CARTHAGE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 13th, 2026

The Regular Meeting of the Carthage City Council was held Tuesday, January 13 th , 2026,
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 December 9 th . All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.
Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve the special
meeting minutes of December 15 th . All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.
Mayor Smith reported to the Council that the City has received an offer to purchase a
junk vehicle from the City. Officer St. John has offered $500 to purchase the old 2021
Police Department cruiser. The motor is bad in this vehicle and the City had planned on
scrapping it prior to this offer.
Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve the sale of the
2021 Police Cruiser to Josh St. John for the amount of $500.00. All six Aldermen voted
“yes”.
Mayor Smith reported to the Council that the Annual chamber dinner is scheduled for
Tuesday, January 27 th which is the night of the second Council meeting this month. The
Mayor would like to move the date of the second Council meeting so that the Mayor and
Aldermen may attend the Chamber dinner.
Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve moving the
second Council meeting in January to Thursday, January 29 th . All six Aldermen voted
“yes”.
Mayor Smith reported to the Council that the Planning Commission met on Thursday,
January 8 th to discuss the request for a zoning variance at 712 Center Street to allow for
multiple apartments. Clerk Roberts took minutes at the Commission meeting so he
briefly reported on the meeting. The property owner of 712 Center Street was present
and stated his case for the City allowing the zoning variance. Several of the neighbors to
this property were also present to notify the commission that they did not want the
variance to be allowed and stated their case for the zoning variance to be denied. The
Planning Commission listened to both arguments and recommended to the Council that
the zoning variance be denied.

Motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Roberts to deny the request for a
zoning variance for 712 Center Street to allow for multiple apartments. All six Aldermen
voted “yes”.
Mayor Smith reported to the Council that Brenda Young notified the City that they had
received an offer of $28,000 for the purchase of 243 Main Street. This is the house that
the City is currently using grant funds to rehab as part of the Strong Communities Grant
Program.
Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Roberts to approve the sale of 243
Main Street for the amount of $28,000.00. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Mayor Smith reported to the Council that the owner of 724 Walnut has inquired about
selling the property to the City. The City has asked about purchasing this property as part
of the Strong Community Grant Program which allows the City to use grant funds to
demolish or rehab vacant or abandoned homes.
Motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Walker to accept the agreement of
$8,500.00 for the purchase of 724 Walnut Street. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Mayor Smith reported to the Council that an application has been turned in to the City
from Josh and Deverie Troutman. They are asking for TIF funds to help with the
renovations on their building at 604 Wabash Avenue.
Motion was made by Alderman Long, seconded by Roberts to approve the TIF funds
application from Josh and Deverie Troutman. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
After discussion a Motion was made by Alderman Walker, Seconded by Smith to
approve the December budgetary report. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Mr. David Vass addressed the Council to discuss his property at 22 Main Street. At the
first Council meeting in December the Council asked Mr. Vass to finish the cleanup of
his property and report back at this meeting. The City Code enforcer Dan Banner took
photos of the property the day before this meeting showing that no progress had been
made. Mr. Vass said that as of Monday afternoon he had put up two sheets of plywood to
block the junk and debris from view.
The City Attorney, Tom Hartzell read to the Council the court order that states “The court
finds Defendant David Vass shall have until Monday, November 17, 2025 by 12:00 p.m.
to complete all repairs and remediations on his real estate and bring the real estate into
compliance with the Carthage City Code or the City of Carthage will be granted
permission to immediately begin demolition of the real estate into compliance with the
Carthage City Code which would include the removal of any and all structures, debris,

accumulation of inoperative or unused chattel property and all nuisances and make the
real estate safe beginning immediately at 12:01 p.m. on Monday, November 17, 2025.
After discussion a motion was made by Alderman Roberts, seconded by Smith to follow
the court order as stated above. Alderman Smith, Roberts, Steinkamp, Biondolino and
Walker voted “yes”. Alderman Long Abstained. Motion passed by a vote of 5 to 0.
Mayor Smith notified Mr. Vass that the City Street Department would be notified that
when time became available they should proceed to clean the property at 22 Main Street.
He encouraged Mr. Vass to remove any items that he wished to keep before the Street
Department arrives.
Mayor Smith notified the Council that he had setup Alderman emails for each City
Alderman so that they no longer have to use their personal emails.
Mayor Smith reported to the Council that the City Clerk, Mayor Smith, Steve Kline from
Jacob & Kline, Gwen Crawford from Jacob & Kline, Mr. & Mrs. Johnathan Pearson and
several other individuals met via video conference to discuss the distribution of funds for
the Carthage Centennial Development project.
City Attorney Tom Hartzell reported on several delinquent properties.
Alderman Smith reported to the Council that the Annual squad certifications were
completed on January 6 th . He also reported that the new 2025 squad car backed into a
dumpster and needs repaired.
Alderman Smith reported that the tokens are almost used up for the old car wash. The
Police Department uses these whenever a vehicle needs cleaned. The Police Department
would like to use the new car wash, they stated that a fleet account card could be used
and the City would be billed quarterly.
Motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Roberts to approve the use of the
new kwik shine car wash for cleaning the Police Department vehicles. All six Aldermen
voted “yes”.
Alderman Smith reported to the Council that the 2017 Police cruiser needs repairs.
Carson Motors has submitted an estimate for repairs with the City.
Motion was made by Alderman Long, seconded by Walker to approve the repairs for the
2017 Police vehicle. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.

Alderman Smith reported to the Council that Animal control officer would like to
purchase a scanner. This scanner can be used for micro chipped animals.
Motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Long to approve the purchase of an
animal micro-chip scanner. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Alderman Biondolino reported to the Council that the Illinois EPA has requested yet
another extension to review the submitted sampling reports.
After discussion a motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve
payment of the December bills. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Alderman Long reported to the Council that Doug from Benton Engineering attended the
Public Works Committee meeting and they discussed the deep well motor failure. He
also reported that D&L is waiting until all of the work is done before they start on the
electronics associated with the second deep well.
Alderman Long reported to the Council that several water leaks have been repaired over
the last couple of weeks. He also reported that the Brining equipment for snow removal
is due this week.
Motion to adjourn by Alderman Smith, seconded by Roberts at 8:23 PM
Respectfully submitted,

Scott Roberts
City Clerk