Mayor James Nightingale called the regular meeting of the Carthage City Council on Tuesday, May 9, to order at 7 p.m. All aldermen were present. Treasurer Edris was also present.
The minutes of the regular and Annual meetings on Tuesday, April 25, were unanimously approved.
The mayor reported that the planning commission met to discuss a few issues. Corey Housewright would like to build an office building on the corner of Main and Marion streets. He obtained signed approval forms from both adjoining property owners for the construction. The planning commission recommends approval of this project. Carthage Veterinary Service would like to construct a new building on the east side of the street north of the current office building on North Second Street. The planning commission also recommends approval of this new construction.
After discussion, the motion to approve the planning commission’s recommendations was unanimously approved.
During a discussion of the April budgetary report, City Clerk Scott Roberts noted that the city “still has quite a bit in the general and capital improvement funds.” He reported a deposit of personal property and income tax revenue. Motor fuel tax revenue is down, but sales tax income has increased. He also noted that this report would be the last for last year’s budget and that the Seniors fund was “a little over budget.”
Roberts noted that all the expenses “look pretty positive.” The miscellaneous expenses in the sewer fund pertain to recording easements for the Lungs lift station.
Mayor Nightingale observed, “utilities at the new water plant are half of what they were. Chemicals are still running high.” Alderman Gary Smith reported that recent samples showed no problems.
After discussion, the April budgetary report was unanimously approved.
City Attorney Tom Hartzell is continuing work on cleaning up properties inside the city limits and reported progress in that one owner brought a dumpster to the property and legal proceedings have been filed against others.
During his report, Alderman Tommie Long stated that the Public Safety Committee had a special meeting to discuss the procedure concerning code violations and ordinance violations. Following a violation, initial contact will be made verbally and photos will be taken and given to the owners. If there is no response, a written warning and possible fine will be given. If property owners still do not respond, City Attorney Hartzell will send a letter advising them of the violations and fines. If the letter is ignored, Hartzell and the City will take the owner(s) to court.
Alderman Long reported Police Chief Derek Himan’s concern that citations don’t show a fine, putting the department at increased risk of liability. Long noted that vehicles will not be towed without a court order to protect officers.
Alderman Long reported vandalism to the 2017 and 2021 squad cars, including tire damage, and recommended parking all vehicles inside. Space will be made to accommodate three police cars.
The INMAR Take Back depository for medications has been installed.
Alderman Long reported that Chief Himan met with Carson Motors to discuss purchasing a squad car. The deadline to order a new 2023 vehicle has passed so Himan would like to purchase a stock 2023 SUV. The motion to purchase the stock 2023 SUV was unanimously approved.
Alderman Long reported to the council that Fire Chief Kody Horn and Coulton Wascher completed the Instructor 2 Training in Champaign. Basic Operations Firefighter training will be completed this month and the fire department will attend Fire College June 2-4 and transition into haz-mat operations.
The new ladder truck is in operation and there will be an open house to introduce it to the public on June 11. A date to break ground for the new training center will be announced soon.
Alderman Long reported that the fire department has also submitted to the council a list of fire department officers for its review: Chief – Kody Horn; First Assistant – Luke Kelly, Second Assistant – Dirk Tweedell, Secretary/Treasurer – Ryan Melvin, President – Colton Wascher, and Vice-President – Evan Davidsonl.
The motion to accept the slate of fire department officers was unanimously approved.
During his Public Property Report, Alderman Ed Own reported that six trees were planted in partial compliance with the Tree City USA Program. The Illinois EPA’s Robert Wagner conducted an evaluation of the landfill and observed no violations. Mayor Nightingale noted that no standing water was observed and all of the well have padlocks on them.
Owen reported an opening on the Tree Board and his motion to have David Ottney fill the position was unanimously approved.
During her Finance report, Alderman Donna Walker moved to approve payment of the April bills; following a discussion, her motion was unanimously approved.
Walker reported to the council that the finance committee recommends a three-year agreement with The Legacy Theater Foundation. The agreement would call for the city to pay The Legacy Theater Foundation $20,000 the first year and $10,000 the second and third years. The city would mow the lawn and provide snow removal during the three-year agreement.
Following a discussion, Walker’s motion to have City Attorney Tom Hartzell draft an agreement between the City of Carthage and The Legacy Theater Foundation was unanimously approved.
During his Public Works report, Alderman Gary Smith noted that Laverdiere Construction has submitted a pay request for work on the Lungs lift station in the amount of $122,425. The council unanimously voted to approve this payment.
Smith reported that Benton and Associates has submitted a pay request for $10,313.62 for preliminary engineering on the new deep well at the water treatment plant. The council unanimously voted to approve this payment.
Smith reported an incident of dumping garbage at the dump site and that a citation will be issued if the garbage isn’t cleared.
Motion to adjourn by Walker, seconded by Long at 7:59 p.m.
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