City of Mount Carmel City Council met July 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Invocation was given by Becky Reeves.
Present on Roll Call: Mayor Joe Judge Commissioners - Tom Meeks, Eric Ikemire, Justin Dulgar, Rod Rodriguez
Also, Present: City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman, City Attorney Kelli Storckman
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Judge requested a motion to approve the minutes of the last council meeting.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on July 1st, 2019. All present voted Aye by Voice Vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge brought the city council meeting to order.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Linda Lowery, who was in attendance to discuss the burning of cardboard as toxic fumes are being released into the community and which in turn affects the overall health of the area residents. Ms. Lowery voiced her concerns as Rural King continually burns cardboard and with the new Holly Brook facility opening soon, her concerns have greatly increased. Ms. Lowery stated burning of cardboard and other types of hazardous material is in violation of Illinois State Environmental Laws. Ms. Lowery was seeking council assistance with stopping of the burning by Rural King. Mayor Judge addressed Ms. Lowery and asked if she had a proposed solution to the burning. Ms. Lowery suggested recycling the cardboard. Mayor Judge stated unfortunately there is not a recycle/reclaim group in this area. Mayor Judge reported he has been in contact with the IEPA and is waiting on their determination regarding the burning. Mayor Judge assured Ms. Lowery he would be in contact with her regarding the situation.
Mayor Judge welcomed everyone to the temporary city hall and thanked the city staff as well as the residents of the city for their patience while working through the current situation. Mayor Judge stated he is in hopes to have a release soon on the next step regarding the city hall facility. Mayor Judge expressed appreciation to the city staff for working endlessly in restoring services in a matter of hours on Monday, July 8th so the city offices could function. Mayor Judge stated the city staff went above and beyond to transition 631 N. Market Street into a temporary location and to fully functional in a matter of days. Mayor Judge and the council thanked the city staff for their dedication to the council itself but more so for the dedication to the residents of the City of Mount Carmel. Mayor Judge expressed thank you to John Rhine and Stan Ernest for working with the city for the use of their facility; to Kelly Schroeder of Mundy Real Estate Agency for his assistance with the use of the current facility; to First National Bank and First Bank as well as anyone else who assisted with the transition. Mayor Judge affirmed everyone’s assistance is greatly appreciated.
Mayor Judge thanked Terry Beckerman, Trey Beckerman, and Brittany Campagna for their assistance in organizing the week of events for the Fantastic Fourth Celebration. Mayor Judge reported all the events went off great except the Family Movie Night on Friday due to inclement weather and that event will be rescheduled for a later date. Mayor Judge stated the new “Touch a Truck” event had approximately four to five hundred children in attendance. Mayor Judge expressed thank you to everyone who brought equipment for the event as it was a huge success.
Mayor Judge announced August 6th is “National Night Out” and the police department as well as the first responders will be participating in the awareness event. Mayor Judge stated this will be the first time in several years that the area departments have participated and more information will be announced at an upcoming council meeting.
Mayor Judge stated other items that be will discussed at future council meetings are the possible golf cart and UTV ordinance as well as the recreational marijuana issue. Mayor Judge reported the council is researching a “sample” ordinance and also the state statues in regards to golf cart and UTV use within the city limits. Mayor Judge stated the city has until January 1st, 2020 to make a decision regarding recreational marijuana and the council will not be making a decision at this time.
Mayor Judge reported he will be attending training conducted by the Illinois Municipal League on September 19th through September 21st in Chicago in reference to recreational marijuana and will bring back vital information needed to assist the council with making the right decision for the City of Mount Carmel by the January 1st deadline.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department was busy picking up brush; repaired one of the department’s trailers; patched potholes; mowed ball parks and city parks; completed the stop sign islands on Market Street; put up barricades and taped off the “No Parking Zones” for the July 4th festivities; and installed a hydraulic pump on the mowing tractor. Commissioner Meeks asked residents to please be patience as the brush crew is trying to get caught up as they continue picking up of limbs and yard waste throughout the city.
Commissioner Meeks stated one project scheduled for this summer is the replacement of a storm sewer pipe in the eight-hundred block of West Third Street; another project is the moving and reinstallation of a sixty foot pipe at the city park; repairing a section of roadway on Empire Street; and working with the State of Illinois on the replacement of a culvert near the Northwood Subdivision on outer Cherry Street. Commissioner Meeks reported the storm sewer repair work at intersection of West Seventh and Chestnuts Streets has been completed.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the general fund is holding steady despite the fact the revenue income has been low in the last two weeks.
Commissioner Ikemire reiterated at the last council meeting the current interest rates on four of the city’s money market accounts were discussed and that area banks were notified in anticipation of receiving an appropriate return. Commissioner Ikemire reported after reinvesting the monies the city has received a one percent increase on the funds.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar thanked the city workers for their tireless work at the baseball fields this year. Commissioner Dulgar stated the ball season is long which requires extra work by the employees and their efforts are greatly appreciated.
Commissioner Dulgar reported repairs are ongoing at the Oak Street Booster Station and hydrants were flushed near Janeway Drive due to dirty water complaints.
Commissioner Dulgar stated Friday, July 26th will be the next meeting in working toward finalizing the plans for the presentation to the council for a possible new water treatment facility.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water maintenance department performed their routine maintenance; opened the levee gates; attended to sewer line issues; cleaned the filters at the city pool; installed shut off valves at city hall after the water line break; assisted with the storm sewer installation at West Seventh and Chestnut Streets; and repaired sink holes.
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated Hydromax had installed sensors in the city’s sewer system at various locations and the data from that installation is now being reviewed in anticipation of what the next steps will be regarding the sewer system. Commissioner Dulgar stated the report from Hydromax was very informative and will greatly assist in the decisions that need to be made in the near future.
COMMISSIONER ROD RODRIGUEZ – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Rodriguez reported in the last two weeks the fire department had ten runs; participated in the Fourth of July Parade and were on standby at the fireworks display.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated mosquito spraying is ongoing when the weather allows.
Commissioner Rodriguez reported the Wicked Wheels Car Show at Wabash Valley College, which was slated to be held on July 6th, was postponed due to inclement weather and will be rescheduled in September.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated bids were solicited for the summer chip/seal program and only one bid was received from Mount Carmel Stabilization Group in the amount of $87,856.65. City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked council for a motion to accept the proposal and stated the funds will come out of the MFT Program.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated for several years Heartland Worship Center has utilized the former girl scout cabin on the corner of First and Walnut Streets, but will be moving out of the building due to the condition of the facility. City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked council for direction regarding the building as far as “rehabbing” it or tearing it down and stated he will revisit the issue at a later meeting for a council decision.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported he is finalizing the contract with Republic Services and will present it for consideration at the next council meeting.
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
POLICE CHIEF – RYAN TURNER
Police Chief Turner no report.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth thanked Water/Sewer Maintenance Supervisor Bill Reed and Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter for their assistance with the concrete work at the fire station.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to award the bid to Mount Carmel Stabilization in the amount of $87,856.65 for the chip/seal of the city streets. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to pay all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
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