The Centralia City Council approved resolutions committing to the 2025 grant applications for an Illinois Safe Routes to School grant and an Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant. A public hearing was held for both grants prior to the regular council meeting, and no questions were asked by members of the public.
If approved, the $250,000 Safe Routes to School grant would support the construction of 800 feet of new ADA-compliant sidewalk along Country Club Road to serve students and families of Jordan Elementary School with the goal of improving safety and encouraging walking and biking to school.
The OSLAD grant would support new improvements at Fairview Park including a new internal roadway and sidewalks, the installation of fencing around the playground for added safety, updated skate park equipment, outdoor fitness stations along a new walking path, birdhouses, benches, and additional trash receptacles. The grant threshold is $600,000 with total estimated costs at $745,815. The city is looking at ways to reduce the total cost of the project before the final application is submitted.
In public comment, Jeannell Charman of the Raccoon Lake Association asked the council to form a committee together with the association to work on stabilizing the Raccoon Lake shoreline. Charman expressed the opinion of the Raccoon Lake Association that restoration efforts on the lake would qualify for OSLAD grant funding.
The council authorized a purchase and sale agreement with Nexamp Solar on the advice of Affordable Gas and Electric to purchase energy from its community solar program. This agreement includes two proposals; one for the wastewater treatment plant, projected to save the city $24,000 per year over an initial term of 20 years, and one for 83 other city utility accounts with an estimated savings of $29,000 over an initial 3-year term.
A letter of intent was approved to authorize a power purchase agreement with StraightUp Solar for the installation of a solar energy system at the site of the new water treatment plant. Construction would take place at no cost to the city, and power would be purchased with a guaranteed minimum savings of 65% on electricity costs for the first year compared to current utility rates. Ownership of the solar system will be transferred to the city after 7 years.
In other resolutions, the council approved the purchase of a replacement water pump for the wastewater treatment plant for $41,778. The cost of replacing the inoperable pump was found to be less expensive than repairing it.
The city of Centralia entered into a mutual aid agreement with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to provide emergency aid across jurisdictional boundaries. This agreement is similar to existing agreements Centralia has with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Salem, Central City, Wamac, and Kaskaskia College.
The council approved the purchase of a 2022 Ford F150 for the price of $33,000 to replace a totaled police vehicle. Insurance fully covered the cost of the replacement vehicle.
A service award was given to Police Sergeant Michael D. Peebles, recognizing 20 years of service.
