Centralia Awards and Recognition

Administration

2009 Grants Received:

• Economic Development & Administration  American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Grant and an Illinois Department of Transportation Truck Access Route Program (TARP) Grant in the sum of $4.2 million for the Wabash & East 17th Street Road and Drainage Improvement
• Illinois Jobs Now!Grant for Airport Road & Calumet Street in the sum of $5.6 million. 

Chamber of Commerce Partners in Progress Award for 2009

ICMA Program Excellence Award for Community Sustainability.  An award given to only two local governments in the nation that recognizes the innovative local government programs or processes that demonstrate creativity in balancing that community's social, economic, environmental, and cultural needs. - 2008


Centralia Mayor Rebecca Ault receives the Woman of Excellence award from  Deputy State Treasurer Raja Krishnamoorthi

Woman of Excellence Award.  The Woman of Excellence Award was presented to Mayor Rebecca Ault at the Smart Women Smart Money Symposium April 10, 2008 by Illinois Deputy State Treasurer Raja Krishnamoorthi .  The award honors a woman who has broken through the "glass ceiling" to achieve a high-level position in the financial world, or has, through her accomplishments, inspired and empowered other women to pursue financial careers, and has been a strong advocate for financial literacy in her community.

International City Managers' Association Center for Performance Measurements (CPM) Certificate of Achievement. Certificate received in 2009, recognizing excellence in:
 - Reporting of performance data to the public through budgets, newsletters and/or information provided to elected officials
 - Verification efforts to ensure the data's reliability
 - Staff training in the principles of performance measurement

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.  Award given for excellence in budget preparation, also receiving the following special recognition awards for 2009:
 - Special Performance Measure Recognition

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.  Award given for excellence in budget preparation, also receiving the following special recognition awards for 2008:
 - Outstanding as a Policy Document
 - Outstanding as an Operations Guide
 - Special Capital Recognition
 - Special Performance Measures Recognition

Distinguished Budget Presentation Award.  Award given for excellence in budget preparation. – 2007

Balloon Fest Major Sponsor. - 2007, 2008, 2009

1st Place in the Habitat for Humanity Trivia Tournament.  A team of 4 City employees won the event, held as a fundraiser to benefit Habitat for Humanity. - 2006

2nd Place in the Kaskaskia College Reading Link Spelling Bee.  A team of 4 City employees won the event, held as a fundraiser to benefit KC Reading Link. - 2006

Community Development

Elks National Foundation 2009 Community Impact Grant ($10,000) for stage curtains inside the Illinois Theatre. - 2008

CDAP Housing Rehabilitation Grant ($248,500 + $63,000 IHDA). Grant funding received by the State for housing rehabilitation.  Target area is the 400-600 blocks of North Locust. – 2008

Balloon Fest Major Sponsor - Tourism Commission. - 2007, 2008, 2009

Governor’s Home Town Award.  Award given for outstanding volunteerism in the community.

 – 2008 for Spring 2007 City-wide Cleanup with Clean & Green with over 1,800 volunteers.

 – 2006 for Spring 2005 fundraising and construction of the Centralia Skate Park.

CDAP Housing Rehabilitation Grant ($284,880 + $63,000 IHDA). Grant funding received by the State for housing rehabilitation.  Target area was the 900 and 1000 blocks of South Maple. – 2006

Monsanto Fund Grant ($10,000). Grant awarded for seating at the Pittenger Memorial Band Shell. – 2006

Illinois Tourism Bureau Tourism Attraction Program ($154,000). Provided by the State for the restoration of the Illinois Theater. – 2006

Tony Hawk Foundation (donated items).  The Foundation is dedicated to developing public Skateboard Parks.  They donated shirts and skateboards to be sold or auctioned to raise money.  Several hundred dollard were raised. - 2005

Funding Currently Applied For:

DNR Boat Access and Development (BAAD) - for inprovements to the boat ramp and dock at Raccoon Lake.

DNR Recreational Trails Program (RTP) - for the installation of a 1/2-mile paved walking track within Fairview Park.

Water

CDAP Emergency Set-Aside Grant ($100,000) for stormwater improvements identified after major flooding in the Spring of 2008.

Fluoridation Award. Awarded by the State for perfect compliance of fluoride concentration in our drinking water. (22^nd year in a row. One of only two cities in Illinois receiving the award for this long). – 2007

EDA Grant ($2,300,000). Funding provided by the Federal Government for the Raw Water Line project. – 2003-2007

CDAP Public Facilities Grant ($350,000) for water line improvements on East McCord which made possible the construciton of the Heritage Woods Supportive Living Facility, and the relocation of Bryan Manor. - 2006-2007

CDAP Public Faciliites Grant ($350,000) for new sewer line serving the northwest neighborhoods in Centralia (College Ave.) - 2007-2008

Recreation

National Recognition by the NYSCA (National Youth Sport’s Coaches Association). Recognition for work done in training/certifying our coaches.

Cardinal Care Grant in the amount of $3,000 awarded to the Centralia Rotary Club Foundation for construction expenses of the remaining three concrete pads to finish the bleacher upgrade to Potary Park (applied for by City Staff).

Treasurer

C.I.M.T. (Certified Illinois Municipal Treasurer) designation. Re-certification takes place every five years. - 2007

Police

CY Pres Grant ($27,000).  Funds were used to buy radio relay equipment for the high school with is in the process of being installed and tested right now.  - 2008

CEDAP ($18,000).  Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program - A program sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security which provides pieces of unique and expensive equipment to departments for use.  Examples include specialized software, surveillance equipment and infra-red detection devices.  -2008

IDOT IMAGE Grant ($21,000).  Federally sponsored State Grant which reimburses departments the cost of overtime to conduct traffic patrols enforcing those violations which contribute most to traffic crashes and injuries. – 2006 & 2007

Illinois Liquor Commission Grant ($3,500). Funds supplied by the Illinois Liquor Commission to allow for the periodic inspection of licensed tobacco retailers to ensure that under age minors do not have access to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products. – 2006 & 2007 

Marion Co. Housing Authority Agreement ($22,000). A percentage of the cost of an additional officer who devotes a prescribed amount of time to manning the MCH Sub-Station and working with Housing to screen and deal specifically with residents. – 2007 ($40,000 received in 2006)

Recognition by the NAACP. Department received award from local NAACP Chapter recognizing the contribution to the community of the Shop with a Cop Program.  Plaque hangs in front lobby. 

Shop with a Cop ($18,000). The police department will once again raise funding for the Shop with a Cop program and spend nearly $18,000 on disadvantaged children in the surrounding area.  Last year the program provided for 165 children and it should grow to at least 180 in 07.