South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met Aug. 12.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday August 12, 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: 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 Julius Flagg led the prayer. Prior to the prayer, a moment of silence was taken to honor and remember Vernell Burris.

AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Steve Bradley addressed the City Council regarding 938 N Elm that had been condemned by the City after a tree had fallen on the roof. He stated that the roof had been repaired. He stated that he would like the house to no longer be condemned but doesn’t feel that anyone should have to go into the home to inspect it, since the home was condemned without needing to go inside of it.

Ricky Garrett addressed the City Council regarding the OSLAD grant recently received for Fairview Park and the recent discussions as the Park and Recreation committee meeting. He stated that he would like Laura Leake Park to be focused on for the next grant. Mayor Kuder stated that the City did receive the OSLAD Grant for Fairview and the new grant with a September deadline has a matching fund that would need to be applied for as well.

CONSENT AGENDA

A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve Items 1&2 of the Consent Agenda.

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

Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $1,158,803.40

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

None

ORDINANCES

City Manager Smith stated that as previously reported the City has applied for a low interest loan from the IEPA. This loan was increased to $34,000,000.000 in May after the bids were received. It has now been determined that the City is able to extend the loan to 30 years rather than 20 which will reduce the payment amount due. The bids have also been reviewed by the City Council and approved for the Raw Water Main, Arterial line and new Water Treatment Plant. This ordinance 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. 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. He stated that extending to 30 years it will ease the burden of payment. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Fontanez 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.

RESOLUTIONS

Mayor Kuder noted that this agenda item is for the repair of railroad tracks at the Industrial Park. City Manager Smith explained that the city owned railroad track spur has maintenance that is required in order to keep it operational. He explained that this is a two-part project by Iron Horse, which has completed maintenance on projects previously for the City. This phase of the maintenance was budgeted in 2024 in street maintenance. The track will be raised, leveled and aligned for a smooth-running surface and approximately 48 cross ties will be replaced. The specifics of each project are provided in the proposal. If the tracks are not repaired, it would severely impact several of the businesses in the industrial park area if the track were unusable. There are multiple phases of maintenance that will follow these repairs and will need to be budgeted in the 2025 budget. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Castellari to Approve A Resolution Waiving The Bidding Requirements And Accepting A Proposal From Ironhorse, Inc. For Railroad Maintenance In The Amount Of $53,159.75.

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 explained that Roger D. Campbell, owner of 302 S. Poplar Street requested a forgivable loan with funds from TIF #3 for façade improvements at 302 S. Poplar Street previously. He stated that the work replaced deteriorated material to provide for a fresh/clean look. It was reported that the improvements have been completed and all required documentation has been provided to show completion. Council Member Fontanez clarified that this is the disbursement of the loan that was already previously approved by the City Council. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution Approving The Disbursement Of Funding Per A Forgivable Loan Agreement From TIF #3 To Roger D. Campbell For Façade Improvements At 302 S. Poplar In The Amount Of $12,000.00.

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

City Manager Smith stated that this resolution presented at the last meeting could be removed without any further action after discussion with IDOT and further review. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Castellari to Remove Resolution Approving Supplemental Funding Under The Illinois Highway Code For The Milling and Resurfacing of Portions of Frazier Avenue, Sara Drive, and Nancy Drive from the agenda.

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

City Manager Smtih asked that every have an enjoyable Balloon Fest and drive carefully with the addition traffic and watching balloons.

City Clerk Enke discussed the volunteer event planned during the coming week with Centralia Clean and Green to clean up the City streets prior to Balloon Fest.

Council Member Castellari remembered Vernell Burris recalling his faithful attendance at Council meetings and the care that he expressed for the City. Council Member Castellari suggested that the seat where resident Vernell typically sat be designated in his honor in some way. Mayor Kuder stated that he had thought about that as well. He discussed a letter that he sent to the family of Vernell and recalled how Vernell would call the City Clerk to let her know that he was not going to be at a meeting if he needed to miss. He also explained that it was found in the 1971 minutes that Vernell had asked for a microphone for those in attendance at the meeting to be heard.

Council Member Allen discussed the upcoming Balloon Fest and condition of the parks and streets that are looking great with the recent improvements. She stated that the city’s residents should be proud and there will be many visitors in town this weekend.

Council Member Jackson discussed the Balloon Fest event and the honor he has had to be the Chairman this year noting the number of other volunteers he has worked with in the community.

Mayor Kuder asked that resident Calvin Lawson be kept in everyone’s prayers.

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 6:27 p.m. .

https://www.cityofcentralia.org/media/5921