Wyatt Nothaus is sworn in by clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer as a new officer for the Carlyle Police Department. Photo by Matt Wilson Two new officers for the Carlyle Police Department were sworn in during the Carlyle City Council meeting on Monday, April 13.
Wyatt Nothaus and Hunter Osborne were both sworn in by clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer.
Both are new officers and will attend the SWIC Police Academy in Belleville in May. The Carlyle Police Department is back at full staff.
During the March 23 meeting, the council approved the hiring of Chris Jansen and Nothaus as police officers. Jansen's resignation was approved during the April 13 meeting.
During the zoning/planning portion of the meeting, the council approved a variance request for Southtown Estates third addition.
City Administrator Brad Myers received a variance request from Stanley Becker. There was a meeting on March 24 to get approval for the addition. Becker requested the zoning commission relax the Carlyle street standards to the Clinton County standards. They want to extend the current Becker Lane and open up 17 more lots. Becker requested the width be 20 feet, which is county standard. Carlyle has authority over zoning a mile and a half outside of city limits, so anything that is built has to get the council approval.
The county said if the city didn't approve the variance, it won't go to the county. Carlyle ordinances say new subdivisions have to have concrete roads, curb and gutter. Becker said they are going to oil and chip the road three layers.Hunter Osborne is sworn in by clerk Rita Jurgensmeyer as a new officer for the Carlyle Police Department. Photo by Matt Wilson
Only one Carlyle Zoning Board member disapproved of the variance. As long as the road was oil and chipped and maintained by the county, the zoning board approved the variance.
The variance will now go to the Clinton County Board.
Before the county accepts the road, they are going to make sure it is done to county specifications. Once the county accepts the variance, they will have the responsibility of maintaining the road.
April 20-24 has been designated for leaf and brush pickup. Residents are asked to remain patient because city employees are working on a big project on Lake Vista Drive.
May 1-2 is the city-wide yard sales. May 6-8 will be clean-up week. The gates will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. On May 9, the gates will open from 8 a.m. to noon. Gates could be open a little later on May 9.
Myers commended all of the work currently going on at Lake Vista Drive. On April 9, city workers poured 116 yards of concrete.
"It was amazing to watch," Smith said. "They had at least 17 guys there knee deep in concrete, striping it off and finishing. It was impressive. This is the first time where we have had an occasion where a contractor asked to work with the city crew. They are doing a fantastic job out there."
Myers said to be patient on the leaf and limb pickup.
Smith read a proclamation making April Child Abuse Prevention Month.
"I was in education for 37 years and during that 37 years I don't know how many kids that went through my classrooms," Smith said. "I can tell you that one of the most heartbreaking situations is when you have a child eight hours a day with you and you don't want that child to go home. To me, this is very near and dear to my heart. There are far more children out there than there should be who live in abusive relationships. The more we can do to get them to a safer environment, the better off it is for us in the long run."
The council approved a fireworks partnership where they would provide $10,000 for the fireworks; approved a $20,000 commitment with Discover Downstate Illinois for Fiscal Year 2027; approved a Clinton County parade resolution where they would close roads for the Clinton County Fair Parade from 6 to 9 p.m. on July 13; and approved moving the first July City Council meeting to Tuesday, July 14.
The council approved the purchase of a skid steer. Myers said when he was hired four years ago, one of the things he was asked to purchase was a track wheeled skid steer. The skid steer comes with two buckets, forks, and a harley rake. The original price was $76,600. The company will be giving the city $26,000 for one of their New Holland tractors. With warranty, the price of the skid steer is $61,300.
"It is a fantastic machine and can turn on a dime," Smith said. "We have looked for one of these for a very long time. The one we have now is not an enclosed cab, so when those guys are in it, they have dust flying back on them. I wanted to get them in something that provides a little bit of respiratory care for them."
The council approved an ordinance to purchase property on 811 Methodist Street. The city has been trying to find land to build a new maintenance bay and storage facility. They have reached a deal to purchase the land for $100,000. They will be using TIF funds to purchase the land. It will be an all-department shed.
"We need a decent building that every department can have space in," Smith said. "This property will provide the room we need to build a shed that can house almost everything we need."
The next Carlyle City Council meeting is Monday, April 27, at Case-Halstead Public Library.
