manager Smith stated that the maintenance program funded by Motor Fuel Tax Funds is completed each year and includes the oil and chip street rehabilitation and resealing. He noted that bids were opened on March 23rd and the lowest and only bid received for seal coat aggregate was from Beelman Logistics at the rate of $27.30 per ton which was under the estimate of $26.00 per unit for 1700 Tons. The total bid was $46,410.00. He explained that bids were received from Don Anderson Company, Inc., for bituminous aggregate materials. The bid received was at the rate of $3.10 per Gallon. The estimate for this was $3.15 per unit for 30,000 gallons. The total bid was $93,000.00. He reported that the total bid for the two materials, $139,410, is $710.00 above the estimated amount for the 2023 general maintenance. He explained that approval will allow the Mayor to execute the required documents to be submitted to IDOT for approval. He reiterated that the materials were budgeted for, but the bids were above the budgeted amount. A Motion was made by Councilman Jackson and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve Bids Received From Don Anderson Company, Inc. For Bituminous Materials And From Beelman Logistics For Seal Coat Aggregate For The 2023 MFT Oil And Chip Rehabilitation And Resealing Program Contingent Upon IDOT Approval.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, & Mayor Kuder
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
ORDINANCES
None
RESOLUTIONS
City Manager Smith discussed the engineering agreement with Volkert and explained that following approval of the Engineering Services agreement with Volkert for Gragg St., this resolution will now approve the use of funds for the Gragg Street road project engineering in the amount up to $185,000.00. He explained that the road improvements are planned for approximately 1.5 miles along Gragg St. from Lincoln Blvd. to Country Club Rd. This project will include pavement reclamation, aggregate base, HMA binder, HMA surface, aggregate shoulders, ditch grading, pipe culverts, entrance reconstruction, tree removal, seeding, pavement marking, and all other collateral work to complete the contract plans. He stated that the preconstruction meeting was recently held and the project is moving along. A Motion was made by Councilman Griffin and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve A Resolution For Improvement Under The Illinois Highway Code For Gragg St. Improvements.
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 Karen and Wayne Piotrowski, owners of 140 S. Poplar Street are requesting façade improvement funds from TIF #3 for an awning and windows to be placed on the building. The work will replace deteriorating material to provide for a fresh/clean look that should last 20 to 30 years. The improvements will help draw patrons to the business and improve the overall appearance of Historic Downtown Centralia. He stated that the façade program was allotted for out of the TIF to assist businesses. A motion was made by Councilman Smith and seconded by Councilman Jackson to Approve A Resolution Approving a Forgivable Loan Agreement from TIF #3 to Karen & Wayne Piotrowski for Façade Improvements at 140 S. Poplar Street.
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 discussed the planned update and the budgeted funds for the replacement of the radios in the police department with the existing equipment being approximately 20 years old and that has been causing difficulty in communication. He stated that the quote received is for the purchase of 30 Kenwood NX 5200 Digital Capable Radios, specifically, Kenwood VHF Digital 6-watt portables with speaker microphone. These specific radios are dual band (capable of analog and digital). He explained that this is a necessity for the department due to having geographical boundaries in four counties. Some of our neighboring jurisdictions are digital, going to digital or analog. The current inventory of portable radios is Motorola 5-watt radios. The wattage and age of the technology with current radios has caused some issues with officers’ ability to communicate with dispatch and/or other officers. He noted that a quote was received from Mt. Vernon Communications and the radios would not be available for 8-10 months. The other reputable manufacturer of radios that was considered was Motorola radios which are $500 more per unit. This would bring the total for just the portables to $47,850.00. Therefore, the department is requesting the purchase the Kenwood radios with mics for a total of $36,720.00. A Motion was made by Councilman Jackson seconded by Councilman Griffin to Approve A Resolution Waiving The Bidding Requirements And Accepting A Proposal From Global Technical Systems Inc. For Portable Radios For The Police Department In The Amount Of $36,720.00.
Ayes: Councilman Castellari, Councilman Smith, Councilman Griffin, Councilman Jackson, & Mayor Kuder
Nays: None
A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.
Mayor Kuder explained that the extension of the grant is being approved in order to update the current officers of the City including City Manager Smith and himself. He noted that the terms are not changing but an updated resolution must be approved. City Manager Smith stated that this program is used by Director Schwartz and Director Harting to demolish properties. He also explained that the Illinois Housing Development Authority has established and administers the Strong Communities Program which provides grant funds to units of local government throughout the state to address local affordable housing needs and community revitalization efforts. The SCP will return vacant residential properties to productive and taxable use through rehabilitation and provide the funds for demolition in cases where properties are beyond repair and negatively impact neighboring residences. A Motion was made by Councilman Griffin and seconded by Councilman Castellari to Approve A Resolution Extending The Term Of A Grant From The Illinois Housing Development Authority’s Strong Communities Program.
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
None
REPORTS
City Clerk Enke reported that the city wide clean-up will be held the week of April 10th- 14th and all trash must be placed at the curb on the regular trash collection dates. She also reminded residents to vote in the upcoming election on April 4th.
Mayor Kuder acknowledged the school resource officer, Officer Jader, that spearheaded the polar plunge and raised over $10,000. Mayor Kuder acknowledged the loss of the Second Baptist’s Church to a fire recently. He also congratulated the Dreams Come True Prom committee. He thanked the organizers and volunteers of the event for a very heartwarming event for the Murray Center and CILA residents.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Councilman Griffin and seconded by Councilman Castellari 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 6:43 p.m.
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