City of Mount Carmel City Council met Sept. 9.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Invocation was given by Reverend Kevin Gammon of The Roads Church.
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 August 26th, 2019. All present voted Aye by Voice Vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge brought the city council meeting to order.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Don Mains, who was seeking council approval for the Mount Carmel Lion’s Club to collect donations on Friday, October 11th and Saturday, October 12th at the designated intersections for their annual fundraising event.
Mayor Judge expressed condolences on behalf of himself and the city council to the families of Miles Paris, Natalie Medina, John Carwile and Sondra Burton. Mayor Judge extended prayers to all the families and friends.
Mayor Judge announced the Oak Street Sidewalk Project will be moving forward in the near future once an engineering company is hired to provide the service to complete the project. Mayor Judge reported letters of interest have been mailed to several local engineering companies to bid on the project. Mayor Judge stated he is hopeful the project will begin in the Spring of 2020 with monies from the revolving loan fund being used for the expense, as per State of Illinois allowances and guidelines.
Mayor Judge reported the city applied for $50,000.00 from the Illinois State Capital Budget Project Fund for sidewalks along the Market Street area. Mayor Judge stated the monies from the capital budget, that was passed in June 2019, have to be used for projects in a business area and he anticipates receiving notification of the request in the near future.
Mayor Judge stated the Shopko building is still for sale or lease and reported the management company overseeing the property has shown the building to prospective buyers or tenants, but so far, no one has purchased or leased the building.
Mayor Judge reported the city along with Mount Carmel Area Economic Alliance has “several irons in the fire” right now and will hopefully be making announcements soon of new businesses coming to Mount Carmel.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department has continued to mow city properties; finished the chip/seal program for this year; replaced a storm sewer in the two hundred block of South Cherry; and performed yard abatements.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the city’s finance are right where they should be at this time of the fiscal year. Commissioner Ikemire stated the number of meals the WC Cafeteria and Senior Center delivers has increased while the number of people dining in at the center has decreased. Commissioner Ikemire reported some adjustments may have to be made to accommodate that change, otherwise the center is operating smoothly.
Commissioner Ikemire announced the Kiwanis Pancake Day is Thursday, September 19th at the VFW from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm and free will donations are being taken this year rather than the purchase of a ticket. Commissioner Ikemire invited everyone to attend the event.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the wastewater plant has WD Automation setting up the telemetry system on the new equipment that was installed; the plant is working with Horrall Electric and Kieffer Brothers Construction to determine if an electrical distribution system upgrade is feasible. Commissioner Dulgar stated future planning for the replacement of the screw pumps is also being discussed, which will be an expensive endeavor.
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated Hydromax will be conducting the smoke testing of the sewer mains next week. Commissioner Dulgar reported the locations will be North Park Subdivision, Cherry Hills Subdivision, part of Carriage Hills Subdivision, Hwy One North from Parkview Church down to and along Easy Street. Commissioner Dulgar stated some of the areas had previously been smoke tested by the city’s water/sewer maintenance department, however the Hydromax testing is more extensive. Commissioner Dulgar anticipates this testing should hopefully help with alleviating some of the ongoing sewer issues. Commissioner Dulgar stated the residents in those areas will be notified by having a “tag” put on their doors on Thursday and Friday of this week and the testing will not be done if it is raining.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water treatment plant cleaned the clarifiers in the north sediment basins today and the south sediment basins will be tomorrow.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water maintenance department replaced a water line near Washington and Lincoln Avenues.
COMMISSIONER ROD RODRIGUEZ – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Rodriguez reported in the last two weeks the fire department had fifteen runs. Commissioner Rodriguez requested prayers for the two individuals who lost their lives this past Saturday in a house fire at Friendsville. Commissioner Rodriguez thanked the Keensburg, Bellmont, Allendale, and West Salem Fire Departments who assisted with the fire.
Commissioner Rodriguez reiterated the Fall Fix-Up/Clean-Up week is September 30th through October 4th. Commissioner Rodriguez reminded residents that mattresses and box springs have to be completely wrapped in plastic or Republic Services will not pick them up. Commissioner Rodriguez stated construction material, electronics, televisions, microwaves, refrigerators, and stoves are some of the items that will not be picked up. Commissioner Rodriguez affirmed that if items are not picked up during the clean up week it is the resident’s responsibility to then remove the items.
Commissioner Rodriguez announced Wabash General Hospital will have a fun day at the city park on Saturday, September 14th.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated mosquito spraying is still ongoing throughout the city.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman presented to the council for approval a raffle request application from the Wabash General Hospital Auxiliary for a fundraising event.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman presented Ordinance 2020 to the council, which is an ordinance that authorizes non-highway vehicles on city streets. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated, as discussed at prior council meetings, the ordinance states the use of golf carts/UTVs will be allowed however, council input is needed for the designation of which streets to be used for the crossing of state highways. After discussing which streets would be safe to designate as crossings, the council decided to take the decision under advisement and make recommendation at the next meeting. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated this meeting constitutes the first reading of Ordinance 2020.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated at the last council meeting the intergovernmental agreement between the City of Mount Carmel, Wabash County and 911 for the funding of a new hardware/software dispatching system was discussed. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported Wabash County has approved the agreement and the city needs to be on record of approving the agreement, as well.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman presented Resolution R-661, which supports the Illinois Oil and Gas Industry. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated local industries have requested a recommendation from the city to approve the resolution as the other governmental entities have done in showing support of the Illinois Oil and Gas Industry.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman announced an agreement has been reached for 631 N. Market Street to become the new city hall. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the total purchase price of the building, grounds, as well as contents and all associated fees is $189,500.00. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated TIF funds can be used for this purchase.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported ClearWave has presented a proposal to provide internet and phone service at 631 N. Market Street for five years and is requesting an agreement be signed to that effect. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated he was in discussions with ClearWave before the calamity at the former city hall and they were quick to come the city’s aid during the move to 631 N. Market Street. City Administrative Assistant Witsman recommended the council approve the agreement.
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 Detective Mike McWilliams was in attendance for Police Chief Turner and had no report.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reported National Fire Prevention Safety is next month and reminded citizens to please check their smoke alarms. Fire Chief Speth encouraged residents who rent to please contact their landlords to request a smoke alarm and property owners may contact the fire department for assistance with obtaining an alarm.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the intergovernmental agreement between the City of Mount Carmel, Wabash County and 911 for the funding of new software and hardware for 911 dispatch. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Rodriguez seconded to approve Resolution R- 661 in support of Illinois Oil and Gas Industry. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Rodriguez seconded to authorize the expenditure of $189,500.00 from TIF funds to purchase the real estate and contents located at 631 N. Market Street. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to approve the agreement with Clearwave to furnish phone and internet services for five years at 631 N. Market Street. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Rodriguez seconded to pay all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
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