The City of Centralia will consider a lease of the two ball fields and concession stand in Fairview Park to 618 Sports academy. Interim City Manager Forrest Langenfeld says in exchange for use of the facilities, the academy has agreed to maintain and repair the ball fields and concession stand as needed. He reports the lease will be year to year with the option to renew at the request of 618 academy. Langenfeld says the agreement will alleviate the maintenance concerns that have previously been brought up by residents and drive recreational and economic activity to the park and Centralia businesses as well.
The council will also consider a resolution to amend the city’s current agreement with the Centralia Recreation Complex. Langenfeld says the complex is in agreement with the changes.
Another resolution would approve a cooperative Intergovernmental Agreement between the South Central Illinois Mass Transit District and the City of Centralia for the Trolley Vehicle. The city’s old agreement first entered in 2019 has expired.
There will be more discussion on a city truancy code. The issue was tabled at the last meeting over concern about fines and some parents who cannot get their children to school facing a cost they cannot afford. Police Chief Greg Dodson noted it was not about fines, but giving them another tool in their toolbox to get students back in class which has been much higher than usual as a result of COVID-19.
The council will be asked to continue to allow the Crooked Creek Winery at 102 East Broadway to continue to host outdoor musical events from April through November similar to what they did last year.
The seating of the new city council will not take place until the May 10th meeting because canvas results will not be available until sometime on Tuesday.
The meeting begins at six Monday night and will be conducted via Zoom due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Here’s how to join the meeting:
As per Senate Bill 2135 that amends the Open Meetings Act, this meeting will be conducted and attended remotely by the Mayor and City Council. The City of Centralia is providing the following weblink and phone number for use by citizens to join approximately 5 minutes before the start of the meeting.
To join by link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88266220817
To join by phone: Dial: 1-312-626-6799
Meeting ID :882 6622 0817
Anyone wishing to address the Mayor and City Council during public participation should contact the City Clerk, Kim Enke, at kaenke@cityofcentralia.org or call 618-533-7636 by 4 p.m. on the day of the meeting to receive further details about how to participate.
