South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met Nov. 25.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday November 25, 2024, in the Council Chambers at Centralia City Hall. Mayor Pro Tem Jackson called the meeting to order at 6:18 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Mayor Pro Tem Jackson, Council Member Castellari; Council Member Fontanez, and Council Member Allen Absent: Mayor Kuder

Staff Members Present: William Smith, City Manager; Andrew Thomson, City Attorney; Chief Christopher Locke, Police Department; Jeremy Henderson, Finance Director; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; Jeff Schwartz, Public Works Director; Captain Gelsinger, Fire Department; Derek Sherman, Economic Development Director; Bill Agee, Treasurer; and Kim Enke, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk

PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Pro Tem Jackson led the Pledge of Allegiance and Council Member Fontanez led the prayer.

AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None

CONSENT AGENDA

A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Castellari to Approve Items 1-8 of the Consent Agenda.

1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The November 12, 2024 City Council Meeting

2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $

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

4. A Resolution Approving A Landlord’s Estoppel Certificate For A Mortgage In Reference to Lake Lease Site K-3

5. A Resolution Setting Regular Meeting Dates For The Centralia City Council And Various Boards And Commissions For Calendar Year 2025

6. A Resolution Regarding Closed Session Minutes

7. A Resolution To Declare Certain Water And Sewer Accounts Owed To The City As Uncollectible Accounts And To Authorize Closure Of The Accounts

8. A Resolution Approving The Recommendation Of The Community Development Department And Centralia Code Enforcement Directing Demolition Or Repair Of Certain Dangerous And Dilapidated Buildings

Ayes: Council Member Castellari, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, and Mayor Pro Tem Jackson

Nays: None

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

REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

None

BIDS

The opening of surplus property bids was conducted by the City Clerk with only two properties having bids submitted. Bids were received for 1106 N Maple from Engineered Fluid, Inc. in the amount of $4,001.00 and from Dexter Johnson in the amount of $3,000.20. A bid was received for 1002 E. Rexford from Dexter Johnson in the amount of $10,000.20. No other bids were received. The Clerk stated that the bids would be reviewed and presented at a future meeting for approval of sale.

ORDINANCES

None

RESOLUTIONS

City Manager Smith explained that the City of Centralia approved a development agreement with RE:Purpose Development, LLC on June 12, 2023 which stipulated disbursement of $160,000 of eligible tax increment finance expenditures to be paid over two years (2023 & 2024) with the incremental taxes on their redevelopment parcels in TIF #3 being the source of this disbursement. This noted that this distribution is for $77,178.81 through eligible local ordinance & state statue designated tax increment financing expenditure categories of professional services (legal, accounting, & architectural/engineering), and building costs (construction/repair). He reported that this is the third distribution to Re:Purpose Development, LLC. The first distribution was for $27,188.35 and the second distribution was for $55,632.84. The total distributions to-date is $160,000.00. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution Approving The Disbursement Of Funding Per Development Agreement From The Tax Increment Finance District #3 To Re:Purpose Development, LLC In The Amount Of $77,178.81.

Ayes: Council Member Castellari, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, and Mayor Pro Tem Jackson

Nays: None

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

City Manager Smith discussed the proposed mutual aid agreement for emergency services. He explained that this formalized document authorizes and promotes the sharing of people and resources across jurisdictional boundaries when emergencies arise. He reported that the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association as a board have been working on a revision to this agreement for well over a year. They have worked to ensure that the agreement was structured in a way that maximizes the flexibility of assistance while incorporating modern best practices and reflecting changes in the overall mutual aid landscape in Illinois. The updates also include removing obsolete support practices in emergency management. These updates are similar to updates with MABAS and ILEAS language for insurance and reimbursements. This agreement is a critical piece in the ability to request or provide support in the way of personnel, equipment, or facilities to one another while ensuring that we have the legal framework in place to do so. He discussed how this agreement is similar to mutual aid with the police and fire departments and can be denied with lack of manpower. He referred to the recent dam break in Nashville where shared services were provided in the time of need. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution Authorizing Participation As A Member In The Illinois Emergency Management Mutual Aid System Response Pursuant To An Intergovernmental Agreement For The Establishment Of A Mutual Aid Intergovernmental Service Agreement.

Ayes: Council Member Castellari, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, and Mayor Pro Tem Jackson

Nays: None

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

City Manager Smith reported that as a phased plan to update the lighting and ensure ADA compliance at the Amtrak Station, Amtrak has submitted a plan for upgrades and improvements with approval and no cost to the City. He stated that the work at this station includes American with Disabilities Act (ADA) type improvements to the existing area with lighting and platform, ramp and connection improvements. He stated that the improvements include the Concrete platform – completely replaced with ADA access ramps and landings and connection to existing station building door.

Also there will be a sidewalk area between station and parking lot and the addition of a wheel chair lift enclosure. The addition of electrical service for the platform lighting and the addition of poles, fixtures, and associated conduit and wiring. He added that the parking area will also be ADA accessible with aisles, striping, and signage. He noted that stormwater management design for the entire site including trench drains will also be provided. He noted that no exterior or interior work at the existing station building is included. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Castellari to Approve A Resolution Approving Improvements To The Amtrak Station Lighting For ADA Compliance and Safety.

Ayes: Council Member Castellari, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, and Mayor Pro Tem Jackson

Nays: None

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

City Manager Smith discussed the 2025 Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds including roadway maintenance. He reported that the work anticipated to be completed is based on projected MFT revenue. Several roads are to be resealed with an estimate of 5 miles, and the estimated cost of this work is $123,697.00, with the accompanying resolution allowing up to $130,000.00 to be spent out of MFT funds. Approval of this request for council action will grant staff approval to sign and return the Municipal Estimate of Maintenance costs and the IDOT-approved resolution to the Illinois Department of Transportation. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code and Approval of Estimate of Maintenance Costs for the 2025 Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) Street Maintenance Program.

Ayes: Council Member Castellari, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, and Mayor Pro Tem Jackson

Nays: None

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

OTHER BUSINESS

None

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None

REPORTS

City Clerk Enke noted that the Budget Public Hearing will be held on December 2nd at 5:30 pm prior to the regular 6 pm Council meeting.

Council Member Fontanez thanked the Youth Commission for their recent collection of items for the food drive. He also thanked Kaskaskia College HVAC training department for the installation of a heater in the gym at the Youth Center. He also welcomed Galen Mahle and expressed his excitement for the recreation program.

Mayor Pro Tem Jackson thanked department heads for their work on the budget preparation.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made to Adjourn The Meeting To Closed Session Under 5ILCS 120/2(C)(1) The Appointment, Employment, Compensation, Discipline, Performance, Or Dismissal Of Specific Employees, Specific Individuals Who Serve As Independent Contractors In A Park, Recreational, Or Educational Setting, Or Specific Volunteers Of The Public Body Or Legal Counsel For The Public Body, Including Hearing Testimony On A Complaint Lodged Against An Employee, A Specific Individual Who Serves As An Independent Contractor In A Park, Recreational, Or Educational Setting, Or A Volunteer Of The Public Body Or Against Legal Counsel For The Public Body To Determine Its Validity.

Ayes: Council Member Castellari, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, and Mayor Pro Tem Jackson

Nays: None

A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:31 p.m. .

https://www.cityofcentralia.org/media/6816