City of Mount Carmel City Council met April 22.
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 reported progress is beginning at the Warrior Village II construction site, which will facilitate incoming athletes at Wabash Valley College. Mayor Hudson reiterated the remodeling inside of Buehlers Buy-Low is coming along well, which will house Ace Hardware as well as a new pharmacy and an open house is slated to be held the first part of July. Mayor Hudson stated the renovations by West Berwick Management to the golf course pro shop are coming along nicely. Mayor Hudson reported drywall is being hung and concrete is being poured at the Villas of Holly Brook development site.
Mayor Hudson stated the concrete is being poured for the new stage at the Merchant’s Park; the landscaping will then be completed around the stage area; the shelter/canopy will then be installed at the beginning of May. Mayor Hudson anticipates the stage will be completed by the end of May and is in hopes a concert held to celebrate the completion.
Mayor Hudson reported the “Street Scape” project for Market Street is still in the works as well as the sidewalk project for Oak Street between West Ninth and West Third.
Mayor Hudson announced the city swimming pool has been cleaned and patched in preparation to be painted.
Mayor Hudson reported the Mount Carmel CEO Trade Show will be held tonight at Parkview Christian Church from 4:30 to 7:00.
Mayor Hudson requested prayers for Police Chief John Lockhart as his health has unfortunately declined.
Mayor Hudson announced Thursday, May 2nd is the National Day of Prayer and a ceremony will be held at Veteran’s Park.
Mayor Hudson reported the canopy of the former Dersch Energy Convenience Store located at Ninth and Market has been torn down and the underground gas storage tanks will be removed. Mayor Hudson stated he tried to contact the owner of McDonald’s in anticipation of the location being the site of a new McDonald’s but he was unable to speak to the owner, prior to the council meeting. Mayor Hudson reported fortunately the store site is being cleaned up by Mr. Dersch.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Ikemire reported in the last two weeks the street department cleaned intakes; patched pot holes in roadways; mowed parks and ballparks; replaced a culvert in the roadway to the yard waste site; dug out and installed a hundred feet of pipe and a man hole drain in the city park; performed yard abatements; cut down and cleaned up six trees throughout the city; poured back a sidewalk that the water maintenance department had to remove to repair a water main break; performed stop light maintenance at the intersection of West Ninth and Walnut Streets.
Commissioner Ikemire reminded residents, since the grass is growing quickly, to please keep their yards mowed to comply with the city’s ordinance.
COMMISSIONER JOE JUDGE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Judge stated life guard applications are still being accepted for the city swimming pool.
Commissioner Judge announced, starting next week, applications for the youth volunteer program for the city will be accepted, mainly for performing work in the city parks and at the WC Cafeteria and Senior Center. Commissioner Judge stated the Wabash County Health Department will be accepting applications for the youth volunteer program, as well.
Commissioner Judge thanked all the departments for an amazing job with their 2018/2019 budgets. Commissioner Judge stated the general fund should be in the “black” in the projected amount of $70,650.00, however there are two weeks left in the current fiscal year. Commissioner Judge reported, overall, the proposed 2019/2020 budget should be in the “black” even though the general fund budget is a deficit budget. Commissioner Judge reiterated “thank you” to all departments for their hard work and accomplishments.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water maintenance department opened the flood gates and turned off the pump stations due to the receding river level and flushed water hydrants throughout the city. Commissioner Dulgar stated the water hydrants had not been flushed for approximately two years due to the water tower maintenance.
Commissioner Dulgar stated a feasibility study needs to be done before any final plans can be made for the possible construction of a new water treatment facility. Commissioner Dulgar reported it has been a long four years in regards to the water treatment plant, however after this last study is completed enough information will be obtained to make the best decision for the future of the water treatment facility. Commissioner Dulgar stated the feasibility study will review everything that has been done to date; will look at total costs for a new facility; and will help determine the best way to pay for a new facility.
COMMISSIONER ROD RODRIGUEZ – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Rodriguez reported in the last two weeks the fire department had nine runs and attended EMS training.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated on Wednesday, April 24th he will be attending the “IllinoiSouth Tourism” meeting in Swansea, IL.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked for council approval to continue the Façade Grant Program, as there are businesses along Market Street who wish to improve the “façade” of their buildings. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the funds are available in the TIF Program and reiterated the grant program has been very successful in prior years.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated, in honor of the Administrative Professional’s Day, city hall will be closed Wednesday, April 24th from 11:15 am to 1:30 pm for the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce’s Luncheon.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported a proposal has been presented to allow the city to make a presentation to the state agency regarding the sidewalk beautification along Market Street from Third Street to Fifth Street. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the intent is to replace the sidewalk as well as new landscaping work. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated the city has tried unsuccessfully in prior years to obtain a grant for the project. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported several state agencies will be available in May at Mount Vernon, IL and the sidewalk beautification proposal will be presented at that time. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the agencies will in turn provide input as to where the city may attempt to obtain funding for the project.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated he has been approached by various groups regarding helping out with different projects throughout the city. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported he was contacted by Art Kimmel, who has been contracted to mow the cemeteries, and Mr. Kimmel stated he was approached by a company who will reset tombstones in the city’s cemeteries. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the company will provide its own equipment and work for eight hours resetting the tombstones for a fee of $4500.00. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported that has prompted him to ask if any community groups or individuals that would like to contribute to the endeavor. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated he is in hopes of enough monies being raised to pursue the project.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported within the consent agenda is the second reading of Ordinance 2010 – Anti-Nepotism Policy. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated the first reading of the ordinance was conducted approximately four weeks ago and due to not having a full council the second reading was postponed until the current council meeting.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated also within the consent agenda is Ordinance 2011 – Budget 2019-2020 and Ordinance 2012 – Amending Ordinance 1086/Budget 2018-2019; the second reading is waived.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported he was approached by the VFW Auxiliary requesting to collect donations at the designated intersections on May 25th for their annual Poppy Day event and the request is within the consent agenda.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated Resolution R-658 – Yearly Support of GWRPC in the amount of $2500.00 is included within the consent agenda, as well. City Administrative Assistant Witsman acknowledged Commissioner Judge who requested the resolution be removed from the consent agenda as he is a member of the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission and should abstain from voting. City Administrative Assistant Witsman removed the resolution from the consent agenda, per a brief council discussion and presented Resolution R-658 as a separate business motion.
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.
INTERIM POLICE CHIEF – RYAN TURNER
Interim Police Chief Ryan Turner no report.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Frances Speth no report.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve Resolution R-658 to commit $2500.00 to Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commissioner. Mayor Hudson, Commissioners Ikemire, Dulgar, and Rodriguez voted Aye by roll call vote. Commissioner Judge abstained from voting.
Mayor Hudson and the Council approved the Consent Agenda, as presented in the agenda dated April 22nd, 2019. The consent agenda included approval of Ordinance 2010 – Anti-Nepotism, Second Reading; Ordinance 2011 – Budget 2019-2020, Second Reading; Ordinance 2012 – Amending Ordinance 1086 – Budget 2018-2019, Waive Second Reading; Fund Raising – VFW on May 25th/Annual Poppy Day Event; approval of the minutes for the council meeting held on April 8th, 2019 and approval of paying all bills bearing the proper signatures.
Meeting adjourned 5:23 p.m.
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