South Central Reporter

City of Centralia City Council met July 28.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The City Council for Centralia, Illinois met on Monday July 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 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; Chief Chris Locke, Police Department; Jeremy Henderson, Finance Director; Chief Jeff Day, Fire Department; 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

Service awards were presented recognizing Fire Department Captain Blake A. Perez And Captain Scott E. Wiesen each for 20 years of service.

Rick Garrett thanked the firefighters that received service awards for their service. Mr. Garrett also discussed the OSLAD grants for Fairview Park and Laura Leake Park. He stated that he feels that Laura Leake Park is not given the same attention but also does want all parks to have improvements. He questioned the expenses at Fairview Park and any additional funds provided, the pavilion at Point Park, and inquired where the funds came from. He also asked when the pavilion project is going to start in Laura Leake Park or for any information about the grant for roads in Fairview Park. He also requested updates about a mural at Laura Leake and if it is going to be completed.

Mike Morris from the Centralia Recycling Center, discussed operations at the center and the upcoming clean up planned on August 12th prior to Balloon Fest. Mayor Kuder thanked him for organizing this and the many volunteers for providing their service.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

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

2. Approval Of Payrolls And Vouchers In The Amount Of $ 1,024,999.94

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

4. An Ordinance Approving The Temporary Closure Of A City Street For A Community Event On September 6, 2025

5. An Ordinance Waiving The Application Of Section 20-125(B)(2) Of The Centralia Municipal Code And Approving A Request By The McKendree University Bass Fishing Team To Use Centralia Lake On September 7th, 2025

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

Mitch Hardick from Milano and Grunloh provided updated information and progress about some of the engineering projects, grant applications, and awards with discussion from the City Council Members concerning other needed projects including sidewalks, roadways, and water line projects.

BIDS

None

ORDINANCES

A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Garrett to Table And Amend Into Three Separate Listed Items At The Next Council Meeting An Ordinance to Amend The Centralia Municipal Code To Decrease In The Number of Class C, E, and F Liquor Licenses and To Increase The Number of Class A Liquor Licenses.

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 this proposed ordinance is for a renewal of the Line of Credit that the City has had since 2012. It currently has a zero balance. The interest rate is -1% under the index. It would be currently at a rate of 6.5% and this LOC has a 12-month term, which is the same as the last terms. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Jackson to Approve An Ordinance Amending An Ordinance Renewing a Line of Credit with Midland States Bank.

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 stated that due to the damaged roof at City Hall from a recent storm, the City’s insurance company, has worked with the Public Property staff and local contractor that installed the roof and determined the storm damage would require roof replacement. The insurance company has provided the city with the funds to cover the cost of the necessary repairs and replacement with the City paying the deductible in the amount of $10,000.00. At this time the City has received a majority of the funds in the amount of $273,701.66 with final release of the claim amount expected at completion of the project by the Contractor. The roof will include a 20-yr full system Versico NDL labor and materials warranty. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve An Ordinance Waiving The Bidding Requirements For Replacement And Repair Of The City Hall Roof In Conjunction With An Insurance Claim In The Amount Of $392,649.47.

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 provided the history of the Elmwood Cemetery Trust that began in 1953, with the Old National Bank of Centralia, Illinois, that later became US Bank to manage private donations given to the City for the perpetual care of certain cemetery plots at Elmwood Cemetery. He reported that as of July 9, 2025, the funds within the trust amounted to $68,204.55. he noted that the City was notified by U.S. Bank early in 2025 that they no longer wanted to act in their capacity as trustee due to the size the of trust. The City reached out to Midland States Bank who agreed to the same services at an annual fee of $2,500 a year which will be paid out of the trust. The fees will cover tax services, the costs of the perpetual maintenance of the applicable plots, and all other administrative expenses. The funds will be invested in a conservative manner with the intent of covering the aforementioned fees all the while continuing to grow the trust. With this ordinance approval section 7-20 of The Centralia Municipal Code will be updated to reflect Midland States Bank as the new trustee with all the requirements of the trustee remaining the same. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Garrett to Approve An Ordinance Amending The Centralia Municipal Code Appointing Midland States Bank As Trustee Of The Elmwood Cemetery Trust.

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 this resolution proposed for approval was in conjunction with the approval of Midland States Bank as the trustee for the Elmwood Cemetery Trust. The service fee for the administration of the trust is offered for the same services as the previous trustee at an annual fee of $2,500 a year which will be paid out of the trust. A Motion was made by Council Member Fontanez and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution Approving Service Fees For Elmwood Cemetery Trust Administration.

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.

Mayor Kuder suggested tabling this resolution. A Motion was made by Council Member Allen and seconded by Council Member Fontanez to Table A Resolution Approving A Forgivable Loan Agreement From TIF #3 To Re: Purpose Development For Façade Improvements At 117 E. Broadway.

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.

Mayor Kuder stated that the City of Wamac has graciously offered to provide a Ford Explorer for the use of ESDA that has some minor improvements to be made to it. A Motion was made by Council Member Jackson and seconded by Council Member Allen to Approve A Resolution Accepting The Donation Of A Motor Vehicle From The City Of Wamac For Use By ESDA.

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 congratulated the Captains that each received service awards. He also thanked Mike Morris from the Centralia Recycling Center and reiterated the appreciation and involvement with the annual clean up.

City Manager Mahle also stated that Centralia High School will be beginning to recognize the students and athletes by putting up signs where possible. He recognized Centralia High School staff Member Rachel Cavaletto who was in attendance and leading the efforts for the project. Mayor Kuder noted the number of other communities that do this and how it is great to see this happening in Centralia for the students.

Council Member Fontanez thanked the City of Wamac for the donation of the vehicle and for recognizing the work and the needs of ESDA to continue to do the work that they do for the community.

Mayor Kuder thanked Greg Sutton from Castle Ridge and Shannon Cooney from Crooked Creek Winery who were in attendance for the number of events and concerts that they are providing for the community.

Mayor Kuder also recognized and thanked Captain Perez and Captain Wiesen for their service. 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 6:30 p.m. .

https://www.cityofcentralia.org/media/8271