City of Mount Carmel City Council met February 25.
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 Commissioner Justin Dulger, who reiterated that Water Treatment Plant Lead Operator Keith Reed was nominated for the Water Systems Operations Specialist of the Year. Commissioner Dulgar proudly announced that Keith received the second runner-up award and thanked him for his great accomplishments as well as all his efforts in keeping the water treatment facility running smoothly. Mayor Hudson and the council congratulated Keith for the prestigious award. City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman stated this is the first award the water treatment facility has received since 1954, despite various nominations throughout the years.
Mayor Hudson reported the weather situation was definitely better over the past two weeks and the street department “caught a break” as they did not have to deal with snow, ice and/or heavy rains. Mayor Hudson added thankfully the river is also receding and will hopefully drop below the flood stage soon.
Mayor Hudson congratulated all the athletic teams who have participated in competitions over the last two weeks and wished them well in the upcoming events. Mayor Hudson extended good luck wishes to the Mount Carmel High School Athletic Teams and the Wabash Valley College Teams as they enter into tournament competition this coming week.
Mayor Hudson reported concrete is being poured at the north end of the Holly Brook Development Site for a parking area and painting of rooms is being done in the Memory Loss Area of the facility.
Mayor Hudson stated he will be signing a proclamation at the next council meeting on March 11th for a group of local students.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Ikemire reported in the last two weeks the street department cleaned intakes; serviced one of the department’s tractors; patched potholes in roadways; performed maintenance work on the street sweeper; extended the ditch drain grade at West Seventh and Bellmont Streets; continued trimming trees limbs at Rose Hill Cemetery; and repaired picnic tables at the city park.
Commissioner Ikemire stated the street department has been working on the flooding issue at West Ninth and Poplar Streets, especially during the recent heavy rains. Commissioner Ikemire reported a major blockage in the storm sewer in the area behind Pacific Press was discovered. Commissioner Ikemire stated to repair the blockage approximately one-hundred forty feet of forty-eight-inch pipe will need to be installed with the costs being offset with TIF monies, as this unexcepted issue is not included in the current fiscal budget. Commissioner Ikemire reported the approval for the repair project is included within the consent agenda. Commissioner Ikemire commended Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter and his employees on finding the blockage.
Commissioner Ikemire reported construction at the golf course pro shop is going smoothly and stated the general public has shown at lot of interest however, due to safety concerns access to the facility is being restricted during the regular construction work hours.
COMMISSIONER JOE JUDGE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Judge announced next week he will be attending the Thirtieth Annual Rural Community Economic Development Conference in Springfield, Illinois. Commissioner Judge stated one of the slated topics will be the $15.00 an hour minimum wage law in the State of Illinois and how municipalities will cope with that increase.
Commissioner Judge reported on March 20th, he will be attending a USDA Role Reversal Conference in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Commissioner Judge stated in years past governmental entities have had to apply for grant monies, however at this conference, governmental representatives can present a project to various State and Federal Agencies, who will all be in attendance at the conference. Commissioner Judge reported this type of conference helps to “cut through all the red” tape in seeking out grant funding and he will be presenting the Market Street “Street Scape” Project for the city.
Commissioner Judge stated he has applied for two grants; one being for playground improvement at the city’s main park and the other for tennis court improvements to include upgrading one of the courts to allow pickle ball.
Commissioner Judge reminded the council that budget time is approaching with the new fiscal year starting on May 1st. Commissioner Judge stated the city is anticipating receiving lower sales tax receipts for 2019, especially with the closing of Shopko. Commissioner Judge proposed that department heads have their individual budgets completed by March 25th and to be diligent with their budgets as monies are going to be tight.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the control building for the aeration project at the wastewater plant is eighty percent complete; the blowers and transformers have been set in place with the piping to the basin being ninety-five percent complete. Commissioner Dulgar stated once the aeration project is complete, the wastewater plant will focus on completing the digestor project.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water maintenance department activated the flood pumps to remove water from ditches; inspected sink holes; assisted the wastewater plant with some pump and flooding issues. Commissioner Dulgar commended the water maintenance department on their hard work and efforts.
Commissioner Dulgar again, congratulated Water Treatment Plant Lead Operator Keith Reed for his award and thanked him for his accomplishments. Commissioner Dulgar reported the repairs needed to allow the necessary data retrieval from the West Third Street Water Tower have been completed. Commissioner Dulgar stated the water treatment plant has received the results from the recent routine EPA inspection and he will present the results at the next council meeting.
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 attended training with Wabash General Hospital Ambulance Service regarding the treatment of burns.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated the Bellmont Fire Department wishes to thank everyone who supported them this past Saturday at their chili fundraising supper.
Commissioner Rodriguez announced the Guns and Hoses Event is slated to be held on Sunday, March 10th.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated Spring Fix-Up/Clean-Up Week is April 1st through April 5th.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman emphasized if a mattress and/or box springs is set out for pick up during the Fix-Up/Clean-Up Week they must be totally wrapped in plastic or the items will not be picked up by Republic Services.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the trash contract with Republic Services is due to expire at the end of July of this year and he will be working on the preparation of the solicitation of bids for trash collection.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the farm land leases for the Mount Carmel Municipal Airport and for the farm land located on Highway Fifteen are due to expire this year and bids will solicitated for those contracts, as well.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman announced City Employee Donnie Banks will officially retire on March 8th after thirty-nine years of service to the city in various departments. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated Donnie has been a very dedicated and loyal employee to the city and the community. City Administrative Assistant Witsman thanked and congratulated Donnie for the many years of service he provided to the city as well as the residents.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the City of Mount Carmel does not have a nepotism policy at this time and he was approached by members of the council to look at the possibility of enacting an ordinance regarding anti-nepotism. City Administrative Assistant Witsman presented to the council a proposed policy for their consideration and stated this meeting constitutes the first reading of Ordinance 2010 – Nepotism Policy.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported Wabash County School District #348 is wanting to sell 3+ acres of land to Wabash General Hospital, which is adjacent to both units. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated permission must be granted by the council to subdivide the parcel of land and the approval is contained within the consent agenda.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated within the consent agenda is Resolution 655, which is a TIF agreement with Evans & Marcum (B & D Independence). City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated the agreement was approved at a prior council meeting last year and the resolution itself could not be passed until the new TIF was established at the beginning of 2019.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported also within the consent agenda is Resolution 656 – Support of Commitment of Local Funds for the Oak Street Sidewalk Project, as was presented at the public hearing and a bid in the amount of $68,160 from Kieffer Brothers for the storm sewer replacement along Poplar Street.
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 no report.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Mayor Hudson and the Council approved the Consent Agenda, as presented in the agenda dated February 25, 2019. The consent agenda included approval of Subdivision B – From Wabash District #348 to Wabash General Hospital 3+acres; approval of Resolution 655 – TIF Agreement with Evans & Marcum (B&D); approval of Resolution 656 – Support of Commitment of Local Funds for Oak Street Sidewalk; approval of the $68,160 bid from Kieffer Brothers for storm sewer replacement along Poplar Street; approval of the minutes for the council meeting held on February 11th, 2019 and approval of paying all bills bearing the proper signatures.
Meeting adjourned 5:19 p.m.
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