The Carmi City Council met Tuesday evening for the first time in November. Due to the resignation of Alderman Jack Lamont last month, Council members voted by secret ballot last week to install Jeremy Courson as his replacement in Ward 1. Courson was sworn in by City Attorney Greg Stewart and took his place at the Council table.
Sandra Irvine was on hand to explain to the Council that the State had not accepted an Enterprise Zone application the City had entered along with Grayville, Albion, and White and Edwards Counties, but was now allowing for re-application before the end of the year. The Council unanimously approved both the re-application and an intergovernmental agreement with those other municipalities.
Also approved unanimously was an application for a Community Development Block Grant for sewer and water line work on Marguerite Street. If approved, the grant will provide around $125,000 for the project.
TIF #2 façade improvement grants were approved for Drew’s Barber Den on N. Walnut Street, and Special Effects, Second Time Around, and H.D. Bean Jewelers on Main Street unanimously.
Nick Patel of Rock Bottom Liquors and Ronja Campbell of East Side Package Liquors both addressed the Council about restructuring the City’s Class C liquor licenses to allow pour sales facilitating Illinois gaming licenses at their locations. The Council voted 5-2 to allow Mayor Jeff Pollard to re-write the ordinance for the next meeting. Aldermen Steve Winkleman and Lance Yearby voted against the change.
Mayor Pollard reminded residents about upcoming It’s A White County Christmas events, and thanked Holly Healy for her service as the Executive Director of the Carmi Chamber of Commerce.
The Carmi City Council will meet again on Tuesday, November 21st.