Carmi City Council Considers Prohibiting Parking on East Side of Fifth Street

Carmi Council gathered for about 25 minutes Tuesday evening; most of that time spent approving resolutions, bills for lien searches, and additional tidying up of it’s house following audit recommendations including instituting financial management policies and practices, setting a petty cash spending limit, and authorizing credit card users.  Council approved $1,500 in pay requests from Southern Illinois Title Insurance for 5 separate lien searches and also approved a change order in the final bill for Hillsdale water system improvements.  That bill actually came down $270,000 according to officials.

The most time intensive portion of the meeting was dedicated to a potential ordinance which would prohibit parking on the east side of Fifth Street between Stewart and Sycamore.  Chief Jason Carter with an explanation.

Back when we had the slag pit north of town, there was always no parking on the east side of Fifth Street from Main all the way to Sycamore.  A few years ago, the council voted to rescind the no parking between Stewart and Sycamore and allow parking on both sides of the road.  Since that time, we’ve had a few accidents and numerous near accidents.  During school time, it’s absolutely terrible when vehicles are parked on both sides because people are trying to weave in and out to avoid parked cars and oncoming cars.  So several people in that area have approached both myself and city hall asking if there’s anything that can be done to limit the parking there.

Council discussed the issue wary of creating a burden to homeowners on that side of the street as well.

There’s really not a good solution because if you make it no parking on the east side, the people that live there are not going to be happy.  They don’t have much parking behind their house and also don’t have long driveways to park without blocking the sidewalk which becomes another issue.  I’m at a loss as to what to do to avoid accidents and congestion.

Ultimately, council would vote to table the matter for now while alderman Doug Hays gathers more information and talks to homeowners who would be affected.

Chief Carter also introduced his newest hire.  Grant Leavens will join the force bringing the Carmi Police Department back to fully staffed.  He’s 25, grew up in Grayville, is married and expecting their second child.  He’ll be heading out for training on September 3^rd and should hit the streets following his 16 weeks at the academy.

Council adjourned without an executive session at 5:54pm.