City of Mount Carmel City Council met March 26.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Invocation was given by Reverend Tony Hodgson.
Present on Roll Call: Mayor Bill Hudson Commissioners – Eric Ikemire, Joe Judge,
Justin Dulgar, Rod Rodriguez
Also, Present: City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman, City Attorney Kelli Storckman
Mayor’s Comments:
Mayor Hudson brought the city council meeting to order.
Mayor Hudson acknowledged Wayne Walden, who complimented and thanked the City of Mount Carmel and the First Responders, on their quick response and professionalism on March 9th when he experienced a small electrical fire and smoke damage at his store, The Corner.
Mayor Hudson congratulated Wabash General Hospital, who placed first in their division in the Ragner Relay Event.
Mayor Hudson reminded residents the Spring Fix/Up – Clean/Up Week is April 2nd through April 6th Mayor Hudson reiterated the Mount Carmel Rotary Club is sponsoring a citywide clean-up day on Saturday, April 14th from 8:00 am to 11:00 am.
Mayor Hudson thanked the Mount Carmel Rotary Club for the pancake supper fundraising event on Thursday, March 22nd at the Wabash County Senior Citizens Center and for the donation of $1240.00 (plus) to the center.
Mayor Hudson asked citizens to please be careful along Park Road this coming Saturday, March 31st, especially between 9:30 am and 10:30 am, as the Kiwanis will be having its Easter Egg Hunt Event.
Mayor Hudson wished everyone a Happy Easter and announced that Easter Church Services will be happening throughout the community.
Mayor Hudson announced construction on the Holly Brook Development should be starting soon.
Mayor Hudson reported the Wabash Valley College Community Garden Group will be having a fundraising event at the local Pizza Hut on Tuesday, March 27th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Mayor Hudson stated ten percent of the sales will be donated back to the garden group.
Mayor Hudson stated local native, Tyra Buss is leading the way in the University of Indiana Women’s Basketball and he wished the team well in the WNIT Semi-Final tournament this Wednesday, March 28th with the game time beginning at 6:00 pm.
Commissioner Reports:
Commissioner Eric Ikemire – Streets, Cemeteries And Parks:
Commissioner Ikemire reported in the last two weeks the street department continued filling potholes in city roadways; worked on cleaning up stump grindings; performed maintenance on the arm mower; ran the street sweeper throughout the city; poured concrete at West Fourth and Division Streets after a water main break; cut and cleaned up a tree on East Seventh Street; and worked on getting the city parks ready for Spring.
Commissioner Joe Judge – Finance And Senior Citizens:
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Judge stated the Wabash County Senior Citizens Center would like to express its gratitude to the Mount Carmel Rotary Club and all the volunteers that helped with the pancake supper fundraiser. Commissioner Judge reported the center has received only $943.00, in the month of March, in funding from the Federal and State Governments. Commissioner Judge thanked McGee’s Body Shop for repairing the center’s van and for keeping the repair costs low. Commissioner Judge expressed much gratitude to the community for “stepping up” and helping with the center, otherwise it would possibly be shut down.
Commissioner Judge reported the new fiscal budget will be presented for approval at the April 23rd council meeting and the department heads along with the each of the commissioners will need to meet with City Comptroller Mick Mollenhauer to go over their individual budgets.
Commissioner Justin Dulgar – Water And Sewer:
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water maintenance department opened the flood gates and turned off the power to the pumps due to the receding river water; continued locating utilities for the fiber optics company; used backhoe to locate missing manhole; and assisted with the draining of the Risley Avenue Water Tower. Commissioner Dulgar stated the maintenance on the water tower will be ongoing for the next six to eight weeks and unfortunately, area residents may experience some low water pressure issues during that time.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the Church of Christ area lift station experienced a failure and repairs are being made; the wastewater plant’s #1 primary clarifier drive motor is experiencing failure and a replacement motor is on order.
Commissioner Rod Rodriguez – Fire, Health & Safety, Garbage, City Hall And Civil Defense:
Commissioner Rodriguez reported the fire department had eight runs in the last two weeks with a total of fourteen for the month of March and conducted training for potential new firefighters.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated April 2nd through April 6th is Spring Fix-Up/ Clean-Up Week. Commissioner Rodriguez reported Republic Services will not pick up tires, batteries, electronics, televisions, appliances or construction material, etc. Commissioner Rodriguez reminded residents if mattresses are put out for pick up they have to be completely covered with plastic. Commissioner Rodriguez emphasized if the items that residents put out are not picked up by Republic Services; it is their responsibility to dispose of those items properly themselves.
City Administrative Assistant – Rudy Witsman:
City Administrative Assistant Witsman presented to the council for their approval the final plat for the Holly Brook Development. Upon council approval, the plat will be recorded at the Wabash County Courthouse and ownership of the property may then be transferred to the developers.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported he had received two bids for the demolition of two properties; one located at 615 N. Cherry Street and one located at 201 S. Mulberry Street. City Administrative Assistant Witsman opened the bids in the presence of the council and presented them to the council for consideration.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the Mount Carmel Little League has requested approval to solicit funds as donations at the designated intersections on Saturday, May 12th.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported since the last council meeting, one of the outstanding loans in the revolving loan program has been paid off with seven outstanding loans remaining. City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked if the council wished to assume those outstanding loans and proceed with obtaining the monies in the Revolving Loan Fund Program through the State of Illinois, as was discussed at the previous council meeting.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated he has been working on revising a non-union city employee personnel policy that is outdated. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the policy was set up to mirror the union contract employees’ policy. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated the State of Illinois mandated that the city have a sexual harassment policy, which was passed by the council last year and he has included that in the revised policy. City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked the council to please review the revised policy and is in hopes to proceed at the next council meeting with enacting the new policy changes that are proposed.
City Attorney – Kelli Storckman:
City Attorney Storckman no report.
City Inspector – Mike Gidcumb:
City Inspector Gidcumb absent.
Business Motions:
Commissioner Ikemire motioned Commissioner Dulgar seconded to accept the revolving loans that are outstanding. The funds used to purchase the loans will come from the General Fund or Capital Improvement Fund. All present voted Aye by roll call vote.
Commissioner Judge motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the low bid for the demolition of the properties located at 615 N. Cherry Street and 201 S. Mulberry Street. Bid received for demolition:
Jeff Guisewite Inc 615 N. Cherry St. - $10,500
201 S. Mulberry St. - $4700
H & H 615 N. Cherry St. - $14,700
201 S. Mulberry St. - $4200
All present voted Aye by roll call vote.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Judge seconded to approve the final subdivision plat of Villa of Holly Brook. All present voted by roll call vote.
Mayor Hudson and the Council approved the Consent Agenda, as presented in the agenda dated March 26th, 2018. The consent agenda includes approval of the minutes for the council meeting held on March 12th, 2018 and approval of paying all bills bearing the proper signatures.
Meeting adjourned 5:25 p. m.
http://cityofmtcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/03-26-18.pdf
Alerts Sign-up