City of Mount Carmel City Council met Oct. 21.
Here is the agenda provided by the council:
Invocation was given by Reverend Tony Hodgson.
Mayor Judge brought the city council meeting to order.
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 October 7th, 2019. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Jason Wright with ADG Architectural and Design, who was in attendance to present to the council the renderings for the new addition to the city hall building. Mr. Wright also presented drawings for the preliminary and schematic design process. Mr. Wright stated a tentative groundbreaking date for the addition could be as soon as March 1st, 2020, once the necessary processes are complete and the bid letting has been awarded, which is all contingent on council approval. Mayor Judge and the council thanked Mr. Wright along with Mike Ewald for their collaboration on the city hall facility as well as the new proposed addition.
Mayor Judge extended congratulations to the Lady Aces Golf Team for their second place winning at the state tournament and conveyed that they should be very proud of their accomplishment. Mayor Judge wished the Golden Aces Soccer Team “good luck”, as they compete in the sectional tournament on Tuesday, October 22nd at Columbia, Missouri. Mayor Judge congratulated all the area sports teams, as they have all done very well so far this year.
Mayor Judge reported Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter has located a used dump truck and snow plow for the possible purchase by the city for the street department. Mayor Judge stated the truck was originally purchased by the City of Oxford, Indiana for $84,000.00 along with the separate purchase of the snow plow for approximately $15,000.00 and both are currently available for sale for $30,000.00. Mayor Judge recommended the council give approval for City Administrative Assistant Witsman to negotiate the possible purchase of the truck and snow plow in preparedness of the upcoming winter season.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department continued to mow parks and city properties; patched potholes in alleys and streets; cut dead limbs from trees; installed an eighty-foot section of storm sewer and built two man holes in the five hundred block of Pear Street; had the hydraulic cylinder of the John Deere Loader rebuilt; repaired the air brakes on the dump truck; and replaced two light fixtures at the girls softball field.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported $235,682.00 was received in the General Fund during the last two weeks with most of the revenues being sales tax, state income tax, utility tax, etc. Commissioner Ikemire stated the city’s finances are holding steady and the budget is doing well. Commissioner Ikemire reported the chip/seal expenditures have been paid and the Motor Fuel Tax Fund still has approximately $460,000.00. Commissioner Ikemire noted the Water Fund is at $200,000.00 and the Wastewater Fund is at $651,000.00 with all funds being in good shape at this time.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated Phase One and Phase Two of the wastewater plant’s projects have been completed with Phase Three, which is the digestor project, beginning as soon as some of the equipment has been dropped at the facility. Commissioner Dulgar reported, upon the completion of the third phase, $3.5 million will have been spend on upgrades for the wastewater plant
Commissioner Dulgar stated the report from Hydromax should be here by the first of next week in regards to the smoke testing that was done in the sewer systems on the north side of the city.
Commissioner Dulgar reminded the council members to please read and review the engineering study report regarding the water treatment facility, as he will be presenting for discussion at an upcoming council meeting the possibility of moving forward with a new water treatment facility.
COMMISSIONER ROD RODRIGUEZ – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Rodriguez reported in the last two weeks the fire department responded to thirteen runs; provided mutual aid to the Allendale Fire Department and the Keensburg Fire Department. Commissioner Rodriguez stated the Mount Carmel Fire Department had to call for mutual aid from the Allendale, Bellmont and Keensburg Fire Departments last night for a fire.
Commissioner Rodriguez thanked the First Apostolic Church for the dinner they provided for the fire department last Monday. Commissioner Rodriguez also thanked Molly Wood for the desserts she provided for the dinner.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated mosquito spraying has ended for the season.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman acknowledged Mayor Judge who presented the consent agenda to the council for approval. Mayor Judge stated the consent agenda includes recommendations per the zoning board; which includes Ordinance 2021, construction of a parking lot by Wabash General Hospital at 1226 Chestnut Street; Ordinance 2022, renovation of a building located at 219 W. Thirteenth Street by Wabash General Hospital; and Ordinance 2023, variance for a setback requirement for a residential building addition at 139 St. Joseph Street. Mayor Judge also reported within the consent agenda is the approval of Municipal Cannabis Retailers’ Occupation Tax, per State of Illinois mandate and approval of paying all bills bearing the proper signatures. City Administrative Assistant Witsman presented the consent agenda to the council for roll vote.
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 absent.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the purchase of a used dump truck/snowplow for no more than $30,000.00 from MacAllister of Indy. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Rodriguez seconded to approve the consent agenda as presented in the agenda dated October 21st, 2019. All present voted Aye by roll call vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.
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