South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met April 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday April 28, 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 Allen, and Council Member Jackson

Absent: None

Staff Members Present: Doug Hoffman, City Attorney; Galen Mahle, City Manager; Chief Jeff Day, Fire Department; Chief Christopher Locke, Police Department; Eli Cox, Recreation Director; Jeremy Henderson, Finance Director; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; 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 resident from the Central City area addressed the City Council concerning flooding that had occurred at her home during recent storms. Mayor Kuder discussed the City’s process of notification.

CONSENT AGENDA

A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Castellari to Approve Items 1- 5 of the Consent Agenda.

1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The April 14, 2025 City Council Meeting

2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $ 1,747,537.13

3. Receive And Place On File The Treasurer’s Report As Of March 31, 2025

4. A Resolution Confirming Appointments Of Certain Individuals To Various Boards And Commissions Of The City Of Centralia

5. An Ordinance Waiving The Application Of Section 20-125(B)(2) Of The Centralia Municipal Code And Approving A Request By The Flora High School Bass Fishing Team To Use Raccoon Lake On August 2, 2025

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

Mitch Hardiek from Milano and Grunloh Engineers provided an engineering report concerning current awarded projects and funding opportunities that the City may consider including grants through ITEP, SRTS, CDS, DCEO, IEPA, OSLAD, and STAG.

BIDS

None

ORDINANCES

Mayor Kuder stated that the proposed ordinance and easement involving Ameren will allow for the City to continue ownership but allow access for the utility to upgrade and maintain the electric service in that area. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve An Ordinance Granting A Perpetual Easement To Ameren Illinois Along 115 N. Oak.

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 Mahle thanked Milano and Associates staff for their work and also thanked those that provided letters of support for the grant application including Kaskaskia College, Representative Charlie Meier and Senator Jason Plummer. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approving An Agreement with Milano & Grunloh Engineers, LLC. To Perform Engineering Services For The Congressionally Directed Spending Grant - 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

City Manager Mahle introduced Eli Cox as the new Recreation Coordinator.

Council Member Fontanez invited everyone to attend the Locust Street Fair and also invited the public to attend an event being held at the Centralia Historical Museum that will feature a speaker providing information about Centralia’s history.

Council Member Allen welcomed Eli Cox and encouraged everyone to attend the upcoming Locust Street Fair noting how much people look forward to it and how well attended it is.

Mayor Kuder also reminded everyone to attend the Locust Street Fair on May 2nd that will feature many food and craft vendors and he noted that it is always very well attended.

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 6:24 p.m. .

https://www.cityofcentralia.org/media/7791