City of Mount Carmel City Council met Dec. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Invocation was given by 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 Meeks motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on December 2nd, 2019. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge thanked everyone for attending all the Christmas festivities over the last few weeks and reported the Christmas Uptown event as well as the Christmas Parade was a great success. Mayor Judge stated the retailers uptown reported great sales during the events. Mayor Judge also thanked everyone involved with putting on the events as their efforts are greatly appreciated.
Mayor Judge stated he has received a resignation notice from Sherry Purvis, who served as President of Mount Carmel Library Board. Mayor Judge wished the Purvis’ best of luck in their retirement in their new home and congratulated Scott Witsman on the promotion to president over the Library Board of Directors. Mayor Judge reported the library board has recommended the appointment of Teresa Berberich to fill the opening due to Sherry Purvis’ resignation. Mayor Judge approved the appointment of Teresa Berberich to the Mount Carmel Library Board of Directors.
Mayor Judge wished everyone a Merry Christmas, on behalf of himself and the city commissioners.
Mayor Judge expressed his gratitude to the six residents that expressed interest in filling the seat of Commissioner Rodriguez, which will be vacated on December 30, 2019. Mayor Judge stated each candidate was interviewed and the commissioners were given a chance to review the transcripts. Mayor Judge thanked all the commissioners along with City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman that were involved in the interview process. Mayor Judge reminded citizens that the position is a short-term nomination to fill the seat until the April, 2021 election and at that time the people of the City of Mount Carmel will choose who they want to fill the position for the remaining two years. Mayor Judge stated the seat at hand is for fire, health and safety, garbage city hall building, civil defense. Mayor Judge reported he has taken into consideration public feedback on who should fill the position as well as the information gained from the interview process in order to make a determination on who should be appointed the seat by himself as mayor. Mayor Judge asked that the public please keep in mind that none of the candidates had any prior experience serving as a commissioner; every candidate brought different life experiences to the interviews and each candidate was unique. Mayor Judge emphasized everyone should understand the person selected for the appointment is the person he feels he can work best with as a commissioner. Mayor Judge reported one thing several of the candidates expressed was the need to work with the young adults to get them to return to the community to work and raise their families. Mayor Judge stated, with that sentiment, he is appointing Chandler Madden to fill the commissioner seat. Mayor Judge reported the council has the opportunity to coach and mentor our young adults as well as learn first hand what is needed to accomplish the bringing back of the young adults to the City of Mount Carmel. Mayor Judge asked for council approval for the appointment of Chandler Madden.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department continued to pick up leaves with the leaf vac as the weather permitted; cleaned up trees around the street department garage; hauled barricades and trash totes for the Christmas Uptown event; burned the brush pile at the brush harbor; one hundred fifty ton of salt was delivered for use on the city streets during bad weather conditions; replaced the main boom on the street sweeper; continued to clean intakes; and repaired storm sewer on Pear Street.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported in the last two weeks the general fund received real estate tax revenues as well as liquor license renewal fees.
Commissioner Ikemire stated the second reading of the tax levy for the upcoming 2019/2020 period is included in the consent agenda. Commissioner Ikemire reported the final numbers for the levy proposal reflect less than a one percent increase. Commissioner Ikemire acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Witsman, who asked that the tax levy be removed from the consent agenda and a motion for approval be voted on separately by the council.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the waste water plant has received some of the equipment for the Digestor Project Two. Commissioner Dulgar clarified the anaerobic digestor breaks down organic solid matter and is an oxygen free tank.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the new generator has been installed at the water treatment plant and the sediment basins are scheduled for cleaning. Commissioner Dulgar reiterated at the last council meeting approval was granted to move forward with the next phase of a possible new water treatment facility, which is finalizing the design at the existing property location and finalizing the cost. Commissioner Dulgar reported the final cost for a new water treatment facility versus rehabbing the existing plant will be compared for public viewing and should be available by March of 2020.
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 nine runs; set up the ladder truck for the Christmas Parade and tested hoses on the fire trucks.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported he has received a request from Kevin List of LIP Motorsports for TIF assistant for the location at West Fifth and Walnut Streets. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the redevelopment work Mr. List has done justifies an expenditure from TIF 6 in the amount of $1000.00 and recommended the council approve that expense.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated city hall will be closed Tuesday, December 24th and Wednesday, December 25th for the Christmas Holiday. City Administrative Assistant Witsman acknowledged Mayor Judge, who stated city hall will also be closing at noon on Tuesday, December 31st and will be closed all day on Wednesday, January 1st for the New Year Holiday.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reminded residents to please do not put sticks, twigs and/or other items in the piles of leaves to be picked up by the leaf vac machine as it can damage the equipment.
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 there are no scheduled dates for the golf cart/UTV inspections at this time and stated anyone wishing to have their cart inspected should call the police department to make an appointment for an inspection.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth asked residents to please use extreme caution while driving this holiday season especially during bad weather conditions.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the TIF application from Kevin List. TIF 6 will be used to pay him $1000.00 toward his expenditure of $11,900.00 of approved TIF expenses. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Rodriguez seconded to approve the 2019/2020 Tax Levy as presented. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Rodriguez seconded to approve Mayor Judge’s recommendation of Chandler Madden to replace Rod Rodriguez as City Commissioner. All present voted Aye by roll call vote.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar 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 and approval of the 2020 meeting dates and holidays.
Meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m.
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/4841/12-16-19.pdf
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