South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met May 13.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday May 13, 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; Council Member Allen, and Council Member Jackson

Absent: None

Staff Members Present: Andrew Thomson, City Attorney; William Smith, City Manager; Chief Christopher Locke, Police Department; Jeremy Henderson, Finance Director; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Chief Jeff Day, Fire Department; 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 Theresa Flagg led the prayer.

AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

A Proclamation for In Honor Of National Skilled Nursing Care Week was presented to Fireside Nursing Home. Police Lieutenant Jamie James was recognized for his recent retirement from the Centralia Police Department.

Calvin Lawson suggested that more safety be put in place around Laura Leake Park since use of the park has increased. He stated that his main concern is the traffic that is going east and their speed. He added that although there are children playing signs, he feels that they are hard to see due to limbs and more signs need to be placed in the area.

Jennifer Stilt addressed the City Council regarding stray cats and speeding. She stated that she has concerns of public safety and suggested an electronic speed limit device be placed in front of her home. She stated that there have also been additional cats that she has seen deceased on other various streets in Centralia recently.

CONSENT AGENDA

A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve Items 1-5 of the Consent Agenda.

1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The April 22, 2024 City Council Meeting

2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $955,323.75

3. A Resolution Approving The Use Of Laura Leake Park On June 15th And June 16th, 2024 And The Temporary Closure Of Various City Streets For The Juneteenth Celebration On June 15, 2024

4. A Resolution Approving A Landlord’s Estoppel Certificate For A Mortgage In Reference To Lake Lease Site C-1

5. A Resolution Approving A Landlord’s Estoppel Certificate For A Mortgage In Reference To Lake Lease Site K-7

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

Nays: None

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

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

None

BIDS

City Manager Smith stated that the City’s property located at 1224 E. Rexford, which is currently leased to the Centralia Community Youth Center Association, encountered some damage that has caused leaks in the roof. The roof is to be replaced with asphalt shingles and the decking as needed where damaged is to be replaced. He stated that three bids were received with the lowest responsible bid received from Holmes Construction LLC in the amount of $38,400.00. A bid was also received for the price per sq. ft. of any replacement of decking upon the roof structure. The bid for that per sq. ft. was an additional $1.80 as needed. Other base bids received were from Elite Contracting in the amount of $42,500.00, a bid from D.E. Martin Roofing in the amount of $39,053.00 and a bid from Master Construction Combined LLC in the amount of $39,850.00. Each of these other bidders were also higher for the per sq. ft. bid for the additional decking. He added that the funds will be provided by the insurance funds due to the damage. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Castellari to Approve the Bid From Holmes Construction LLC. For Roofing Improvements To The Youth Center In The Base Amount of $38,400.00.

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

Nays: None

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

City Manager Smith stated that this is the first phase of the water supply and treatment project. The City has requested bids for the Replacement Of Raw Water Transmission Main From Boulder Pump Station to Quick Road. This project includes excavation, replacement and installation of a new 24” raw water transmission main. He stated that there were three bids submitted with the lowest bid being from Haier Plumbing & Heating, Inc. in the amount of $1,454,699.50 which is being recommended. The City Manager reported that this portion of the project will be provided through ARPA funds and grants. Council Member Allen asked about the experience of the contractor and Andy Curry, from Curry and Associates, explained that this same company did the first phase in late 90’s to 2000 and are the largest piping contractor in the area and come highly recommended. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve the Bid From Haier Plumbing & Heating, Inc. For The Replacement Of Raw Water Transmission Main From Boulder Pump Station To Quick Road In The Amount Of $1,454,699.50

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

Nays: None

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

City Manager Smith stated that this item on the agenda and the next were also relied upon passage of item 8-1 on the agenda. He stated that this is the phase of the water supply project to connect the raw water line and also the arterials lines between the current water treatment plant and the new water treatment plant. The City has requested bids for this portion of the project which includes excavation, boring, replacement, and installation of a new water mains. He stated that there was only one bid submitted with the bid being from Haier Plumbing & Heating, Inc.in the amount of $4,132,798.00 which was recommended. Council Member Allen asked about the oversight of the project. Mr. Curry stated that their engineering firm, the Public Works Director and also some staff would be part of the project. A Motion was made by Council Member Castellari and seconded by Council Member Jackson to Approve the Bid From Haier Plumbing & Heating, Inc. For The Raw Water Mains To The New Water Treatment Plant And Arterial Water Mains From New Water Treatment Plant To Existing System In The Amount Of $4,132,798.00

