South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met Jan. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday, January 8, 2024, 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; Council Member Castellari; Council Member Fontanez; and Council Member Allen Absent: Council Member Jackson

Staff Members Present: Andrew Thomson, City Attorney; William Smith, City Manager; Lt. Steve Whritenour, Police Department; Jeremy Henderson, Finance Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Derek Sherman, Economic Development Director; Bill Agee, Treasurer; and Kim Enke, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk

PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Kuder led the Pledge of Allegiance and Council Member Fontanez led the prayer.

AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Jeannell Charman addressed the City Council regarding the boat races and stated while she does support the efforts of tourism, she doesn’t support the merger of the two events. She touched on how the noise effects the park, the potential loss of the event, inconvenience to the lake residents, and reduced access to the park for the balloonist. She also discussed the lack of accommodations.

CONSENT AGENDA

A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Fontanez to Approve Items 1-3 of the Consent Agenda.

1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The December 28, 2023 City Council Meeting

2. Approval Of The Minutes Of The January 4, 2024 Public Hearing

3. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $ 305,855.35

Ayes: Council Member Castellari; Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, and Mayor Kuder Nays: None

A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

None

BIDS

None

ORDINANCES

None

RESOLUTIONS

City Manager Smith stated that Alan Owen, representing the National Boat Racing Association, is requesting permission to use Raccoon Lake for a boat racing event on August 17th and August 18th, 2024 with testing on Thursday and Friday. They are requesting that the boat ramp and park area be closed to the public from 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 14th until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 18th, 2024.Council Member Allen questioned Mr. Owen asking if the date could be changed. Allen Owen stated that it would not be good for the sponsors or many of the participants of the event. He stated that he would like to try it one time as he doesn’t see where there will be much overlap. He added that the drivers and their families also would want to take in Balloon Fest and the race is on the schedule for the year. Council Member Allen discussed a letter submitted by Rachel Wallace about the effect and the loss it would have on her and her businesses by combining the events. Mr. Owen stated that the reason for the request is mainly due to the schedule of the race between other race events for participation and convenience of the participants. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Castellari to Approve A Resolution Authorizing The Use Of Raccoon Lake For Boat Races Hosted By The National Boat Racing Association.

Ayes: Mayor Kuder

Nays: Council Member Castellari; Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen

A majority of the Council voting nay, the motion failed.

City Manager Smith reported that the City of Centralia has recently held a public hearing on January 4th for the purpose of applying for a $1,500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The approval of the proposed resolution is part of the requirements of the grant process and necessary for the submission of the grant application that will be submitted later this month. As reported previously the grant money would be utilized to construct a replacement raw water line that has demonstrated repeated past failures. The City Manager stated that the raw water line replacement project has already been designed and permitted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). This line provides the water from Carlyle Lake to the current and proposed Water Treatment Plant. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Fontanez to Approve A Resolution Of Support And Commitment Of Local Funds For A Community Development Block Grant.

Ayes: Council Member Castellari; Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, and Mayor Kuder

Nays: None

A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried.

OTHER BUSINESS

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

REPORTS

Council Member Fontanez stated that he was not in opposition to the races being on Raccoon Lake and he would vote yes for the use of the lake on any other weekend suggesting the following weekend.

Council Member Allen thanked Allen Owen and discussed her reason for the vote after hearing everyone’s perspective before making a decision.

Mayor Kuder discussed the CHS Orphan’s winning season asking that everyone continue to support them and attend the upcoming game. Mayor Kuder also congratulated the CHS cheerleaders for placing 2nd in a recent competition. He also congratulated the CHS wrestlers and the performance of the team with three players receiving awards in a recent tournament.

Mayor Kuder also noted that the City of Centralia employee, Derek Williams in Code Enforcement and Animal Control, was recently promoted in the Centralia Fire Protection District as a Lieutenant.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Council Member Fontanez to Adjourn The Meeting.

Ayes: Council Member Castellari; Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, and Mayor Kuder

Nays: None

A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:16 p.m.

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