City of Mount Carmel City Council met Dec. 17.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Invocation was given by Becky Reeves.
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 Police Chief John Lockhart, who was in attendance to commend as well as show appreciation to Sargent Eddie Johnson and Canine Officer Daniel Hopper for their outstanding efforts and hard work.
Mayor Hudson acknowledged Dan Schonert, who graciously presented to the council a donation of $1800.00 for the WC Cafeteria and Senior Center, which was from the proceeds of the Kiwanis raffle that was held in November. Mr. Schonert stated the raffle prize was a week’s vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida and it was donated by his brother in appreciation of the generosity of the citizens of Mount Carmel when his home was flooded during Hurricane Harvey in August 2017. Mr. Schonert thanked everyone who purchased a raffle ticket and also thanked everyone who donated to his brother originally.
Mayor Hudson acknowledged John Evans with B&D Independence, who was in attendance to seek approval from the council to provide the option to purchase the five-acre tract of land adjacent to B&D Independence, if the necessity for further expansion should arise. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the five-year property option agreement is contained within the consent agreement. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated B&D Independence is located in the new TIF area, which will be beneficial as incentives can be provided if the company decides on further expansion.
Mayor Hudson acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Witsman, who gave a presentation regarding a tentative agreement between the City of Mount Carmel and West Berwick Management concerning the city’s golf course. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated West Berwick would manage and maintain the course while the city will continue to own the property. City Administrative Assistant Witsman emphasized the golf course will remain “public” and will also be a “not for profit” venue. West Berwick Management has agreed to make capital improvements to the course at no cost to the city and the 2019 golf fees will remain in line with the 2018 fees. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the golf course has been a valuable asset for the city for years and this commitment by the management group will be a wonderful thing for the community as well as the golf course. Mayor Hudson acknowledged West Berwick Management Representative Doug McPherson, who stated West Berwick is very excited to hopefully enter into this agreement with the city and to make the slated improvements. Mayor Hudson voiced concerns regarding employment of the two full time city employees at the golf course. City Administrative Assistant Witsman explained West Berwick Management will be in negotiations with the two individuals in anticipation of them continuing their services as employees of the management group. Mayor Hudson thanked West Berwick for all the work they have done to the golf course prior to this agreement. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated currently there is a preliminary agreement with West Berwick Management and asked council to proceed with finalizing the agreement, which would then be presented at the next council meeting for approval.
Mayor Hudson stated, on behalf of the City of Mount Carmel, he wishes to publicly acknowledge Jay Purvis on his retirement and on all the work he has done in the past thirteen years in promoting as well as upgrading Wabash General Hospital. Mayor Hudson emphasized Jay will be greatly missed however, Karissa Turner will continue to promote the hospital as his replacement. Mayor Hudson thanked Jay for all the work he has done for the hospital as well as the City of Mount Carmel.
Mayor Hudson reported Shawn Storckman was chosen as the Bicentennial Committee Chairman because he helped organize the Evansville, Indiana Bicentennial Celebration approximately four years prior. Mayor Hudson thanked Shawn as well as fellow committee members Terry Beckerman, Lesley Hipsher, Sheryl Childers and Lindsey Schmucker for all the work that was done to commemorate the 2018 Bicentennial Year. Mayor Hudson stated the sponsors of the Bicentennial Celebrations will be announced and properly thanked at the beginning of the coming new year as a bicentennial booklet will be available at that time.
Mayor Hudson reported the Villas of Holly Brook is progressing nicely even though the rainy weather has been a deterrent.
Mayor Hudson stated on behalf of the council, he wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Ikemire reported in the last two weeks the street department cleaned intakes; mulched leaves in the city parks; vacuumed leaves that residents had paid to have picked up; worked on streets that had flooded areas after the heavy rains; patched potholes; serviced mowing equipment; installed the solar powered stop signs at College Drive and Park Road for the north/south traffic; performed equipment maintenance.
Commissioner Ikemire wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
COMMISSIONER JOE JUDGE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials. Commissioner Judge reported the city’s finances are doing well and the city is paying its bills.
Commissioner Judge thanked Keith Schonert for his donation of the condo stay in Panama City Beach, Florida as well as the Kiwanis Club for generously selecting the WC Cafeteria and Senior Center to receive the proceeds from that raffle.
