Carmi City Council Approves Purchase of New Police Vehicle
The Carmi City Council met for less than thirty minutes Tuesday night, covering several items of business prior to adjournment for a closed session to discuss personnel.
While there was no action following the executive session, the council approved the purchase of a new pickup truck prior to the closed session.
Alderman Doug Hays of the Police Committee explained to the council, under state mandate, the city will be able to purchase a new Dodge Ram pickup and make that buy locally.
Hays said the truck will cost a total of $26,600 and will be purchased from White County Ford Chrysler here in Carmi. Twenty five thousand of the cost will come out of the general fund, with the remainder of the cost to be paid from discretionary funds.
It was pointed out the new vehicle will allow the police department to retire an older vehicle, said vehicle being a 2013 Caprice, which apparently has not been “cost effective.”
Other vehicles will be retired from service in a timely manner with future plans for the police department trucks to possibly be used by the city departments.
WIth no more discussion the council unanimously approved the purchase.
Mayor Jeff Pollard reminded council of the electronic recycling day set for 9 to 1 this Saturday at the old Newton Wire and Cable building on Third Street. He pointed out the local media, radio and newspaper had done a good job of getting the word out.
Mayor Pollard then explained what had been going on along outer Oak Street Tuesday afternoon, pointing out Illinois Department of Transportation Survey Crews had been checking the speed of vehicles as there is a possibility IDOT could change the speed limit on that section of highway.
Carmi Chief of Police Jason Carter explained that the final decision will be up to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Later in the meeting, the council discussed the stop lights along Main Street explaining IDOT would prefer to see the lights at Main Cross and Walnut turned off, but want the light at Church street to remain operational. That was an issue that was brought up several years ago, with the city deciding at the time to leave the two lights operating for the convenience and safety of downtown shoppers and others.
Alder woman Shelia Headlee reported on the coming fiscal year budget explaining “it was looking good.”
Prior to calling the executive session, Carmi librarian Stephanie Dennis briefly spoke to the council, offering heartfelt thanks to the city for clearing the parking lot and sidewalks during the recent snows. She explained that was a chore, she and former librarian Elaine Foster used to perform themselves, concluding by thanking the city for everything it does for the library.
