City of Mt. Carmel City Council met Jan. 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Invocation was given by Reverend Darrell Thompson.
Mayor Judge brought the city council meeting to order.
Present on Roll Call: Mayor Joe Judge Commissioners - Tom Meeks, Eric Ikemire, Justin Dulgar, Chandler Madden
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 December 30th, 2019. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged John Acree, who presented to the council cost estimates for nine locations where there are water and sewer problems that had been identified by Water/Sewer Maintenance Lead Operator Bill Reed. Mr. Acree stated the estimates are based on bidding out the repair work and some of the locations will require Illinois EPA permits; however, some of the work could be performed by the city’s water/sewer maintenance department. Mr. Acree gave a brief overview of the problems and his recommendations for repairing each of the locations. Mr. Acree stated the total estimated repair costs for the nine locations would be approximately $233,920.00. The council thanked Mr. Acree for the information and stated they would take in under advisement.
Mayor Judge stated the City of Mount Carmel has a great city council that works hard and understands the value of compromise. Mayor Judge further stated the city staff/employees are second to none and all are working hard to move things forward for the city. Mayor Judge reported the city’s budget is one the top priorities and the new budget year will begin May, 2020. Mayor Judge explained the budget process is difficult partially due to the uncertainty of funding from the State of Illinois. Mayor Judge gave a review of 2019 year: the city hall moved to a new location and is currently in the process of having the interior walls repainted; the year ended with a three percent unemployment rate and tied as the second lowest in Southern Illinois. Mayor Judge reported, also in 2019, he joined the IML board of directors so the City of Mount Carmel could have a voice in Springfield and joined the Southern Illinois Mayors Association to connect more with other local mayors. Mayor Judge stated, in 2019, the Mount Carmel City Airport expanded its services; the planning for the Oak Street Sidewalk project was started; the bringing back of the leaf vac pick-up service throughout the city after a three year hiatus; the expansions at Wabash General Hospital; the taking down of the non-functioning stop lights and the installation of new decorative stop signs along Market Street; and the expansion of Merchant Park with the new stage and signage as well as the additional lot for more events on the corner of Fourth and Market Street. Mayor Judge reported construction happenings in 2019 included four new homes; sixteen additions to existing homes; the addition of Sheldon’s Pharmacy and Ace Hardware in Buehler’s Grocery Store; the Villas of Holly Brook; Stymie’s at the golf course; and the Warrior Village Dorm expansion. Mayor Judge stated the police department is the most visible of the city’s employees and has the most interaction with the city’s citizens. Mayor Judge stated, in 2019, the police department saw a lot of change: Police Chief John Lockhart retired; Ryan Turner was installed as new police chief and Mike McWilliams was named the new detective to replace Ryan Turner; new emphasis was put on foot patrols for all areas of the community in order to be seen more outside of the squad car and the implementing of a positive outreach program to encourage more police/citizens interactions; the first Mount Carmel “Night Out” Event was sponsored at the city swimming pool; provided traffic safety to community groups for 5K and other fundraising events; continued the school officer program for all schools in Wabash County; attended training on the following; response to an active shooter, medical emergency dispatch, sexual assault trauma and formed response, criminal justice summit, attended the annual downstate conference on child abuse, first line supervisors and middle management training, basic lifesaving and CPR instruction, state homicide training, and just started recreational cannabis training. Mayor Judge reported the fire department has been busy with their outreach and training to include: building a new neighborhood services; completed and assisted with the safety evaluation of the Villas of Holly Brook; and held a successful Shop with a Cop/Fireman event. Mayor Judge stated several amazing as well as successful events were held in 2019; Ag Day Festival, the Roots-N-Que Event, the Christmas Uptown Event. Mayor Judge extended “thank yous” to everyone involved and/or associated with the events. Mayor Judge reported on upcoming happenings as the City of Mount Carmel looks forward into 2020: construction of the Oak Street Sidewalk Project will begin; public safety will remain a top priority through enhanced community policing in neighborhood based patrols; outreach programs will continue to strengthen the bonds with the systems we serve; a new addition will be constructed onto the city hall facility; new sidewalk additions in our business districts; work on comprehensive planning for the City of Mount Carmel’s future; looking into a public works department for the city’s workforce; the major expansion at Wabash General Hospital; the opening of several new businesses, as well as many other expansions and businesses coming soon. Mayor Judge stated the city will be launching an inaugural citizens academy to allow Mount Carmel residents to learn more about the city government. The citizens will have an opportunity to learn about several of the city’s departments and how the city functions along with the community itself. Mayor Judge stated Mount Carmel is a great place to grow up, go to school, raise a family, and retire. Mayor Judge asked the citizens to be positive about the city; to get involved, volunteer and vote; get to know your neighbors and be kind to one another. Mayor Judge stated the city is a diverse community and that diversity is the city’s greatest resource as the local businesses are strong supporters of the community, local charities, as well as the children of the community and in turn the businesses need the community’s support. Mayor Judge reiterated everyone in our community is in this together and are making Mount Carmel, a city that everyone is proud to call home. Mayor Judge stated this a time of renewal; a time to reflect on the events of the past year; to make amends as needed; to consider positive changes; and set goals for the new year. Mayor Judge asked residents to please be safe, be thankful, be kind to others and stated that peace be with them
Mayor Judge acknowledged Street Department Employee Art Kimmel, who presented to the council for consideration the possibility of changing the route for the brush pick-up service. Mr. Kimmel stated currently the brush pick-up crew follows the same route as the trash pick-up service. Mr. Kimmel proposed the brush pick-up service run all day only on Monday and Tuesday with the pick- up being in the streets only and not in alleyways. Mr. Kimmel stated on heavy pick up days the service could be carried over to Wednesday, if necessary. Mayor Judge advised that Mr. Kimmel create a map of the proposed new route for the service and the council will readdress the proposal at the next meeting. Mr. Kimmel added that the leaf vac pick-up service is currently not running on a full-time basis; residents with piles of loose leaves to be picked up should call city hall to request the leaves to be picked up.
