The Centralia City Council held a discussion of proposed updates to the Centralia Municipal Code at its regular meeting on Monday. New state law requires municipalities to have baseline building codes matching versions of the International Building Code, International Existing Building Code, and International Residential Code published within the past nine years. Centralia is required to update because it currently uses codes published over 25 years ago.
Captain Blake Perez of the fire department went over changes in the updated code. One noteworthy change is a requirement for property owners renting to tenants to provide heating other than a space heater during winter months. Perez said that in code enforcement the city will place most of its focus on serious and potentially dangerous violations and offer property owners a grace period to address minor violations.
The council passed a resolution to support an application for a $3.15 million Community Project Funding grant to support the Barton Bottoms and Joliff Bridge Road watermain replacement project. The city is now committed to provide the required 20 percent match of $788,000 if it receives the grant. The aging watermain, over 50 years old, provides water to Kaskaskia College and the Centralia Correctional Center. It has experienced multiple breaks in the past year and is expected to continue having problems until it is replaced.
In another resolution, the board approved a proposal from Ironhorse, Inc. for railroad maintenance in the amount of $79,489. Ironhorse will be repairing a city-owned railroad spur in the industrial park, including crossing panels, track, rails and ties. A railroad crossing on Swan Avenue will be shut down for 5 to 7 days while the work is completed.
City Manager Galen Mahle reports that Centralia has selected a new Recreation Coordinator. Eli Cox, who has been the program director youth programs at the Clinton County YMCA, will start as Centralia Recreation Coordinator next week.
Water treatment plant operator Robert Alli was recognized for 10 years of service.
