In March, it was first brought up at Carmi City Council that a new roof was needed for the Police Department. Two and a half months later and there’s finally been a decision made. Leaders had options. The hitch in the giddy-up was mainly over purchasing materials from Carmi Lumber and having city workers construct a pitched roof or going with a TPO roof made specifically for low grade/flat roofs. After hemming and hawing for about 12 minutes, a motion was made to accept the low bid on a TPO roof from Integrity at a cost of $28,854.79. Council members Greg Knight and Mike Knight abstained due to their relationship with an employee of Integrity. Councilman Jeremy Courson abstained due to his work status as an employee at Carmi Lumber. With alderman Tracy Nelson absent, it took yes votes from Mark Blake, Lacey Bradshaw, Doug Hays, and Jack Bradshaw to move the matter forward. Hays had spoken in support of purchasing the materials from Carmi Lumber.
Council has approved a TIF agreement with Whitney Barbre. She has plans to improve and expand her business, Tumble Time Cheer and Fitness.
So I am wanting to build a new gym where the car wash was right next to Tumble Time. It will be 60 x 80 x 14 building and then I want to connect it to the existing building and go ahead and update the existing building. We’re going to do insulation, put heating and air in, and re-metal the whole outside of it.
She’s hoping the building will come to fruition by or in August.
Council Tuesday also officially approved the ordinance that will add stop signs to north and south bound Church Street at Kerney. Additionally, council passed an anti-nepotism policy with the caveat that those already considered city employees or elected officials are “grandfathered in”.
During the 45 minute open session, council also tackled regulating inflatables and water slide use at city parks. That was before being
addressed by citizen Katelyn Treftzs on the topic. Leaders say the city isn’t insured for their use and therefore, folks who choose to set them up at city parks will need to contact their homeowners insurance on the dates they plan to utilize them and have the city added when they’re being utilized. Council woman Bradshaw, who works in insurance added context.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a separate policy. If you have a homeowners policy with $1 million of liability, that person, whoever’s doing it, needs to add the City of Carmi as additional insured on that policy and create a certificate.
Treftzs discussed the inflatables, water balloons, and tent camping with the mayor and council.
Mayor Bill Stendeback reported the city pool is nearing readiness with all 5 lifeguards now certified. Thursday, the pool should be filled. It’s expected to take about a day ad a half and then chemicals have to be added to treat it and get it ready. The hope is somewhere between Monday and Wednesday of next week, the pool can open. Stendeback also made a plea for people to slow down. He says the city is getting calls about speeding throughout it’s limits and it’s a problem. Chief Jason Carter says out of 2,481 calls for service this year, there have been 514 traffic stops resulting in 232 citations and 180 written warnings.
City Supervisor Brad Attebury asked citizens to remember to get a free building permit for buildings, fences, trees, outbuildings and sheds.
At 6:15pm, council recessed into executive session to deal with possible litigation. After an hour and ten minutes, they emerged. City attorney Greg Stewart says the council will purchase the property at 200 W. Kerney to resolve a potential sewer damage claim. He says the claim was reviewed by insurance and denied, but that the sewer line needs addressed and economically it made sense. The property is owned by Nick Shiever. The city will pay $66,200 for the property and to alleviate anticipated expenses according to City Clerk Cynthia Attebury. She says the decision was made in lieu of rerouting a major sewer line. The agreement will also give the city a release of all claims from the owner of that property.
Wednesday morning, the city issued a press release stating that due to an error made during the billing process, residents were charged with a higher rate electric cost adjustment. They say the mistake has been fixed and that those who paid a higher rate will have a credit toward their bill being printed and mailed on June 30th.
The release states, “If you have questions regarding this matter, please call the Light and Water Office at 618-382-5555. Hours are 7am- 3pm, Monday through Friday.”
It goes on to say “We realize that the community wishes to have more transparency regarding the electric cost adjustment. At this time, an ordinance is being drafted for the Council to review, and potentially approve, to set the cost adjustment every six months, during a City Council meeting. It is our hope that this can be considered by the Council in July.”
