City of Mount Carmel City Council met June 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Invocation was given by Reverend Kevin Gammon.
Present on Roll Call: Mayor Joe Judge Commissioners – Justin Dulgar, Rod Rodriguez
Also, Present: City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Judge requested a motion to approve the minutes of the last council meeting.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Rodriguez seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on May 20th, 2019. All present voted Aye by Voice Vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge brought the city council meeting to order.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Donald Kensell, who was in attendance as the spokesperson for the residents of Oak Meadows Subdivision to address the council regarding the flooding problems and more so the excessive flooding that occurred last week in the subdivision after the torrential rains. Mr. Kensell began by thanking the city for the quick response of cleaning up the streets after the flood waters receded. Mr. Kensell stated the residents understand the responsibility of maintaining their own properties while the city is responsible for the infrastructure of the area. Mr. Kensell added the problem is two-fold as the subdivision is surrounded by a creek and drainage ditches that converge in the area. Mr. Kensell stressed to the council the impact of the flooding and the seriousness of trying to rectify the issue. Mayor Judge assured Mr. Kensell and the residents of Oak Meadows Subdivision that the council will look into identifying the issues to work toward alleviating the problems and affirmed an update will be presented at the next meeting. Mayor Judge stated a public meeting will also be held to present to those residents what the city can do to help alleviate the issue and assured the residents they will be notified of the meeting.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Terry Beckerman with Wabash Roots-n-Que, who stated the event is scheduled for Friday, June 21st and Saturday, June 22nd. Mr. Beckerman was seeking council approval for the street closure beginning north of the intersection of Third and Market Streets and ending just south of the intersection of Fifth and Market Streets on 5:00 pm on Thursday, June 20th for the event.
Mayor Judge announced the fireworks donation letters have been mailed and thanked those who have already contributed. Mayor Judge stated donations are still being accepted at city hall and all contributions are greatly appreciated.
Mayor Judge reported work has begun on one of the new stop-sign islands along Market Street. Mayor Judge reiterated at the previous council meeting it was discussed that the street department crew would perform the work rather than hiring an outside company. Mayor Judge stated, after shuffling around some of the street department employees, the opportunity was given to the department to build the first “island”. Mayor Judge reported Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter and employees began building the island at the intersection of Third and Market Streets. Mayor Judge stated a maroon colored concrete island was chosen rather than the normal gray color and is in hopes that will make Market Street look more enticing as well as more inviting.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks absent.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials. Commissioner Ikemire absent.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water treatment plant will be performing its standard routine cleaning of the sediment basins. Commissioner Dulgar reported a boil order will be implemented tomorrow, June 4th for part of Cherry Hills Subdivision. Commissioner Dulgar acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman who stated, due to the limited number of households involved, each of those homes were “tagged” for notification regarding the boil order.
Commissioner Dulgar reported himself and Water Treatment Plant Lead Operator Keith Reed will be meeting with Three I Design and Donohue the end of next week regarding the feasibility study for a possible new water treatment plant. Commissioner Dulgar stated this is step one of working with the engineering and water treatment specialist firm in moving forward toward making an educated decision on the best route to take regarding the water treatment facility.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water maintenance department has working on some sewer issues at the Little League Ballfield; closed the floodgates due to the rising river levels; and performed maintenance at the city pool.
Commissioner Dulgar addressed the council for the Kiwanis Club and was seeking approval for the closure of Market Street from Third Street to Railroad Street on Saturday, June 22nd for the Down Hill Derby Event, which is part of the Wabash Roots-n-Que Festival.
COMMISSIONER ROD RODRIGUEZ – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Rodriguez reported in the last two weeks the fire department had six runs; cleaned mud from the boat ramp and the parking lot area as well as from Janeway Drive, Fourth Street and Oak Meadows Subdivision after the excessive flooding. Commissioner Rodriguez stated the regularly scheduled fire meeting was cancelled due to the Memorial Day Holiday.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated the “Walk-Up Wednesday” starts this Wednesday, June 5th and R’Z Café will be offering lunch. Commissioner Rodriguez added on June 12th the high school golf team is scheduled; on June 19th the high school girls’ tennis team will offering lunch; and Safe Haven will be at the “Walk-Up” Wednesday on June 26th.
Commissioner Rodriguez reported he has spoken with representatives from the Villas of Holly Brook regarding a tour/inspection of the new facility by the fire department for safety purposes.
Commissioner Rodriguez announced the Wicked Wheels Car Show will be held at Wabash Valley College on Sunday, July 7th. Commissioner Rodriguez stated this is the seventh year that he will be grilling at the concession stand and all the proceeds will be donated to the Shop with a Cop/Fireman Program.
Commissioner Rodriguez reported that Saturday, June 1st the Wabash County Health Department had a Summer Kick-Off Event for the children of the community.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated it was brought to his attention that the flag poles in front of city hall need some repair work done.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported a request was made for stop signs at the intersection of East Fourth Street and Golden Aces Way with the signs being installed on the east/west sides of Fourth Street and stated the matter will be looked into to determine if the signs are needed.
CITY ATTORNEY – KELLI STORCKMAN
City Attorney Storckman no report
CITY INSPECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
City Inspector Gidcumb reported the Second Reading and approval of Ordinance 2013 is contained within the consent agenda. City Inspector Gidcumb reiterated the ordinance amends Appendix A – Definitions of mobile homes or modular homes.
City Inspector Gidcumb stated the zoning board approved requests from 2002 College Drive, 403 N. Cherry Street, 630 N. Poplar Street and recommended the council approve the requests as well. City inspector Gidcumb reported Ordinance 2014 approves the variance to allow the addition of office space to the existing building located at 2002 College Drive; Ordinance 2015 approves the allowance of a business to be operated at 403 N. Cherry Street; and Ordinance 2016 approves the addition to an existing building at 630 N. Poplar Street/511 West Seventh Street. City Inspector Gidcumb stated the ordinances are all included in the consent agenda.
City Inspector Gidcumb reported several notice violation letters have been mailed out for inoperable vehicles.
STREET DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENT – DAVE EASTER
Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter reported the street department has been very busy in the last two weeks working along Market Street in preparedness for the stop sign islands as well as dealing with the torrential rains.
POLICE CHIEF – RYAN TURNER
Police Detective Mike McWilliams was in attendance for Police Chief Ryan Turner and clarified that inoperable vehicles also includes expired registration and no valid insurance as well as being not road worthy in regards to the notices that City Inspector Gidcumb mailed.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Frances Speth reminded residents of the ordinance prohibiting burning within the city limits unless the fire is contained within some type of fire pit.
STREET DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENT – DAVE EASTER
Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter reported the street department has been very busy in the last two weeks working along Market Street in preparedness for the stop sign islands as well as dealing with the torrential rains.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Mayor Judge and the Council approved the Consent Agenda, as presented in the agenda dated June 3rd, 2019. The consent agenda included the Second Reading and approval of Ordinance 2013 – An ordinance amending Appendix A – Definitions mobile home or modular home; approval of Ordinance 2014 – Variance to allow addition of office space to existing building in residential zone, 2002 College Drive; approval of Ordinance 2015 – Variance to allow business to be operated in building in residential zone, 403 N. Cherry Street; approval of Ordinance 2016 – Variance to allow an addition to existing building in residential zone, 630 N. Poplar Street; and approval of paying all bills bearing the proper signatures.
Meeting adjourned 5:29 p.m.
http://cityofmtcarmel.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/06-03-19.pdf
Alerts Sign-up