CARTHAGE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 14th, 2025

 

The Regular Meeting of the Carthage City Council was held Tuesday, October 14 th , 2025,
at City Hall, 538 Wabash Avenue. Mayor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
Answering to roll call were Aldermen Smith, Roberts, Steinkamp, Long, Biondolino and
Walker. City Treasurer Pam Edris was also present.

Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve the regular
meeting minutes of September 23 rd . All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.

Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve the special
meeting minutes of September 22 nd . All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.

After discussion a motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve
the September Budgetary Report. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Mayor Smith reported to the Council that an Ordinance has been prepared for TIF funds
to go to Whispering Pines Investments in the amount of $5,380.00. This would
reimburse funds for installing a new water line at a rental property.

Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve Ordinance No.
2025-10 An Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a Carthage TIF
District Redevelopment Agreement by and between the City of Carthage and Whispering
Pines Investments. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.

Mayor Smith reported to the Council that an Ordinance has been prepared for TIF funds
to go to the Velvet Hanger in the amount of $15,000.00 over three years. $5,000.00 is to
be paid each of the three years if certain requirements that are set by the City are reached
each year.

Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Long to approve Ordinance No.
2025-11 An Ordinance approving and authorizing the execution of a Carthage TIF
District redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Carthage and Velvet
Hanger. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.

Alderman Smith reported to the Council that the 2017 squad car received an oil change
and the 2021 squad had new front brakes and the right front CV axle replaced. He also
reported that the Camera Grant money in the amount of $7,398.40 has been received.
Alderman Smith reported to the Council that the pocketalk devices have been delivered
to the City. He also reported that the animal control officer would like to purchase a

toolbox to keep his equipment in. He is thinking that the total purchase price will be less
than $100.00

Alderman Smith reported to the Council that the Police Department has recently received
a large amount of FOIA requests that are keeping the Chief very busy. He also reported
that a juvenile has been arrested for the burglaries that occurred on the early morning of
October 5 th .

Alderman Smith reported to the Council that the City is required to appoint a Fire Chief
once every six months if the current chief has not achieved a particular license or the
chief has not serviced for 10 years. This is the case with the current Fire Chief.

Motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Walker to approve the appointment
of Kody Horn as Fire Chief. All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.

Alderman Biondolino reported to the Council that the owner of the company that
received the tree removal bids has been ill but that he will begin working on the trees in
the next couple of weeks. He also reported that the Library board has voted to relinquish
the Friendship Park property to the City of Carthage if the City agrees to draw up the
legal documents and pay any costs associated with the transferring of ownership.
Motion was made by Alderman Biondolino, seconded by Smith to approve taking control
of the Friendship Park Property with the above stated stipulation of covering any and all
legal fees. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.

Alderman Biondolino reported to the Council that the City will be advertising for snow
removal bids. The City is seeking bids for snow removal of the sidewalks in front of the
City Hall building, Legacy Theater, Fire Department, Museum and Community Center.
After discussion a motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Roberts to
approve payment of the September bills. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Alderman Walker reported to the Council that the City Audit has been prepared. Clerk
Roberts reported on several sections of the City Audit.

Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve the City Audit.
All six Aldermen voted “yes”.

Alderman Walker reported to the Council that a Tax Levy Ordinance needs to be
prepared by the City Clerk. The Finance Committee recommends an increase of 3% to
the total City tax levy amount. The result would be that the City will bring in $8,658.00
more in the tax levy than in the previous year.

 

A motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Long to have the City Clerk
prepare a Tax Levy ordinance with an increase of 3% to the total City tax levy amount.
Aldermen Smith, Roberts, Long, Biondolino and Walker all voted “yes”. Alderman
Steinkamp voted “no”. Motion passed by a voted of 5 to 1.

Alderman Long reported to the Council that all of the work on the second deep well has
been completed and the water plant is starting to run more efficiently now that the
digging portion of that project has been completed. He also reported that the state is
recommending that the City replace the loop system at the traffic light on Buchanan and
Madison with either a single camera or four camera system. Clerk Roberts will reach out
to Brown electric to get prices on both a single camera and four camera system.

Alderman Long reported to the Council that salt bids have been submitted by Morton Salt
and Compass Mineral. Morton Salt has the low bid of $97.58 per ton of Salt.
Motion was made by Alderman Long, seconded by Walker to approve the low bid of
$97.58 per ton of salt from Morton Salt company. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.

Alderman Long reported to the Council that the City has asked for bids on Equipment
rental for larger equipment such as a skid loader, Excavator, hydro seeder, etc. The only
company to bid on the equipment rental was White excavating. The bid was for $25.94
per hour for 160 hours of equipment rental usage totaling $4,150.00 for 160 hours.
Motion was made by Alderman Long, seconded by Smith to accept the low bid of $25.94
per hour for 160 hours of equipment rental. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.

Alderman Long reported to the Council that the road to Dearwester was treated with sap
to help keep the dust down. He also reported that street repairs have been made on South
Adams street and North Scofield.

Alderman Long reported to the Council that a water main break was repaired on
Questover Drive. He also reported that truck testing has been performed on all the street
department trucks.

Motion to adjourn by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith at 8:02 PM
Respectfully submitted,

Scott Roberts
City Clerk