South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met Sept. 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday September 23, 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; 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 Spring Thomas led the prayer.

AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Roger Campbell stated that he has noticed the item on the agenda concerning the sales tax increase. He suggested that a first reading be done instead of passing ordinances such as this at the first meeting they are added. He also discussed the ticket that he had received and the Planning and Zoning board not making any recommendations concerning changes to the regulation of signs. He stated that he has filed a formal complaint concerning the Centralia Your Opportunity sign not being on property owned by the City.

CONSENT AGENDA

A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve Items 1-4 of the Consent Agenda.

1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The September 9, 2024 City Council Meeting

2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $1,263,288.60

3. Receive And Place On File The Treasurer’s Report As Of August 31, 2024

4. An Ordinance Approving The Closure And Use Of Streets And Sidewalks For A City Sponsored Event, Celebrate Centralia, On October 12, 2024

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

The City Manager stated that as previously discussed at the September 9th meeting, this ordinance is being presented for approval. Sales taxes are a significant portion of the City’s revenues. City Manager Smith explained that in 2023, sales taxes totaled $3,454,159, comprising 20.2 percent of the City’s governmental activities revenue. The State of Illinois collects these taxes on behalf of the city. The sales tax rate on general merchandise is distributed as follows: 5.00% to the State, 1.00% to the municipality, 0.25% to the county, with any other taxes being distributed as specified.

Public Act 103-0781, which was secured during the State’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget negotiations, gave the authority for non-home rule municipalities, like the City of Centralia, to implement a local sales tax without the need for referendum approval. He noted that this ordinance presented is to approve a Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax of 0.50%. If passed, this will bring the City’s total sales rate to 6.75% in both Clinton and Washington County with it still being 7.25% within the Jolliff Bridge Business District within Clinton County. The rate in Jefferson County will be 7.25% as it includes a 0.50% county public safety tax. In Marion County, the rate will be 8.00% as it includes 1.00% for a county school facilities tax and a 0.25% county public safety tax. He also explained that if passed, the City will still have the lowest rates of all of the neighboring communities with the exception of Nashville who has a 6.25% rate and Wamac who has a 6.25% rate in Clinton and Washington County and a 7.5% rate in Marion County. In terms of other communities, current rates are as follows: Carlyle – 7.25%, Mt. Vernon – 9.50%, Central City – 8.00%, and Salem – 8.50%. He noted that other neighboring communities will also likely increase their rates in light of the new circumstances. He added that this will enable the City to maintain its current property tax levy and not to have to increase it in the near future. He stated that it will help address the rising costs of the City particularly when it comes to public safety. The City has for too long overlooked the funding of both its police and fire pension funds which were 47.51% and 59.16% funded as of December 31, 2023. The recommended actuarial City contributions to both funds total $2,465,909 in 2025 alone. He noted that along with the pension costs, salaries and wages, vehicles, supplies, and all costs have increased over the past few years. He added that the goal is never increase taxes, but if passed, the rates will still remain favorable compared to other neighboring communities and we will be able to not increase our property tax levy. Council Member Castellari asked how this information has been distributed to residents and Council Member Allen stated that the newspaper and radio station have both reported on this since it was first discussed at the last meeting. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Fontanez to Approve An Ordinance Implementing A Non-Home Rule Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax And A Non-Home Rule Municipal Service Occupation Tax For The City Of Centralia.

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

City Manager Smith stated that a public meeting seeking community input was held on September 20th concerning this proposed project and grant. The city had previously completed a Railroad Consolidation Feasibility Study for Task 1 Planning of the project. The grant application is parted in four separate funding tasks in which the City of Centralia is applying for Task 2 Project Development. The Task 2 Project Development scope of work includes Phase 1 Engineering for 30% plans, Environmental Signoffs, Railroad Coordination, IDOT Coordination, Topography Survey, Boundary Survey, and a completed Categorical Exclusions from IDOT. The construction of the project is two overpasses which shall eliminate two Railroad crossings and improve traffic flow, freight flow, and the safety for City of Centralia. The project will ultimately include two bridges, 9” PCC Pavement, Curb and Gutter, Furnished Excavation, Traffic Signalization, Street Lighting, and Drainage Structures. He explained that the City is applying for a federal grant fund of $1,120,960.00 with a local match of $280,240.00 in Phase 1 Engineering fees. The total Phase 1 Engineering cost is $1,401,200.00. He noted that this project started in 2018 with a feasibility study due to traffic and safety issues and the Council is now moving forward with it. Mayor Kuder discussed the delayed response after a recent death that occurred on the south side of the tracks. Mayor Kuder also stated that the discussion from the public meeting that included a suggestion that track design and altering the degrees of the curve would reduce the delay but would not eliminate the issue. He stated that it may reduce the delay in some instances but would not eliminate it when seconds count in an emergency. Council Member Fontanez also discussed the closures and the reduced response time and traffic concerns for emergency vehicles to get to the interstate noting that it may be a matter of life and death. Mitch from Milano stated that this is for the second phase of 4 phases that is to get the project ready for the engineering, data analysis, and design. He also noted that it appears that train traffic has increased even more since the original study. Council Member Allen asked the City Manager where the funding would come from. City Manager Smith stated that the City would be mindful of the budget needs throughout each phase with this being a very early stage with construction dates and plans not set at this time since this was still an engineering, planning, and data gathering stage. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Fontanez to Approve A Resolution Of Support And Commitment Of Local Funds For The Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Application.

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

City Manager Smith wished Centralia High School good luck during their homecoming week and parade on Friday.

Council Member Allen discussed the recent Catwalk For A Cure and congratulated Centralia High School on their recent win.

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 6:23 p.m. .

https://www.cityofcentralia.org/media/6581