South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met June 23.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday June 23, 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 Garrett, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, and Council Member Jackson

Absent: None

Staff Members Present: Andrew Thomson, City Attorney; Galen Mahle, City Manager; Gayla Harting, Community Development Director; Lt. Steve Whritenour, Police Department; Jeremy Henderson, Finance Director; 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 Jackson led the prayer.

AMENDMENTS AND/OR ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

None

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None

CONSENT AGENDA

A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Fontanez to Approve Items 1- 6 of the Consent Agenda.

1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The June 9, 2025 City Council Meeting

2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $ 1,143,330.43

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

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

5. Approval Of The Request For A Fireworks Display On Lake Centralia By The Lake Association 6. An Ordinance Waiving The Speed Limit On Raccoon Lake For Participants In The 2025 Boat Races

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, 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

City Manager Mahle explained that Matthew Phoenix & Timothy Phoenix as owners of Bluebyeu LLC submitted a petition for annexation for the property located on Jolliff Bridge Rd. He added that recently a letter requesting that the request to be annexed be withdrawn was submitted by the property owners. He stated that he makes the recommendation to strike the consideration of annexation from the agenda and it not be approved. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Strike the item from the agenda.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, 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 stated that the City of Centralia has had a cable franchise agreement with Charter Communications through previous corporation entities also or previously known as Rifkin Acquisition Partners or Cablevision of Southern Illinois dating back as far as 1967. The resolution will allow the City to grant Spectrum Mid America, LLC locally known as Charter Communications a non-exclusive franchise to operate a cable system in the city. They will be able to continue to construct, operate, and maintain a cable system within public rights-of-way. The term of the agreement will be for 10 years initially, with an automatic 5-year extension unless either party opts out with 3 years' notice. Charter must comply with city ordinances, and the agreement is a non-exclusive franchise; which means other companies may be granted similar rights. Insurance is required as part of the agreement with the City named as additional insured. Coverage continues for all currently served areas and service may be extended to others by Charter but is not required. He noted that the City will continue to collect 5% of the quarterly gross revenue consistent with the federal law. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution Allowing For The Execution Of An Agreement Between the City of Centralia, Illinois and Spectrum Mid-America, LLC locally known as Charter Communications.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, Council Member Fontanez, Council Member Allen, Council Member Jackson, and Mayor Kuder

Nays: None

A majority of the Council voting aye, the motion carried

Finance Director Jeremy Henderson noted that this is the 3rd year that C.J. Schlosser & Company, L.L.C. has completed the audit for the City of Centralia. He also noted that a single audit was also completed due to obligation and expenditures involving the COVID funding. He reported that there were no findings with the single audit and anticipates another single audit this coming year due to the funding anticipated. He noted that page 4-14 is a comparison and analysis of this year and last year and page 72 has an analysis of the funds and expenses that exceeded the budget. He noted that page 84 detailed the general fund total expenditures reporting that the City fell within the budget and it is due to the City being very diligent about following the budget. Next, Finance Director Henderson reviewed the budget summary as included in the Popular Annual Financial Report. He reviewed the overview of the city’s cash on page 3 which increased significantly. He stated that the water fund is in a good position as the City is nearing the completion of the construction by next august. He explained that the debt has increased due to the water plant project and IEPA loan but noted that the City is in a good position to begin the repayment of the loan once the plant is completed and operational. He reviewed the summary that began on page 4 that includes the explanation of the funds, revenues and expenses and pension costs. Council Member Fontanez verified that the audit is available for viewing on the City website. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution Accepting The Audited Financial Statements For The Year Ended December 31, 2024.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, 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 explained that The City of Centralia approved a development agreement with Blue Fish 44, LLC on January 9, 2023.The agreement stipulated a reimbursement of tax increment financing eligible expenses via a property tax rebate on development generated increment up to $1,000,000.00. Taxes paid in 2024, with a tax rate of 8.27183% totaled $7,248.60. The total increment generated within TIF #5 for this development was $6,433.01. The 80% distribution on increment generated amounted to $5,146.41 for property taxes paid and will be paid from the TIF #5 Fund. This distribution is based upon the tax information for parcel 15-14-13-201-021 received from the supervisor of assessments. The timeframe for TIF eligible reimbursements is for the life of the TIF at 80%. He noted that the sales tax rebate is .6% of the 1% sales tax collected and received by the City of the retail price of goods sold by Blue Fish 44, LLC or any other subsidiary company derived from this development business which are taxable. The timeframe for the rebate was from October 2023 to December 2024. The distribution totals $8,944.24 for sales tax from the General Fund. This distribution is based upon the sales tax information as received. He added that this is the 2nd distribution under the development agreement for a total distribution of $14,090.65. Council Member Fontanez confirmed that Blue Fish 44 was also known as and operating as Scooters. 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 to Blue Fish 44, LLC in the Amount of $14,090.65.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, 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 reported that Rueter Byrd, LLC is requesting a development agreement from TIF #5 for tax increment financing eligible costs per state statute for the development to property at 790 W. McCord. The work will develop a vacant greenspace into a commercial development to provide an increase in the property tax base and sales tax base of the city of Centralia, IL. Tyler Rueter addressed the Council regarding his development, noting his family that is involved in the community and the investments they have made in the City. He noted the team effort that is making this development possible which will help Byrd Watson continue to thrive and continue their business that serves the community. He asked that the City Council approve the agreement so they can proceed with construction. City Manager Mahle stated that the conversations started months ago with previous administration, and it is now finalized and ready to be approved. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution Approving a Development Agreement from TIF #5 to Rueter Byrd, LLC for Improvements to the Property and a Commercial Development at 790 W. McCord.

Ayes: Council Member Garrett, 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 Mitch from Milano and Grunloh to provide an update on several ongoing projects and grant opportunities including ITEP, SRTS, CDS, DCEO, IEPA, OSLAD, STAG, and Local Roads.

Council Member Fontanez noted the work of the Youth Commission and invited everyone to take part in the Youth Commission opportunity fair that will be held at Castle Ridge.

Council Member Allen thanked the Rueter family for their investment in Centralia. She also noted her excitement involving the Youth Commission opportunity fair that will show off what is there to offer in the community.

Council Member Jackson thanked Jeremy Henderson for his work and effort as the Finance Director and completion of the audit.

Gayla stated that a grant was issued to the Youth Commission and they determined to hold the Youth Commission Fair. She stated that they expect to have 45 booths from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. for all ages. She stated that there will be information about job openings, volunteer opportunities, and much more. She thanked the media for the support and the sponsorship of Castle Ridge, which is providing the location for the event.

Mayor Kuder reported that the Veterans Committee has announced Steve Hardy as the Grand Marshall of the 4th of July Parade this year.

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 6:32 p.m. .

https://www.cityofcentralia.org/media/8156