South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met April 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday April 14, 2025, 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, Councill Member Jackson, and Council Member Allen

Absent: None

Staff Members Present: Andrew Thomson, City Attorney; Galen Mahle, City Manager; Chief Jeff Day, Fire Department; Bill Agee, Treasurer; and Kim Enke, Assistant City Manager/City Clerk

PRAYER & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Mayor Kuder led the Pledge of Allegiance and Council Member Fontanez led the prayer.

AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

A Service Award Recognizing Water Treatment Plant Operator Robert E. Alli For 10 Years Of Service was presented.

Steve Coleman addressed the City Council regarding recent demolitions and vacant buildings in the shopping center. He questioned if there were any plans to find retail stores in those empty locations.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The March 24, 2025 City Council Meeting

2. Approval Of The Minutes Of The March 24, 2025 Public Meeting

3. Approval Of The Minutes Of The April 7, 2025 Special Meeting

4. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $ 788,317.44

5. An Ordinance Declaring Certain Property To Be Surplus Property And Authorizing The Sale, Trade, Disposal, Or Donation, Thereof

6. Approval Of Request By SAFE To Place Decorations Upon City Owned Property In Honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month

7. An Ordinance Waiving The Application Of Section 20-125(B)(2) Of The Centralia Municipal Code And Approving A Request By The South Central High School Bass Fishing Team To Use Centralia Lake on July 26, 2025

8. A Resolution Authorizing The Use Of A City-Owned Parking Lot For A Farmers’ Market And Authorizing Terry Herrell As Market Master

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

City Manager Mahle stated that information is being provided by the IML that informs municipalities of the codes that must be brought up to date and be within 9 years old. He stated that all of Centralia’s building and fire codes are in the process of being updated. He stated that the City is expected to adopt all of the updated code by the end of June. Fire Captain Blake Perez provided an overview of the code proposed to be updated including the International Fire Code, the International Building Code, The International Existing Building Code, The International Residential Code, The International Property Maintenance Code, and The International Mechanical Code. He explained that while the City is updating the necessary codes there are also codes that are adopted and in place that are State of Illinois codes that the City must follow. He discussed the applicability of the code for certain uses and types of buildings. He discussed the ordinances that will be approved by the Council and the amendments to the code that will be made to modify the code and its applicability. Council Member Castellari asked if the department expects a change in the inspection process. Captain Perez stated that there have been many that have not been inspected so he does expect an increase in inspections. He also noted that they will be given time to make any required corrections. Council Member Castellari asked about a grace period and Captain Perez confirmed that they will allow a period to correct the issue when someone is making a reasonable effort to improve pending that it is not a life safety issue that may be more severe. Council Member Fontanez asked if ADA compliance would be included as part of the code and Captain Perez stated that further training is needed for that, but the state does have inspectors to enforce ADA compliance. Council Member Allen stated that these code updates appear to ultimately keep residents safe and also keep the properties in the city looking good. City Manager Mahle explained that the new codes focus on new construction and the inspections and violations within them. It was discussed that they will work through the process and the updates will provide more teeth in the enforcement of life and safety concerns in all properties including rental properties. Captain Perez provided examples of how the property maintenance codes will also benefit residents. Council Member Fontanez asked if rental inspections have been considered similar to what other communities have implemented, and Captain Perez stated that they have reviewed it, but it is not part of the current code updates at this time. Mayor Kuder stated that he would like to pursue inspections of rentals to protect the residents living in Centralia.

BIDS

None

ORDINANCES

None

RESOLUTIONS

Mayor Kuder explained the resolution presented for the maintenance replacement of railroads. He stated that the cost is below the budgeted amount and will be completed by Ironhorse who has assisted with similar projects in the past for the city. Public Works Director Schwartz stated that four to five hundred vehicles cross this railroad each day in the industrial park, and it is a much-needed repair. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution Waiving The Bidding Requirements And Accepting A Proposal From Ironhorse, Inc. For Railroad Maintenance In The Amount Of $79,489.58.

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 Mahle stated that this resolution confirms the support of an application for Community Project Funding for FY 2026. The House Committee on Appropriations is accepting funding requests via Members of Congress for important local initiatives. He stated that locally Congressman Mike Bost will be able to directly request funds for key projects. The City intends to apply for an EPA State and Tribal Assistance Grant (STAG) for Barton Bottoms & Jolliff Bridge Road 12” watermain replacement project eligible through the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. This project will address health and safety concerns of the existing watermain. City Manager Mahle reported that The City will apply for a $3,153,600.00 grant from Community Project Funding for FY 2026 and support the project by providing the required twenty percent (20%) local match of $788,400.00 in funding as required by the grant program. The application for this grant has a deadline of April 23rd and 15 projects will be awarded to those projects selected. Mayor Kuder added that this line has had several instances of broken lines and repairs that had to be made that caused the prison and Kaskaskia College to be without water. Jeff Schwartz added that this line was installed in 1967 and is approximately 28,000 ft. of line. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Fontanez to Approve A Resolution Of Funding Support For Community Project Funding For Fiscal Year 2026 – The Barton Bottoms & Jolliff Bridge Road Watermain Replacement Project.

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 Allen wished everyone a Happy Easter.

Mayor Kuder discussed the upcoming Dream Come True Prom that will be held during the upcoming weekend and described the positive experience for those with special needs.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made to adjourn the meeting.

A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried, and the meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. .

https://www.cityofcentralia.org/media/7626