City of Mount Carmel City Council met May 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor Judge brought the City Council meeting to order.
Present on Roll Call: Mayor Joe Judge Commissioners - Tom Meeks, Eric Ikemire, Justin Dulgar, Chandler Madden
Also, Present: City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman and two members of the news media.
Due to the governor’s executive order regarding COVID-19 attendance was limited.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Judge requested a motion to approve the minutes of the last council meeting.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on May 4th, 2020. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge recognized all the 2020 graduates in Mount Carmel and Wabash County. Mayor Judge congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments and stated the adversity that each one has experienced has certainly made each graduate stronger. Mayor Judge affirmed the residents of Mount Carmel along with the entire State of Illinois are standing with the graduates and stated the graduates are much more than the leaders of tomorrow but leaders of today. Mayor Judge further stated the great way the graduates have adapted to the current situation reflects the kind of individuals they are. Mayor Judge emphasized he looks forward to having the “in person” graduation in August.
Mayor Judge stated the opening of the city pool is still uncertain at this time even though the city has received its operational permit, but has not received clearance from the State of Illinois to actually open the pool. Mayor Judge reported the city is anxiously waiting for the state to give the clearance and at that time in point a determination will be made to open the pool this year or not.
Mayor Judge reported the 4th of July fireworks have not been cancelled as of yet and the city will do everything in its’ power to have the event this year but it could be different than in years’ past. Mayor Judge stated that determination will also be made once the state says what can or cannot take place during that time frame.
Mayor Judge stated the Pickleball courts should be completed within the next few weeks. Mayor Judge thanked Rick Andrews and all the Pickleball members as well as anyone who has helped make the courts possible. Mayor Judge reported the courts are coming together nicely and will be a huge asset to the community.
Mayor Judge reported the flooding over the weekend due to the heavy rains was everywhere and stated he has been working with Commissioner Meeks along with Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter on the flooding issues. Mayor Judge reported he contacted the Wabash County Soil and Water Conservation District; in turn he was told to contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Mayor Judge stated he did contact the Illinois DNR and has now requested a watershed study for all the creeks that attach to the Greathouse Creek Basin and that creek itself. Mayor Judge anticipates getting some resolution from all the flooding issues, however when receiving four inches of rain within two to three hours, flooding issues will unfortunately still occur.
Mayor Judge wished all city employees a great Memorial Day Weekend. Mayor Judge stated city hall will be closed Monday, May 25th in observance of the holiday and the city’s dump site/brush harbor will be closed Saturday, May 23rd as well as Monday, May 25th.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reiterated Mayor Judge’s comments regarding the flooding and stated the city cannot financially build a system that can handle all the flooding that occurred over the weekend. Commissioner Meeks reported the street department barricaded the flooded streets as a safety precaution. Commissioner Meeks asked citizens to please check the storm sewer drains by their residences and to clean the drains periodically to help with flooding issues. Commissioner Meeks acknowledged Mayor Judge who stated residents need to keep their yards clean as the flooding issues this time mainly occurred because of debris floating from yards and in turn clogging the storm drains. City Administrative Assistant Witsman interjected to ask residents to please do not blow grass into the streets and it also plugs the storm drains.
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department mowed with the arm mower; performed yard abatements; mowed city parks and properties; cleaned up limbs and branches that blew down during recent storms; painted crosswalks on city streets; repaired storm sewer drains; repaired oil leak on one of the tractors; repaired areas in streets the water maintenance department had to dig up to repair water leaks; put up and then took down barricades in the flooded streets.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire stated the city did receive some state income tax and sales tax revenues for a few previous months, which were not impacted as of yet by the reduction of the sales tax from the shut down due to COVID 19.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported, at the June 1st council meeting, the proposed new water treatment plant will be discussed and the possibility of moving forward with the project. Commissioner Dulgar stated the representatives from Donahue and Three I Design will be at the meeting to address any questions. Commissioner Dulgar emphasized the meeting is open to the public and will be held inside city hall or possibly outside of city hall depending on the State of Illinois COVID 19 restrictions.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water treatment plant will be cleaning the clarifiers as part of the routine maintenance and Kieffer Lumber will be onsite at the plant repairing a broken window.
Commissioner Dulgar reported Kieffer Brothers Construction is onsite at the waste water plant making huge progress with the anaerobic digester project. Commissioner Dulgar stated Hydromax has reached out to City Administrative Assistant Witsman and they will be performing approximately eight thousand linear feet of camera work in the sewer system. Commissioner Dulgar reported Hydromax will be trying to determine how the infiltration of some storm water is getting into the sewer mains. Commissioner Dulgar reiterated this has been an ongoing issue and is in hopes this will help to alleviate some of that problems with the sewer system.
COMMISSIONER CHANDLER MADDEN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Madden reported in the last two weeks the fire department responded to twelve runs. Commissioner Madden stated the fire department has been busy today washing down streets that were closed after the heavy rains. Commissioner Madden reported the fire department started with Oak Meadows Subdivision and worked towards locations near the golf course where mud had covered the streets.
Commissioner Madden stressed residents should check their properties to make sure there is no standing water in trash cans, old tires, bird baths or anywhere else which will attract mosquitos. Commissioner Madden stated mosquito spraying has started for the season.
Commissioner Madden thanked everyone for their cooperation during the Spring Clean-Up/Fix-Up week as there were few complaints. Commissioner Madden reminded residents to put all trash in their totes as Republic Services will not pick up items beside the trash totes, due to COVID 19 restrictions.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated City Hall and all city offices will be closed Monday, May 25th in observance of the Memorial Day Holiday.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported a public hearing is scheduled to be held on May 27th at 4:00 pm at city hall. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the hearing is in regard to the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported he has received one application so far from Shriji Maharaj Hospitality LLC and the city is required to hold a public hearing for each of the applications. City Administrative Assistant Witsman explained the application is for working capital funds; an application form is required to be filled out; a public hearing is required to be held on the application; and the monies will be funneled through the city in a special account set up for the businesses that are selected for the program. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the grant amount is up to $25,000.00 and stated if any other businesses would like to make application to please step forward as the city would like to consolidate the applications into one public hearing, if possible. City Administrative Assistant Witsman added he had just received a second application at the end of the business day, today.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported a bid letting was held this morning for the chip/seal program and the winning bidder was Mount Carmel Stabilization Group in the amount of $82,742.00. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated monies for the chip/seal of city streets come from the MFT funds and the city has received approval from the State of Illinois for this year’s program. City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked the council for a motion to approve the bid.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked for direction from the council regarding the time of the council meetings beginning in June, whether to stay at the 4:00 pm start time or to go back to the 5:00 pm start time. After a brief discussion and a request from Commissioner Dulgar, the council decided the June 1st will be held at 5:00 pm and the remaining meetings in June will be held at 4:00 pm.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated within the consent agenda is Resolution 663, authorizing TIF funds for RDUB Investments (Subway). City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the intent of the owners of Subway is to demolish the vacant section of the building and build a new restaurant in that section, while continuing to operate in the existing location. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the city will provide $15,000.00 for the demolition that is to be done at the facility.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to accept the bid from Mount Carmel Stabilization Group, in the amount of $82,742.00, to furnish labor and material to chip/seal streets in Mount Carmel. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included approval of Resolution 663 – authorizing TIF agreement with RDUB Investments (Subway) and approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 4:18 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/8489/05-18-20_minutes.pdf
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