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

Nays: None

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

City Manager Smith stated that the City has requested bids for the Construction of the 6.0 MGD Water Treatment Plant. An alternate bid was requested for the inclusion of a 9600-sf metal storage building. Also, an alternate for a lower efficiency plant was requested. Neither the storage building, or the lower efficiency plant is recommended for approval. He added that this project includes excavation and construction of the new water treatment plant and there were four bids submitted with the lowest bid being from Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $27,881,971.00 which is being recommended. A copy of the bid tabulation and engineer’s recommendation letter are also provided which includes all of the detailed bid information. With this approval of bid, a notice of intent to award will be signed. The actual project will not be awarded or start until funding is finalized. Council Member Castellari asked what the estimated start state would be. Mr. Curry stated that pending funding they would anticipate early fall. He expected the final approval would be in early June from the IEPA and then there would be time needed to finalize contracts. Mayor Kuder asked what the time frame would be from shovel to finished project. Mr. Curry reported that it would be approximately 2 years for the plant and then 1 year for the arterial line project. He added that the project schedule would be determined in more detail once the contractors were awarded the projects. Council Member Allen asked if the current plant would stay in operation until completion and Mr. Curry confirmed it would until the new plant is fully operational. Council Member Castellari asked if there was any use for the old facility. Mayor Kuder noted the age of the existing plant and the location being in the flood plains that makes it not useful. Mr. Curry stated that the contractor has completed many large projects recently and also many other local firms will be able to be utilized. Council Member Allen stated that she especially likes that the work is being competed by local firms. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Fontanez to Approve the Bid From Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. For The Construction Of A New Water Treatment Plant In The Amount Of $27,881,971.00

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

Nays: None

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

ORDINANCES

City Manager Smith noted that the previous two items on the agenda were pending the financing approval included with this ordinance which is required for the IEPA loan needed to fund the portion of the project that is not paid for with grant funding or other funds of the City. He stated that as previously reported the City has been placed on the Illinois EPA FY 2024 Project Priority List. This will enable the City to apply for a low interest loan from the IEPA. The City continues to apply for other grants and review funding sources to offset the costs as well. This ordinance amends the previous ordinance increasing the amount to borrow from $28,000,000.00 to $34,000,000.00 after the bids have been received. This ordinance authorizes the publication of a notice in the Sentinel to start the required petition period. This notice and petition period will end after the 30 day publication period. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve An Ordinance Of The City Of Centralia, Illinois To Amend Prior Ordinance Number O23-23 Which Authorized The City Of Centralia, Illinois To Borrow Funds From The Public Water Supply Loan Program Through The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

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

Nays: None

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

Mayor Kuder noted that this property is approximately an acre that is located near the Recreation Complex. City Manager Smith stated that on March 25, 2024, the Council approved declaring certain real estate as surplus with the Council authorizing the City Manager to solicit offers for the real estate. The value of the real estate was determined by an appraisal of $45,000. A contract has been reviewed for the sale of the property to The Centralia Foundation in the same amount as the appraisal. This ordinance approves the sale of the property and the acceptance of the offer from the Centralia Foundation in the amount of $45,000.00. Council Member Allen asked if there were plans for the property. City Manager Smith stated that a solar field has been discussed and the property is fitting for them and for their use. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Castellari to Approve An Ordinance Accepting The Offer And Approving An Agreement For The Sale Of Certain Real Estate By The City And Authorizing Said Sale – Parcel Number 14-18-100-022.

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

Nays: None

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

RESOLUTIONS

Mayor Kuder stated that these were additional invoices for the demolition of the property that was previously a church on Hickory. City Manager Smith stated that these are the invoices for the remaining expenses related to the demolition of 700 S. Hickory. These invoices include the cost of the equipment rented and fencing. The first set of invoices were $31,480.15 and these remaining invoices are $6,265.00 for a total of $37,745.15. City Manager Smith stated that this was placed on the agenda to show the expense the City has had for the demolition. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Jackson to Approve A Resolution Approving The Payment Of Invoices Presented For Expenses Incurred From The Demolition Of Property At 700 S. Hickory For A Total Of $6,265.00.

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

Nays: None

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

OTHER BUSINESS

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

REPORTS

Council Member Castellari noted the hurdles and efforts made to start the water treatment plant projects. He thanked the staff that have made the projects happen, which was a main focus of the City Council. He stated that there are a lot of customers that depend on the City to provide water and the possibility of the expansion of businesses that this provides.

Council Member Fontanez stated that these are very large numbers, and he has high hopes for the project knowing many experienced and professional individuals have been part of this. He stated that he was also happy that the roof at the Youth Center was being repaired.

Council Member Allen thanked everyone involved in the water supply projects, the youth center roof, and also the Hickory St. demolition. She noted that these are all important projects for the safety of the members of the community.

Council Member Jackson reiterated the comments made by the other Members and stated that it is nice to watch the community grow and begin these beneficial projects.

Mayor Kuder also thanked everyone that has worked on the planning of the water treatment plant. He recalled his visit recently to Springfield to explain why Centralia needed this plant. He discussed the ability to grow industries due to the additional water supply and the ability to provide necessary water to residents. He stated that this is a regional water supply for the surrounding communities and stressed how important these projects are for not only Centralia but the surrounding area. Mayor Kuder also congratulated Sgt. Hinkle and Lt. Timmons on their promotions in the Police Department. He also noted the recent Locust St. Historical Fair that was a great success with lots of vendor sales, food vendors and a very well-organized event for the community. Mayor Kuder also acknowledged the number of teams and families that have been filling Fairview Park due to the 618 baseball tournaments being held. Mayor Kuder acknowledged the work of the City crews at Kaskaskia College due to a water supply line break. He noted that the City crew worked to fix the broken line in the woods for hours in order to complete the repair and restore service as soon as possible. Mayor Kuder also congratulated the CHS tennis team with their South Seven Conference win and the CHS Annie Relay team that qualified for State.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made to Adjourn The Meeting.

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

Nays: None

A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:41 p.m.

https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/05-_May_13_2024.pdf