Mayor Judge introduced Adam Niemerg, who is running for Illinois State Representative for the 109th District. Mr. Niemerg stated one of the reasons he decided to run for office is because of all the recent legislation that was enacted last year. Mr. Niemerg further stated he feels the State of Illinois is going in the wrong direction financially and morally. Mr. Niemerg gave an overview of his political stance and what he would like to see changed if elected to office. Mr. Niemerg thanked the council and those in attendance for the opportunity to speak at the meeting.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks thanked Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter and Street Department Employee Art Kimmel for their hard work and efforts before all the heavy rains last week, as the city did not experience any major flooding issues.
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department took down the Christmas trees and decorations along Market Street; put Santa’s house back into storage; continued burning the brush harbor; filled sand bags; installed the flood gate; cleaned and checked the storm drains; replaced the hydraulic pump on one of the city’s trucks; and attended DOT flagger training last Monday.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the general fund received just under $13,900.00 in receipts and had expenditures of $191,000.00 in the last two weeks. Commissioner Ikemire stated the city is almost seventy percent through the fiscal year and has collected ninety-five percent of the property tax monies; seventy-one percent of the sales tax monies; and seventy-nine percent of the state income tax monies. Commissioner Ikemire reported the city’s finances are stable and the budgeting for the new fiscal year will be starting soon.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar stated Midwest Excavating was awarded the initial bid for the aeration project upgrade at the wastewater plant and will be finalizing the work on the project this week. Commissioner Dulgar reiterated the repairs on the anerobic digestor began in October; the sludge lines have been inspected; Kieffer Brothers Construction and Horrall Electric are working on a packet for the electrical distribution needed for the new equipment for the plant’s upgrades.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water treatment plant’s sediment basins and clarifiers were cleaned as part of the routine maintenance; and Bolden Electric will be onsite this week to install the switch at the Oak Street Booster Station.
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated John Acree was asked to put together cost estimates for the nine locations with water and/or sewer issues in preparation of future planning and possibly adding that expense to the proposed new water treatment plant facility loan.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water maintenance department is repairing a sewer line issue at College Drive/Washington Avenue and performed maintenance work in preparedness of the heavy rains.
COMMISSIONER CHANDLER MADDEN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Madden reported in the last two weeks the fire department responded to eight runs and the regularly scheduled meeting will be held at the fire department this evening.
Commissioner Madden stated the State Fire Marshall encourages residents to have their furnaces as well as their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors checked on a regular basis.
Commissioner Madden announced the Spring Fix-Up/Clean-Up week will be April 6th through 10th. Commissioner Madden reminded residents mattresses must be completely wrapped for Republic Services to pick them up and if items are not picked up it is the resident’s responsibility to dispose or remove the items. Commissioner Madden acknowledged Mayor Judge, who emphasized that if residents have old televisions sitting out to be picked up to please remove them as Republic Services will not pick them up and if they are not removed in a timely manner; residents will receive an ordinance violation notice.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reminded anyone wishing to submit a bid for the mowing of the city cemeteries to please do so as bids will be accepted until the deadline of January 23rd at 4:00 pm.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported within the consent agenda is the agreement with Greater Wabash Fire Protection District for council consideration. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the district trustees met last week and approved 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. Mayor Judge commended the street department for their hard work and efforts in cleaning the streets as well as the storm sewer drains prior to the heavy rains last week.
POLICE CHIEF – RYAN TURNER
Police Chief Turner reported with the changes at the police department last year there has not been a third shift supervisor on the force therefore, Police Detective McWillams, two qualified sergeants and himself have been filling in. Police Chief Turner announced Cody Wall has been promoted to the rank of corporal. Police Chief Turner stated Cody took a written exam and was interviewed by the police/fire commission. Police Chief Turner, along with the council, congratulated Cody on his new position. Mayor Judge commended Cody on his work ethics on the police force and stated he is an asset to the City of Mount Carmel Police Department.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth asked residents if they come upon flooded streets/roads to please do not drive through the water. Fire Chief Speth stated it puts the driver of the vehicle at risk as well as the first responders.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included the agreement with Greater Wabash Fire Protection District (Keensburg Fire) and the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures
Meeting adjourned at 5:37 p.m.
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/8480/01-13-2020.pdf
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