City of Mount Carmel City Council met Sept. 27.
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 and City Inspector Mike Gidcumb.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Hudson brought the city council meeting to order.
Mayor Hudson stated school has started and asked residents to take extra care while driving around all the school areas. Mayor Hudson emphasized citizens must please stop behind the school busses when they are stopped. Mayor Hudson reminded that texting and talking on the phone are against the law.
Mayor Hudson reported the chip/seal and fog seal of the city streets should be completed this week, weather permitting.
Mayor Hudson congratulated all the winners this past week at the grade school, high school and college levels for their athletic abilities.
Mayor Hudson stated its has been great to see all the cars, especially the out of state ones, parked along Market Street as that means the merchants are selling their wares and people are coming from Indiana to make their purchases. Mayor Hudson thanked the merchants for putting on sales at their businesses and thanked area residents for shopping locally.
Mayor Hudson announced city hall will be closed on Monday, September 3rd for the Labor Day Holiday.
Mayor Hudson stated donations are still being accepted for the plaque that is to be placed near the bell, which is currently located at the Merchants Park and which is on loan to the city from the United States Navy.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Ikemire reported in the last two weeks the street department cleaned intakes; mowed the parks and city properties; performed oil/chip on the city streets; swept the streets to remove any loose rock after the oil/chip; burned the brush pile at the brush harbor; repaired handrails in the five- hundred block of Market Street; patched potholes throughout the city; performed yard abatements; performed repairs and maintenance on equipment; and completed the asphalt work along Market Street in front of city hall. Commissioner Ikemire reminded residents to please keep their yards mowed so the city doesn’t have to mow for them.
COMMISSIONER JOE JUDGE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Judge reported the audit for the last year’s fiscal budget should be completed within the next two weeks.
Commissioner Judge stated approximately $10,000.00 had been budgeted this fiscal year for a new food delivery vehicle for the Wabash County Senior Citizens Center Meals on Wheels Program.
Commissioner Judge announced he has located a “hotshot” delivery vehicle in Michigan for $13,500.00 and is requesting council approval for the additional $3500.00 to purchase the vehicle. Commissioner Judge is anticipating receiving $3500.00 in grant monies in the near future to offset the expenditure and stated with the purchase of this vehicle the center can deliver more meals out in the county, which in turn will result in more monies from the federal and state government for the service.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated the Third Street Water Tower maintenance work is still ongoing and is in hopes the work will be completed within the next four to six weeks.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the outfall project work at the wastewater plant has started, which is one of the three projects to be performed at the plant. Commissioner Dulgar reiterated the outfall project is the new discharge line from the wastewater plant to the river, which is being placed in a different location; the second project, which is the aeration project, should be starting soon; and the third project, which was unexpected, is the digestor project. Commissioner Dulgar asked residents to please bear with the city until the digestor can be repaired, as there is an unpleasant odor near the wastewater plant and stated the EPA is aware of the situation.
COMMISSIONER ROD RODRIGUEZ – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Rodriguez reported in the last two weeks the fire department had seven runs and a representative from the ambulance service conducted training on EMT laws and regulations. Commissioner Rodriguez stated the fire department has four qualified EMT personnel and eight qualified first responder personnel.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated the trash pick up service will be running a day late next week due to the Labor Day Holiday on Monday, September 3rd.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported within the consent agenda is Ordinance 1098 – setting the date for the public hearing regarding the “planned for” TIF, which will hopefully be presented and endorsed after the first of next year. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the public hearing will be at 4:30 pm on Monday, October 22nd at city hall, which is part of the requirements for the proposed TIF.
CITY ATTORNEY – KELLI STORCKMAN
City Attorney Storckman absent.
CITY INSPECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
City Inspector Gidcumb presented to the council for approval a special use permit that had already been presented to and passed by the zoning board. City Inspector Gidcumb stated the permit is for the addition of ten lots at Pat Merriel’s RV Park. City Inspector Gidcumb acknowledged Mr. Merriel by asking if any permanent residences were to be established at the RV Park. Mr. Merriel confirmed that were no permanent residences allowed. City Inspector Gidcumb reported Water Maintenance Lead Operator Bill Reed requested an additional water tap from a separate 4-inch main be put in to supply the water, if the special use was approved. City Inspector Gidcumb verified the cost of the water tap will be paid for by Mr. Merriel. Mayor Hudson asked City Inspector Gidcumb, for the benefit of the public, to explain the difference between a RV Park and a Mobile Home Park. City Inspector Gidcumb stated a RV Park contains non-permanent residences. After discussing Mr. Merriel’s request, the council voted to approve the zoning board’s recommendation for the special use permit.
STREET DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENT – DAVE EASTER
Street Department Superintendent Easter reported the fog sealing of the streets that had previously been oiled and chipped is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, August 28th and asked residents in those areas to please have their vehicles moved off the streets.
Street Department Superintendent stated the yard waste facility will be closed Saturday, September 1st and Monday, September 3rd in observance of the Labor Day Holiday, however it will be open on Tuesday, September 4th to accommodate the holiday closings.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth no report.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Rodriguez seconded to approve the purchase for the Senior Citizens for a delivery vehicle for the Meals on Wheels Program. The purchase price is $13,500.00 All present voted Aye by roll call vote.
Commissioner Judge motioned and Commissioner Rodriguez seconded to approve the recommendation of the Zoning Board regarding. All present voted Aye by roll call vote.
Mayor Hudson and the Council approved the Consent Agenda, as presented in the agenda dated August 27th, 2018. The consent agenda includes approval of Ordinance 1098 – Setting Date for Public Hearing regarding TIF VII; approval of the minutes for the council meeting held on August 13th, 2018 and approval of paying all bills bearing the proper signatures.
Meeting adjourned 5:23 p.m.
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