Commissioner Judge stated he has not received any announcements as of yet on the various grant applications.
Commissioner Judge wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar stated he met with City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman, Water Treatment Plant Lead Operator Keith Reed, Water/Sewer Maintenance Lead Operator Bill Reed and Tracy Swanson of Keys Hill Engineering concerning the location site of the new water treatment plant. Commissioner Dulgar announced the selected site will be between Poplar Street and Walnut Street located behind the fire department and the water maintenance building, which is city owned property. Commissioner Dulgar stated this is step one of the decisions that have to be made to move forward with the reports that need to be submitted Rural Development and the EPA for review. Commissioner Dulgar reported after the review process, the city will then be notified of the funding and grant options that are available. Commissioner Dulgar stated at that point the council may then decide if it wishes to move forward with the building of a new water treatment facility.
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated construction is ongoing at the wastewater plant and should be completed in the next few months.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water treatment plant is operating well and Lead Operator Keith Reed has submitted the EPA required water samples. Commissioner Dulgar affirmed all water and sewer departments are operating well.
Commissioner Dulgar wished all a Safe and Happy Merry Christmas.
COMMISSIONER ROD RODRIGUEZ – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Rodriguez reported in the last two weeks the fire department had fourteen runs.
Commissioner Rodriguez announced tomorrow evening, December 18th, will be the Shop with a Cop/Fireman Event at Shopko. Commissioner Rodriguez expressed appreciation to everyone who helps make the event a great success.
Commissioner Rodriguez also wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated no other petitions have been picked for mayor or commissioner. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported three candidates filed their petitions for city commissioner at 8:00 am on Monday, December 10th and two mayoral candidates also filed at 8:00 am, which mandates a lottery drawing to determine the candidate positions on the voting ballot. City Administrative Assistant Witsman announced the “drawing” will be held on Friday, December 28th at 10:00 am at city hall and the public is welcome to attend.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman announced city hall will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the brush harbor also being closed this Saturday, December 22nd in observance of the holiday.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the next council meeting will be on December 31st at 1:00 pm.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported bid packets for the cemetery mowing may be picked up at city hall and the bids must be returned by 3:00 pm on January 14th, 2019, which will be the first scheduled council meeting for the new year. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the bids will be opened at that council meeting.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated several items are contained within the consent agenda; the first item being the second reading of the tax levy ordinance, with the total levy amount being $1,172,011.00; the second item being Resolution 651 regarding TIF2, which expires at the end of 2018 and includes obligating the remaining TIF funds; the land option agreement with B&D Independence; and a TIF agreement proposal with Dean Kieffer of Kieffer Development to build additional student housing adjacent to their current housing near Wabash Valley College. City Administrative Assistant Witsman acknowledged Commissioner Rodriguez, who stated he serves on the board of the Wabash Valley College Foundation and the student housing that Kieffer Development provided has helped to increase the enrollment of the college. Commissioner Rodriguez encouraged the council to approve the building of additional housing as it will be a strong asset to the college.
CITY ATTORNEY – KELLI STORCKMAN
City Attorney Storckman no report.
CITY INSPECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
City Inspector Gidcumb absent.
STREET DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENT – DAVE EASTER
Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter no report.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Frances Speth no report.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Dulgar motioned Commissioner Judge seconded to approve the authorization to enter into an agreement with West Berwick Management to manage the Mount Carmel Public Golf Course. Those voting Aye by Voice Vote were Commissioners Rodriguez, Dulgar, Judge and Mayor Hudson. Commissioner Ikemire abstained because he also is a member of West Berwick.
Mayor Hudson and the Council approved the Consent Agenda, as presented in the agenda dated December 17th, 2018. The consent agenda included approval of Tax Ordinance 2004; approval Resolution 651, Payment of Redevelopment Project Costs and Obligations; approval of the Option Agreement with Evans and Marcum; approval of the TIF agreement with Dean Kieffer and Kieffer Development; approval of the minutes for the council meeting held on December 3rd, 2018 and approval of paying all bills bearing the proper signatures.
Meeting adjourned 5:33 p.m.
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