City of Mount Carmel City Council met Nov. 18.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Invocation was given by Becky Reeves.
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 November 4th, 2019. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge stated, on the behalf of the City of Mount Carmel, all residents as well as city employees are wished a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mayor Judge announced the leaf pick up route has started and will be running eight-hour shifts for the next three weeks. Mayor Judge stated the brush and grass clippings will not be collected next week due to the shortened week for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Mayor Judge emphasized that residents should put their leaves as close to the street as possible and do not put the leaves in the street or the storm gutters. Mayor Judge asked residents to please be patient and to bear with the leaf pickup crew as they are learning more about the leaf vac and how it functions.
Mayor Judge reported the street department will be installing the Christmas lights along Market Street next week. Mayor Judge asked citizens to please be cautious and aware of the workers while they are installing the lights.
Mayor Judge announced the Mount Carmel Rotary Club will be holding a clean-up day on Tuesday, November 26th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm and all residents are encouraged to help. Mayor Judge stated anyone wishing to help should meet at 219 N. Market Street, the former city hall building and gloves as well as trash bags will be provided. Mayor Judge reported the club is trying to have a clean-up day on a regular quarterly basis.
Mayor Judge presented to the council information regarding the city workforce possibly moving forward with a public works department. Mayor Judge reported the city currently has different departments with multiple pieces of equipment and sometimes the departments share equipment as well as employees. Mayor Judge stated the public works department is a way of scaling down the city’s operations, which would result in getting the work down more effectively and efficiently as well as at a lower cost. Mayor Judge encouraged the council to review the information and contact other communities that have a public works department. Mayor Judge stated he would like to present the information for discussion at a meeting in January.
Mayor Judge reported Commissioner Tom Meeks, Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter and himself will be traveling to Springfield to look at some equipment for the city. Mayor Judge stated the city has had difficulty trying to purchase an additional plow truck and is in hopes of purchasing one tomorrow. Mayor Judge reported the council is continuing to try to acquire better equipment for the city.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department installed the salt box on the snowplow truck; salted the streets during the recent snow storm; dug out and formed up for the concrete work for the parking stall extensions at city hall; made adjustments to the leaf box for the new leaf vac; reinstalled the hydraulic cylinder on the John Deere loader; installed a floor drain in the street department garage; assisted the water department maintenance with the hanging of the trench mirrors on the tower of the Oak Street booster station; conducted test runs with the leaf vac; replaced damaged street signs and stop signs.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the general fund received $176,683.00 in receipts within the last two weeks with the majority of the monies coming from sales tax and state income tax. Commissioner Ikemire stated the revenues from the State of Illinois are coming in well so far for this year. Commissioner Ikemire noted payments have been paid out on the chip/seal program and approximately $484,000.00 remains in the Motor Fuel Tax Fund.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar acknowledged Terry Boyer and Nick Knapp of Donahue/Three I Design, who were in attendance to present for discussion a new water treatment plant. Mr. Boyer stated the city’s existing system consists of three water wells that pump into the water treatment plant and gave a brief explanation of how the current water treatment plant works. Mr. Boyer reported the engineering study report pertains just to the water treatment plant and not the three well system or the distribution field. Mr. Boyer stated the study examined various types of water treatment systems as well as the relative expense for each type and he gave a brief overview all types. Mr. Boyer recommended the best alternative for the city would be a new conventional treatment system and facility at the existing water treatment site with a cost of $8.1 million. Mr. Boyer stated the city would qualify for up to $800,00.00 in Illinois EPA loan forgiveness as well as a reduced interest rate for a twenty or thirty-year term loan. Mr. Boyer summarized the required steps of moving forward with the project and stated a new water treatment facility could be completely operational by the first part of the year 2023. After a brief discussion, the council decided to table a decision in order for City Attorney Kelli Storckman to look over the contract proposal.
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 ten runs; finished testing the fire hoses on all three fire engines; and raised the flag for the Veterans Day Celebration.
Commissioner Rodriguez announced the Wabash Valley College Foundation Chili Supper will be held on Wednesday, November 20th.
Commissioner Rodriguez stated Bob Mayhue will be officially retiring at the end of this year and he wished to thank Bob for all his hard work as well as dedication to the City of Mount Carmel for the last twenty-seven years.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman announced city hall will be closed Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th for the Thanksgiving Holiday. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reminded residents the brush harbor will also be closed Friday, November 29th and Saturday, November 30th in observance of the holiday but will reopen on Monday, December 2nd.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated he had the privilege of hiring Bob Mayhue when Bob came on board as a part time employee to mow the city ballfields. City Administrative Assistant Witsman emphasized that Bob has been a very dedicated and loyal employee to the City of Mount Carmel. City Administrative Assistant Witsman thanked Bob for his many years of service along with all his hard work and wished him all the best in his retirement.
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 reported information regarding the requirements for registering a non-highway vehicle and obtaining the sticker is now available on the city’s website. Police Chief Turner stated dates have been set up for the inspection of the non-highway vehicles and the inspections will take place at West Berwick Golf Club.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reminded residents to please make sure Christmas lights are grounded properly and to not over load the electrical circuits.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. All present voted Aye by voice vote. The consent agenda included the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures.
Meeting adjourned at 5:38 p.m.
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