Budget adjustment sought by City Council

By Gus Bode

The Carbondale City Council will meet tonight at 7 p.m. to vote on several matters, including an ordinance that will make a budget adjustment to allow the demolition of the home where eight children died in a fire last year.

The city recently purchased the house at 424 E. Oak St. from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for $500.

Last August, a fire took the lives of eight children, ranging from 5 months to 7 years old, at the house. Camilla Foulks, mother of three of the children who died in the blaze, has since been charged with eight counts of involuntary manslaughter.

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The blaze is believed to have been caused by the children playing with a fire-starting apparatus.

Foulks allegedly was away from the house two hours before the fire was reported. She is scheduled to stand trial next month.

The council will vote tonight on an ordinance which calls for transferral of $2,500 from the city’s general funds to the Building and Neighborhood Services fund. The money will cover the costs of acquistion and demolition of the site.

The Council also will take action on funding for road improvements for Grand Avenue between Lewis Lane and Giant City Road and is scheduled to decide whether to approve two land sales on the northeast side of Carbondale.

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