Leaders gathered for a relatively quick meeting for the Carmi City Council Tuesday lasting just 16 minutes plus a 4-minute public hearing prior. The public hearing was in reference to the city vacating the alley that separates First Baptist Church at the corner of Oak and Main with it’s parking lot. Barry Baker, head trustee with the church, says accessibility wasn’t as big of a concern when the church was built, some in 1946 with an addition in 1964. He says the alley always comes up in conversations amongst church leaders.
We look to put in a ground level entrance on the southwest corner that butts up to the alley and that may seem like small potatoes, but this building has no access without taking steps and then on the northwest corner, a ramped alley so what we hope to do is gain control to create some additional parking spaces and handicap accessible spaces.
The city granted vacating the alley reiterating that the church would not be able to build anything there as a utility easement located there.
Additionally Tuesday, council voted to open a checking account for the Carmi Fire Department after they received an $11,000 grant. It’s said the department will use those funds to purchase a pair of Automated External Defibrillators and also thermal cameras.
Before reports, the council also agreed unanimously to cancel the two Tractor Supply credit cards held by City Treasurer Stacey Courson and Brooke Harrison due to changes made at the store. With that, the council authorized that City Supervisor Brad Attebury be issued a purchasing debit card through First Bank to purchase needed items for all departments. The resolution indicated the card was for use at Tractor Supply, but in the meeting, it was indicated it could be used elsewhere. Courson has a card as does Diane Buckman.
In reports, Mayor Bill Stendeback touted the upcoming 50th celebration at the Carmi Airport this Saturday. The tentative schedule calls for
Tentative schedule
Flap Jack breakfast 8:00-10:00am
Car show 9:00-?!!?
Aircraft static display 8:00-8:00pm
Students Art Gallery 8:00-8:00pm
Winners announced 12:20
Food Trucks
Green Pig, 5th Street, 4-Ways Dairy Barn, Taylor Made, Tropical Snow
Corn hole contest 12:30
Carmi Bullfrog swim team 50/50 tickets all day, winner drawn @ 7:00pm
Kiwanis Key Club ticket sales all day for autographed Kenny Wallace fire suit & memorabilia drawing @ 7:00
White County Flying Club free
airplane rides beginning @10:30 am
Presentation of Colors by Carmi American Legion and Carmi VFW with National Anthem by Mike Croghan @ 12:00 noon
State Representative Dave Severin
Congressman Mike Bost 12:10
Local Entertainment 12:30-5:00
4-H Paper airplane contest 4:00-5:00
Student Council face painting 5:00-7:00
Tethered Hot Air Balloon rides 6:00-8:00
Furthermore, work continues to finish the stage at the uptown park.
Ryan Botsch appeared again to follow up after council voted to amend the liquor ordinance at the May 19th meeting. He formally requested that liquor license application. Leaders agreed to get that to him.
Citizen Richard Cook Jr. addressed the council asking them to carefully consider the bids for the city’s wastewater treatment plant from Illinois American Water saying he encouraged them to reach out to residents of communities where the company has taken over. He said in his research, he hasn’t found people expressing positive experiences. In state news Wednesday, the Citizens Utility Board says it has identified at least $54 million worth of overcharges in Illinois American Water’s proposed $142.4 million rate increase. When requesting approval of the hike from the Illinois Commerce Commission earlier this year, the water utility estimated that the typical residential customer would pay about $14 more per month and typical wastewater customers would pay an extra $28 per month.