South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met May 27.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Tuesday May 27, 2025, in the Council Chambers at Centralia City Hall. Mayor Pro Tem Jackson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL

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

Staff Members Present: Andrew Thomson, City Attorney; Galen Mahle, City Manager; Chief Jeff Day, Fire Department; Chief Christopher Locke, Police Department; Jeremy Henderson, Finance Director; Bill Agee, Treasurer, Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; 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

Jennifer Price addressed the City Council regarding the new playground addition at the City Park. She suggested the addition of a temporary construction fence at a minimum if a permanent fence is not installed to avoid potential accidents.

Tatorie Marion as a representative with the SBA loan program addressed the Council providing the deadline information for residents that are interested in applying for low interest loans that may have effected businesses and residents during the storms that recently occurred between April 2nd and 6th. She provided her contact information as well.

Ray Young addressed the City Council regarding the cemetery noting its history and his family that are buried in Elmwood Cemetery. He discussed the removal of flowers from his family's graves and the condition of stones in the cemetery. He suggested the placement of more signs that have the rules on them rather than the one located at the office.

Mayor Pro Tem Jackson thanked those for speaking and stated that the Council takes their information that they provide under advisement.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The May 12, 2025 City Council Meeting

2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $ 666,211.36

3. Receive And Place On File The Treasurer’s Report As Of April 30, 2025

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

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, 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

None

ORDINANCES

City Manager Mahle explained that the proposed ordinance was for the increase of 6 of the 69 leases on Centralia Lake. These six are leases that went into effect prior to 2010 and can increase the years ending in 0 and 5 with the last increase in 2020. He noted the increase is suggested for 9.9%, which is a 1.98% average over the course of the past 5 years. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Fontanez to Approve An Ordinance Increasing the Annual Rental of Certain Lake Leases.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, and Mayor Pro Tem Jackson Nays: None

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

RESOLUTIONS

A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Garrett to Approve A Resolution Waiving The Bidding Requirements And Approving The Purchase Of A 2020 Ford Explorer From Asia Motors Inc In The Amount Of $26,520.00.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, 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

Council Member Fontanez reported that he was in favor of the lake lease increases that were approved with feedback from a lake lease resident in attendance concerning the reasoning of the increase.

Council Member Allen commended the work of the City to obtain a grant for the park playground additions that have made a great improvement to Fairview Park.

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 6:19 p.m. .

https://www.cityofcentralia.org/media/7916