City of Mount Carmel City Council met Nov. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Invocation was given by Reverend Kevin Gammon.
Mayor Judge brought the city council meeting to order.
Present on Roll Call: Mayor Joe Judge Commissioners - Tom Meeks, Eric Ikemire, Justin Dulgar
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 21st, 2019. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged John Acree, who was in attendance to announce he was released on October 31st from his “no compete” clause from his previous employer. Mr. Acree stated he has formed a new company, which is Wabash Consulting and he is available for work.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Terry Beckerman, who announced the Christmas Uptown Event will be held on Friday, December 6th. Mr. Beckerman was seeking council approval for street closures for the event from the alley in the three hundred block to the alley in the four hundred block of Market Street beginning Friday morning; the half blocks of East and West Fourth Streets thru the Market Street intersection will be closed on Friday morning, as well and at noon closing south from the alley in the three hundred block of Market Street to the Third Street intersection as well as north from the alley in the four hundred block of Market Street to the Fifth Street intersection. Mr. Beckerman added the actual intersection of Third and Market Street would be closed after 2:00 pm on Friday. Mr. Beckerman stated the event committee is looking for sponsors as well as volunteers to help out with the event.
Mayor Judge welcomed the Villas of Holly Brook to the City of Mount Carmel. Mayor Judge reported tours of the facility were given on Saturday, November 2nd and stated the facility compliments the city very nicely.
Mayor Judge stated the deadline to submit the letters of interest for the city commissioner position was 4:30 pm on Friday, November 1st. Mayor Judge reiterated the position was made available due to Commissioner Rodriguez verbally resigning his seat. Mayor Judge reported eight letters of interest have been received from Chandler Madden, Don Kensell, Jaleigh Lashbrook, Mark Seaton, Molly Wood, Susan Zimmerman, Rick Johnston, and Shawn Storckman. Mayor Judge stated the position will officially be available once Commissioner Rodriguez turns in his written letter of resignation. Mayor Judge further stated he has requested that the Illinois Municipal League come up with various questions that involve the position and each candidate will be asked those same questions. Mayor Judge reported himself along with City Administrative Assistant Witsman and one commissioner will interview each of the candidates individually over the next several weeks. Mayor Judge stated once a proposed candidate has been selected, he will present that appointment choice to council for approval.
Mayor Judge reported the city received its leaf vac machine last Friday and will be testing it the next couple of weeks. Mayor Judge affirmed a leaf pickup route will be established later this week. Mayor Judge stated the leaf vac machine appears to be a very nice addition to the city’s line of equipment thus far from the initial test and it should be a very efficient machine to run as far as man power.
Mayor Judge announced, over the next week, the street department will be extending the parking area east of city hall. Mayor Judge asked residents to please be patient as that construction work is being done for the extension of future parking.
Mayor Judge stated he does not like unfounded rumors about businesses in the City of Mount Carmel and further stated he wished to address a rumor regarding The Roads Church. Mayor Judge clarified the church is not housing immigrants and people from other areas. Mayor Judge quoted Pastor Kevin Gammon by stating the only person living at The Roads Church is God. Mayor Judge affirmed anyone with questions about the rumors should please call The Roads Church.
Mayor Judge reported some renovations have started at the city swimming pool with work being done at the pool house. Mayor Judge stated Jeff Linson is putting a new roof on the pool house and some added repair work will be done in the coming months before the pool opens again next year.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department continued to patch potholes in alleys and streets; cut tree limbs and cleaned up the debris; cleaned storm sewer intakes; made adjustments on the box of the new leaf vac machine; performed repairs on the front end loader; replaced storm sewer pipe at Bona Terra Drive; converted mowers to begin mulching leaves; repaired tires on mowers; replaced a tire on the backhoe; and assisted the maintenance department with a sanitary sewer repair.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the city’s finances remain stable and the budget is in working order to date.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar stated WD Automation will be setting up the telemetry system and alarm system for the wastewater plant upgrades. Commissioner Dulgar reported the number one clarifier failed but should be back in service soon; Huff Sealing completed the repairs on the road at the plant; removed the sludge from the beds to the drying pads; Campbell Fire and Safety inspected and performed maintenance on a fire extinguisher.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the maintenance department repaired the sewer issues and a sink hole on Walnut Street; performed standard maintenance on the sewer main from Hydraulic Avenue to the high school football field; winterized the West Fourth Street Ballpark and the city swimming pool; and stated water hydrant repair will be performed in the Poor Farm Road area this coming week.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the generator is up and running at the water treatment plant; the level sensor for water well #2 has been ordered; Bolden Electric will be repairing the Oak Street booster station transfer switch.
Commissioner Dulgar affirmed he would to like to present for discussion at the next council meeting the engineering study report for a proposed new water treatment facility and hopefully move forward with council vote on the new facility.
COMMISSIONER ROD RODRIGUEZ – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Rodriguez arrived at the meeting at 5:14 pm and was not present for roll call by City Administrative Assistant Witsman.
Commissioner Rodriguez reported in the last two weeks the fire department responded to nine runs and tested the hoses on the fire trucks.
Commissioner Rodriguez reminded citizens to replace the batteries in their smoke detectors as well as their carbon monoxide detectors and check furnaces/ heaters to be sure they are working properly.
Commissioner Rodriguez presented to the council his formal written letter of resignation, effective December 31st, 2019. Mayor Judge accepted the letter of resignation and the council thanked Commissioner Rodriguez for his service to the City of Mount Carmel.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reminded residents the city hall will be closed on Monday, November 11th for Veteran’s Day.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman announced the city’s new website is up and running. City Administrative Assistant encouraged individuals to “tour” the site as it is much improved.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported he had a request for signs at the city entrances for the Lady Aces Golf Team, as the team placed second in the state tournament. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated he confirmed with the State of Illinois that signs are only placed if a team receives first place. City Administrative Assistant Witsman affirmed the State of Illinois has changed its policy and unfortunately has limited the type as well as the number of signs they will put up.
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 stated the work on the parking area of city hall should begin tomorrow.
POLICE CHIEF – RYAN TURNER
Police Chief Turner absent.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth absent.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Mayor Judge and the Council approved the Consent Agenda, as presented in the agenda dated November 4th, 2019. The consent agenda included the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by roll call vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m.
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