CARTHAGE CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING MARCH 17th, 2026

The Regular Meeting of the Carthage City Council was held Tuesday, March 17 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 Roberts to approve the regular
meeting minutes of February 24 th . All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.
Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Roberts to approve the special
meeting minutes of February 23 rd . All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.
After discussion a motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Smith to approve
the February budgetary report. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Brian Christiansen spoke with the Council about the upcoming Nauvoo Marathon. They
would like to start the marathon in front of the Hancock County Courthouse in Carthage
and it will finish at the Willards Richard Inn in Nauvoo. This marathon will be held on
April 25 th . They would like to place a few portable toilets on the corner of Madison street
and Main street. These toilets would be removed the following day.
Motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Walker to approve the Nauvoo
Marathon permission form. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Mayor Smith reported to the Council that the City received a letter from GFL stating that
they will be applying a 15% fuel surcharge to residential invoices. This surcharge will
remain in effect until the price of diesel fuel drops below $4.50 per gallon. The contract
with GFL states that they are entitled to add this surcharge when the price of fuel exceeds
$4.50 per gallon.
Clerk Roberts reported to the Council that an escrow account needs to be established for
the TIF agreement with Jonathan and Elizabeth Pearson.
Motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Roberts to approve the establishment
of a TIF escrow account for the benefit of Jonathan & Elizabeth Pearson with Donna
Walker, Gary Smith, Pam Edris and Scott Roberts as approved signers of that account.
All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
Clerk Roberts notified the Council that the City recently received a letter stating that the
Illinois Gaming Board overpaid the City of Carthage local video gaming tax revenue in

the amount of $1,176.14. They will be reducing the amount they pay to the City in the
future to recoup that amount in the next few months.
Clerk Roberts reported to the Council that the current copier lease for the Admin
department ends in May. A new copier lease from Access Systems has been presented to
the Council for consideration. The new copier would be the exact same model as the
current copier. The current lease price is $110.13 per month and the new lease price
would be $139.00 per month for a term of 60 months.
Motion was made by Alderman Walker, seconded by Long to approve the Access
Systems Copier lease as stated above. All six Aldermen voted “yes”.
City Attorney Tom Hartzell reported on several delinquent properties. He also presented
the Mayor with a deed for “Friendship Park” that is located directly west of City Hall.
The City recently purchased this property from the Carthage Library District.
Alderman Smith reported to the Council that the Safety Committee reviewed the budget
requests for the Fire Department and Police Department. He also reported that the Fire
Department has been working on the tanker and brush truck.
Alderman Smith reported to the Council that the 22 squad car received a new battery and
had an oil change recently and the 17 squad car received a new Gateway Module. He
also reported that the department participated in a mandated Non-escalation and De-
escalation Scenario Based training.
Alderman Smith reported to the Council that WIRC Victim Services has submitted a
permission form to the City. They are asking permission to place ribbons on light poles
on the square for the month of April. April is Child abuse prevention and sexual assault
awareness month.
Motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Roberts to approve the permission
form from WIRC Victim Services. All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.
Alderman Smith reported to the Council that Illini West High School has submitted a
permission form for a 5K color run/family run to be held on April 15 th from 5:30 p.m. to
7:00 p.m. They have already spoken with the Police Department and have reviewed the
route that will be taken.
Motion was made by Alderman Smith, seconded by Walker to approve the permission
form from IWHS for the color run. All six Aldermen answered “aye” in approval.