The Carmi City Council met on Tuesday night for their second meeting of October. Following the approval of minutes and financial matters, the Council delved into a full agenda.
The Council unanimously approved to allow Police Chief Jason Carter to list on Ebay a 2003 Cadillac CTS his Department had seized as surplus property with a minimum bid of $1000. Alderman Doug Hayes informed the Council that the car had been in use by the City, but some mechanical issues with the vehicle made it cost prohibitive for the City to repair it.
City electrical engineer David Coston then presented the Council a proposal to purchase a new boiler for the Light Plant. Coston explained that the boiler is used in keeping the engines warm, and was an essential part of the process in using the plant. Coston also explained that the boiler system currently installed was not the correct design for their needs, and that over the past several years, the City had spent four to five thousand dollars each year for maintenance and repairs. After some discussion, the Council agreed to purchase a new boiler from Alpha Energy Solutions for an installed cost of $48,438 split into two payments.
Coston also updated the Council on repairs made to engines #7 and #11 after EPA testing to bring them up to code. Coston said that those repairs have been made or are still in the process of being completed.
John Acree of Lamac Engineering then spoke to the Council about the progress that has been made on crucial improvements to the City’s water distribution infrastructure. Most of the major projects have been completed, including the replacement and installation of new pressure reducing stations and new pump stations.
Acree explained that several problems had been found at the Blue Goose, but after much work those had been resolved. He then asked the Council to consider adopting a new ordinance to provide funds to finish projects that the City has so far put off or cut, such as repainting the water tower near Burrell’s Woods.
Acree told the Council that in 2015, they had adopted an ordinance that approved an EPA loan for $1.5 million dollars to be repaid at 1.6% over 20 years at a cost of $7300 a month. The EPA later granted the City a $750,000 principal forgiveness grant, dropping the cost in half. The EPA will allow the City to borrow more money at the same rate to finish out those projects.
After much discussion by Aldermen, Mayor Pollard, and Acree, the Council approved that they go forward with the plan presented, with final approval to be granted at a future meeting.
Mayor Pollard thanked all City employees, especially Chief Carter and the Police Department for making the Corn Day weekend go well, and thanked Keith Botch for purchasing the Fall banners now in place on the light poles downtown.
The Carmi City Council will next meet on Tuesday, November 7th at 5:30.
