City of Mount Carmel City Council met August 13.
Here is the minutes as 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
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Hudson brought the city council meeting to order.
Mayor Hudson acknowledged Wabash General Hospital CEO Jay Purvis, who was in attendance to discuss a referendum that will be placed on the voting ballet in the November, 2018 election. Mr. Purvis stated Wabash General Hospital is continuing to grow and the referendum will allow for the establishment of hospital related facilities to be located outside the current hospital district. Mr. Purvis explained the proposed referendum does not require the levy of any additional tax or expense for Wabash County residents or the hospital district residents. Mr. Purvis asked for council support in helping to promote the referendum, as it is beneficial to the continued growth of Wabash General Hospital as well as being a proactive move for the community.
Mayor Hudson announced Empire Street will be closed Monday, August 20th through Thursday, August 23rd for railroad crossing repairs.
Mayor Hudson thanked the Kiwanis’ Club for weed eating around the pond at the City Park and stated their efforts are greatly appreciated.
Mayor Hudson welcomed newly appointed Wabash Community School District #348 Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer and reminded that school starts on Wednesday, August 15th. Mayor Hudson asked residents to look out for the school children especially around the school areas.
Mayor Hudson reported the Holly Brook development site is coming along very quickly, as the weather has been cooperating.
Mayor Hudson announced the dog swim will be held from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm tonight at the city swimming pool. Mayor Hudson stated the pool will be closed and drained Tuesday, August 14th Mayor Hudson thanked everyone for patronizing the pool this summer.
Mayor Hudson congratulated City Attorney Kelli Storckman on the birth of her son and stated she will be absent from this council meeting as well as the next scheduled meeting.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Ikemire reported in the last two weeks the street department mowed the parks, ballparks and the levee; performed yard abatements; finished patching holes and sweeping the streets in preparation of the oil/chip project; trimmed low lying limbs along those same streets; cut down a few trees near the high school on city property; hauled the items used for Ag Days and cleaned up after the event; replaced tires on some equipment; and performed repairs on additional equipment.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the oil/chip process of the streets will be Tuesday, August 14th and also Wednesday, August 15th. Commissioner Ikemire stated the scheduled begin date had to be pushed back one day due to unforeseen circumstances. Commissioner Ikemire stated Market Street from Third to Railroad will be asphalted on Thursday, August 16th and Friday, August 17th Commissioner Ikemire stated all the work is scheduled due to the weather permitting.
Commissioner Ikemire thanked the Kiwanis Club for the work performed on the city pond near Park Road and also thanked the Mount Carmel Stabilization Group for the repair work on the section of road in that same area.
COMMISSIONER JOE JUDGE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Judge reported the city’s tax receipt income is better than expected and the city’s overall economy is better, as well. Commissioner Judge stated he appreciates everyone’s help with that especially by buying local.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported a sanitary sewer grant application has been started for the area of West Seventh Street to West Third Street along Division Street to the wastewater treatment plant. Commissioner Dulgar stated the sanitary sewer lines are being videoed at this time to determine if full replacement of the lines will be required or if that area of the sewer mains can be “lined”.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the Illinois EPA has determined the cost to fix the wastewater treatment plant’s digestor can be incorporated into the loan for the outfall project and the aeration project. Commissioner Dulgar reported an unforeseen issue with the digestor arose after the outfall and aeration projects bids were awarded. Commissioner Dulgar reiterated theses projects are “must” upgrades as the outfall and aeration projects are mandated by the Illinois EPA and the digestor replacement has to be performed to allow for a fully operational wastewater system.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the last of the required EPA water samples from the water treatment plant have been collected; two of the water wells’ level sensors and one flow meter malfunctioned with the repairs being made; and the West Third Street water tower maintenance work is ongoing. Commissioner Dulgar stated it was discovered during the maintenance work that the riser in the middle of the West Third Street water tower is bad and needs to be replaced, the cost is $132.000, which can be paid for over the next two years without having to increase the water rates. Commissioner Dulgar asked for everyone’s patience as the water tower maintenance work continues.
COMMISSIONER ROD RODRIGUEZ – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Rodriguez reported in the last two weeks the fire department had eleven runs.
Commissioner Rodriguez reiterated school will be starting this week; please watch out for the children and drive carefully in the school zones.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated the mosquito spraying is still ongoing.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated in June the prevailing wage ordinance was passed using the Department of Labor Rates for the month of September, 2017. City Administrative Assistant stated he was notified by the department that the new wage rate will be available August 15th. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported those rates will be available through the Department of Labor and also at city hall for anyone needing the current amounts.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman emphasized the much-needed safety of the school children and reminded residents to please stop when a school bus is stopped with its “stop” arm out. City Administrative Witsman stressed to drivers to please be cautious and to watch out for the school children.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked for a special request of thoughts and prayers for Police Chief John Lockhart. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated John is having a tough time with his battle against cancer.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported three resolutions are included within the consent agenda; a fair housing resolution, a resolution showing the support and commitment of local funds regarding the Oak Street Sidewalk Project and a resolution committing the funds for the wastewater plant digestor work. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated the city has a commitment of a loan agreement with the Illinois EPA for the aeration project and the outfall lines project at the wastewater plant. City Administrative Witsman stated the Illinois EPA has authorized the plant’s digestor work to be added to that loan agreement, however because of the added monies, an ordinance which is contained in the consent agenda, has to be approved authorizing the loan. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the EPA suggested the loan amount be increased to $3.5 million and while the city is not anticipating spending that much, there will be more funds already available. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated also within the consent agenda is the approval of the AEA funding commitment of $3000.00 for the year and approval for fundraising on the designated street corners by the Knights of Columbus.
CITY ATTORNEY – KELLI STORCKMAN
City Attorney Storckman absent.
CITY INSPECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
City Inspector Gidcumb absent.
STREET DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENT – DAVE EASTER
Street Department Superintendent Easter reported the seal coating that is placed on the top of the oil/chipped streets is scheduled for Wednesday, August 22nd and Thursday, August 23rd.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth no report.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Mayor Hudson and the Council approved the Consent Agenda, as presented in the agenda dated August 13th, 2018. The consent agenda includes Resolution R-645, Fair Housing Resolution (GRWRPC); Resolution R-646, Resolution of Support and Commitment of Local Funds (Oak Street Sidewalk); R-647, Resolution of Commitment of Funds for Digestor Work; approval of Ordinance 1097 – an ordinance authorizing loan agreement with Illinois IPA; approval of commitment of $3000.00 to AEA; approval of Knights of Columbus – fund raising on street corners; approval of the minutes for the council meeting held on July 30th, 2018 and approval of paying all bills bearing the proper signatures.
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