The Carmi City Council met for the first time in August Tuesday evening. The Council unanimously approved the survey of the Blockway subdivision for expansion and accepted bids of $111.11 each on a 2007 Ford Edge and a 1999 Ford Taurus declared surplus by the City.
The bi-annual resolutions for continuation of participation in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund were both approved unanimously.
The Council then approved a written set of guidelines for the TIF II Façade Improvement Grant Program, capping loans at $5000 with recipient matching to ensure the programs viability. The motion carried unanimously.
The Council then took up the issue of fixing many problems with the City’s approaches to Liquor Control ordinances. Mayor Jeff Pollard told those assembled that the Council originally took up the issue four years ago, and with input from those discussions, along with City Attorney Greg Stewart and Police Chief Jason Carter, had come up with a new ordinance that treated all license holders fairly.
The major changes were the addition of a special event license similar to a provision adopted by Grayville, and the ability for restaurants to allow Sunday pour sales from 1 pm to 10 pm. New language in the ordinance now bans the consumption of alcoholic beverages on city owned and operated streets, alleys, and sidewalks.
After much discussion on the matter, Aldermen Steve Winkleman and Lance Yearby voted against the measure, while the remaining six Aldermen supported the measure, allowing it to pass.
With no closed session, the meeting adjourned at 6:20 pm. The Council will meet again on Tuesday, August 15th at 5:30.
