City of Mount Carmel City Council met Feb. 11.
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
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Hudson brought the city council meeting to order.
Mayor Hudson thanked the street department and the water department employees for being well prepared during all the weather-related disasters that have occurred this winter. Mayor Hudson thanked the police and fire departments for their assistance, as well.
Mayor Hudson reported the Holly Brook Development Site is still progressing despite all the weather conditions.
Mayor Hudson congratulated the four team members of the Mount Carmel High School Wrestling Team who will be competing at the state tournament.
Mayor Hudson announced the Tenth Annual Saint Mary’s Mardi Gras 5K/10K Walk-Run and Kids Fun Run Celebration will be held on Saturday, February 23rd. Mayor Hudson extended hopes and prayers to Melissa Strine’s son Blake as he is having some health issues and Melissa could not attend the council meeting to announce the Mardi Gras Celebration.
Mayor Hudson wished everyone “Happy Valentine’s Day”.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Ikemire thanked the street department as well as the other departments who assisted, for their hard work and efforts especially during the past two weeks with all the heavy rains and flood water. Commissioner Ikemire stated all the hard work by Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter and his employees is greatly appreciated.
Commissioner Ikemire reported in the last two weeks the street department cleaned intakes; worked on equipment in preparedness for the summer usage; filled sand bags and installed the flood closure wall at the South End of Mulberry Street; finished the fabrication work on the snow plow; and ran the street sweeper in efforts to clean the street guttering/curbing prior to all the flood waters from the recent heavy rains. Commissioner Ikemire reminded residents to please remove limbs and leaves from their yards, especially during expected heavy rains, to help prevent the debris from clogging the storm sewers.
COMMISSIONER JOE JUDGE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Judge reported Linda Snyder, who is the Regional Development Director for the Villas of Holly Brook, recently attended a Rotary Club meeting and discussed the process that was conducted to choose the City of Mount Carmel as a location site for the villas. Commissioner Judge stated the discussion at the Rotary Club meeting regarding the Villas of Holly Brook not only encompassed partnering with the city but also partnering with the community as a whole and was very encouraging and exciting. Commissioner Judge reported the Villas of Holly Brook will greatly assist with the further economic development of the City of Mount Carmel.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water maintenance department closed the levee gates and activated the pump stations due to the high river levels; responded to sewer backup issues; checked on a sink hole problem and met with property owners regarding water leaks.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water treatment plant has been operating well with no significant changes during the past two weeks. Commissioner Dulgar reported the facility has not received the report back from the recent EPA Inspection. Commissioner Dulgar reiterated this is a routine inspection that is conducted every four years.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the wastewater plant activated the Division Street flood pumping stations and is anticipating the completion of the aeration project within the next two months.
COMMISSIONER ROD RODRIGUEZ – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Rodriguez reported in the last two weeks the fire department had five runs and conducted hazmat training.
Commissioner Rodriguez announced the Bellmont Fire Department will holding its annual chili supper on Saturday, February 23rd beginning at 11:00 am.
Commissioner Rodriguez thanked Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter and his employees for keeping the city safe over the past four weeks during all various the weather conditions.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman announced a public hearing will be held on Monday, February 25th at 4:45pm, before the regularly scheduled council meeting in regard to the proposed sidewalk along Oak Street. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the State of Illinois had required additional information regarding the sidewalk area and the gathering of that information had taken longer than anticipated. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated because of the new year the State of Illinois is requiring that another public hearing be held.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported Area Economic Alliance Representative Craig Newman has made multiple contacts through phone calls and visits with various retail establishments in hopes of filling the soon to be empty Shopko Building. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated Mr. Newman has also contacted the owner of the building, which is not Shopko, to advise them of who has been contacted to establish a line of communication with all individuals involved.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the city is in negotiations with the county regarding the 911 dispatch agreement, which is due to expire on February 19th.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated within the consent agenda is a six-month contract extension until the dispatch negotiations can be completed. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated also within the consent agenda is the approval of the Saint Mary’s Mardi Gras 5K/10K Event on February 23rd. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported, lastly, within the consent agenda is the approval of façade grant applications that were submitted. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated the city will contribute up to $1000, per location.
CITY ATTORNEY – KELLI STORCKMAN
City Attorney Storckman absent.
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 emphasized to citizens to please turn around when driving if they happen upon flooded roads and to please not put themselves in jeopardy as well as the first responders trying to assist them.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Mayor Hudson and the Council approved the Consent Agenda, as presented in the agenda dated February 11, 2019. The consent agenda included approval of the Mardi Gras 5K on February 23rd; approval of the City/County Dispatch Agreement Extension; approval of the Façade Applications for White Land and Minerals – 524 N. Market Street and 526 N. Market Street, Cecil and Andrea Downing – 415 1⁄2 N. Market Street, Eclectic Boutique – 335 N. Market Street; approval of the minutes for the council meeting held on January 28, 2019 and approval of paying all bills bearing the proper signatures.
Meeting adjourned 5:12 p.m.
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