South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met June 10.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday June 10, 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: Douglas Hoffman, 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

Jennifer Stilt addressed the City Council suggesting that a new arrow be placed at the intersection of Locust and Broadway to help with traffic flow. She also suggested replacing handicap parking signs that are faded in the downtown area. Ms. Stilt also asked that the City start at trap and release program for the strays in the city. She suggested a spay and neuter program to reduce the stray population over time. She also discussed speed monitoring in her neighborhood due to deaths of cats in the streets by her home.

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 May 28, 2024 City Council Meeting

2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $654,597.41

3. An Ordinance Waiving The Application Of Section 20-125(B)(2) Of The Centralia Municipal Code And Approving A Request By The Salem High School Bass Fishing Team To Use Raccoon Lake On July 28th and August 4th

4. A Resolution Approving the Recommendation of the Community Development Department and the Centralia Code Enforcement Department Directing the Demolition or Repair of Certain Dangerous and Dilapidated Buildings

5. Approval Of Request To Use Fairview Park By The American Legion Post #446 For The Annual 4th Of July Celebration From July 1st Thru July 4th

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

Mayor Kuder stated that this proposed ordinance refers to raffles such as those held by the American Legion. He noted the increase given previously and requested that the cap be increased A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve An Ordinance Amending Chapter 11, Section 11- 230 (D) Of The Centralia Municipal Code Regarding The Regulation Of Raffles.

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.

City Manager Smith explained that the agreement being considered to dedicate a portion of roadway is to take corrective action with a portion of a parcel of land that includes a city-maintained roadway. The roadway property is located along Jolliff Bridge Road near the intersection of W. McCord. During the developer’s research process to sell the property the legal description of the property was found to include a portion of the public roadway that was on Jolliff Bridge Road. This property should be property of the City just as the rest of the section of roadway is. It is approximately 2,592 sq. ft. A warranty deed will be executed along with the dedication agreement. There is not an exchange of funds. This is strictly to correct the legal description and for the City to take ownership of the section of roadway. Mayor Kuder stated that this request came from the property management that is building the Kentucky Fried Chicken in this area. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Castellari to Approve An Ordinance Approving The Dedication Of Property Located Along Jolliff Bridge Road In The City Of Centralia.

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.

RESOLUTIONS

City Manager Smith introduced Kevin Tepen from C. J. Schlosser & Company, L.L.C. Mr. Tepen thanked Jeremy Henderson for his work on the recent audit. He provided an overview of the audit discussing the revenues, sales tax, property tax, and replacement tax reallocation. He noted the increase in water and sewer charges. The expenditures were also reviewed which were up slightly; noting the expenses in public safety administration. He discussed the resulting net position of $17.1M which was an approximate $3M increase over last year. He also noted the decrease in liabilities and debt. Council Member Fontanez pointed out that he is satisfied with the audit taking into account inflation that is affecting the overall costs. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution Accepting The Audited Financial Statements For The Year Ended December 31, 2023.

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.

City Manager Smith reported that the Fire Department has a 2002 HME that has had multiple repairs in the past. Chief Day discussed the repairs and information about the aging fleet. He stated that it is the 5th transmission that has failed in the truck. Blake Perez discussed the repairs previously made and explained that the mechanic will provide a rebuild of transmission, installation, and labor with an hourly rate. He stated that it will have a one-year warranty and no labor charges within the 1st year. They also expect a 10 day turnaround. Council Member Castellari asked about the overall condition of the truck and Perez noted the issues in the past with the truck that has approximately 9000 hours of operation with 78,000 actual miles. Council Member Allen asked if the funds are budgeted for the repairs and City Manager Smith stated that the funds will be pulled from the Fire Department repair budget. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Fontanez to Approve A Resolution Waiving The Bidding Requirements And Accepting A Proposal From Dark Horse Diesel Repair In The Amount Of $27,219.50.

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.

City Manager Smith stated that the agreement with Curry and Associates was approved by the City of Centralia for engineering services pertaining to the construction of a new Water Plant in 2022. As the City is moving forward with the project, part of the funding requirements for the IEPA loan requires that certain language be stated as part of the engineering agreement that are not specific to the funding requirements that are not typical of other smaller projects. This addendum is to be approved and provided to the IEPA to further the funding application and process. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution Approving An Addendum To The Engineering Service Agreement With Curry And Associates Engineers, Inc. For The Water Treatment Plant.

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 discussed the excitement surrounding the Queen of Hearts, the use of the city properties and the city that is coming alive with many new businesses opening. He stated that he is enjoying where Centralia is heading. He also thanked the Fire Department for their work during the setbacks.

Mayor Kuder discussed the Juneteenth weekend events and invited everyone to attend. He also discussed the OSLAD grant that the city has received for playground equipment and the area that will be enclosed. He explained that the improvements will begin in the fall so as not to conflict with the usage of the park during the summer.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made 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 6:32 p.m. .

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