SE Illinois News

City of Mount Carmel City Council met Feb. 10.

Here is the minutes 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, 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 Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on January 27th, 2020. All present voted Aye by voice vote.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge acknowledged Don Kensell, who on behalf of Saint John the Baptist Episcopal, invited the community to the celebration of the retirement of Father Brant Hazlett on Saturday, February 29th beginning at 3:00 pm with a reception following from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Mr. Kensell also announced the Mount Carmel Public Library Foundation Board is hosting a fundraising event, “Be My Valentine” Trivia Night on Saturday, February 22nd at the Mount Carmel VFW with doors opening at 6:00 pm and the trivia contest beginning at 7:00 pm. Mr. Kensall gave a third announcement by stating the Eighth Grade Boys Jr. Aces basketball team won the regional championship game and the team will be playing in the state tournament this Saturday, February 15th at Rend Lake College. Mr. Kensell stated a pep assembly will be held at 2:10 pm on Thursday, February 13th in the main gym at the high school. Mr. Kensell encouraged residents to support the Jr. Aces by attending the basketball game and/or the pep assembly. Mr. Kensell continued by addressing the council with concerns regarding the recyclables that are accepted at the city’s dump site and where they go once the bins are full. Mayor Judge stated the dumpsters containing the recyclables are taken to the recycling center in Terre Haute, Indiana. Mayor Judge acknowledged Commissioner Madden who clarified the city only accepts cardboard and plastic as recyclables at the dump site and stated he had mis-spoke at the last council meeting.

Mayor Judge acknowledged Mike Harris, who reiterated the State of Illinois was not allowing any signage acknowledging achievements of athletic or academic unless it was a “first place” honor. Mr. Harris stated the State of Illinois will now allow the city to put up a sign, only, on outer North Cherry Street, which is also Illinois Highway One. Mr. Harris presented to the council a sign, that he had made, honoring the Lady Aces Golf Team and was seeking council approval to have the sign put up somewhere near the entrance to the golf course/city park. The council gave their approval for the sign and stated the street department will put the sign up. The mayor and the council also thanked Mr. Harris for his contribution of the sign.

Mayor Judge acknowledged Webelo’s Den Cub Scout Pack #293, who were in attendance to earn their “Skills to Build a Better World” badge. Mayor Judge welcomed the scouts to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance.

Mayor Judge congratulated the Jr. Aces basketball team for winning the regional tournament and moving on to the state playoff. Mayor Judge reported the Saint Mary’s and Allendale School Co-op had an exciting weekend as they participated in the state basketball tournament. Mayor Judge stated he is very proud of the Saint Mary’s and Allendale players.

Mayor Judge stated some changes have and will be made to the city pool: a new roof was put on the building, changes will be made to the appearance of the building, and new rules will be implemented. Mayor Judge announced applications are now being accepted for pool manager, life guard, concessions workers and cleaning positions. Mayor Judge stated employment applications may be turned into city hall Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Mayor Judge reported he is working with Wabash Valley College on providing the lifeguarding classes in March for anyone who is interested in being a lifeguard and does not have their certification.

Mayor Judge emphasized he and the council along with Area Economic Alliance Representative Craig Newman and business owners are working very hard on bringing new jobs to the City of Mount Carmel. Mayor Judge stated the process is slow, however all are working hard with new and existing companies in hopes of expanding their businesses here. Mayor Judge is anticipating good results in the near future to come out of the work that is currently transpiring in order to make the city a better place. Mayor Judge reported all are working hard to fill Hogg Heaven and Borowiaks as well as build in the enterprise area for new businesses.

Mayor Judge stated some of the departments have been in the need of vehicles and the city was able to join the federal government surplus vehicle program. Mayor Judge reported the purchase amounts are basically half price and two vehicles were recently purchased as he along with Commissioner Meeks travelled to Wisconsin to pick them up. Mayor Judge stated the vehicles are used but very nice and the price was less than half the retail value.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS

Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department has continued to fill potholes; repaired a tire on the loader; serviced all the street department equipment; worked on storm sewer inlet on Sarah Drive; continued working and welding on the truck bed for water/sewer maintenance; cleaned the boat ramp after the river level lowered; had the bucket truck boom repaired in Evansville; took the City Hall and Chamber of Commerce signs down at the old city hall building.

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 had receipts in the amount of $81,494.00 and expenditures of $95,844.00. Commissioner Ikemire stated the city’s finances are holding steady and are currently ahead of schedule. Commissioner Ikemire noted the water fund is doing well with $329,000.00 and the sewer fund is at $659,500.00.

COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Dulgar arrived at the meeting at 5:20 pm and was not present for roll call by City Administrative Assistant Witsman.

Commissioner Dulgar reiterated at a prior council meeting he had presented a report regarding some areas in the city with sewer and/or water issues. Commissioner Dulgar stated he would like to move forward with four of the projects and apply for the required permits. Commissioner Dulgar reported those areas include Division Street between West Third Street and West Fifth Street; West Second Street between Bellmont Street and Poplar Street; West Tenth Street between Walnut Street and Cedar Street; North Cherry Street from East Thirteenth Street to Sarah Drive. Commissioner Dulgar stated the water/sewer maintenance department is investigating the water issues at Lambert Drive and will perform those repairs.

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 ten runs and a regularly scheduled fire meeting will be held at 6:00 pm this evening at the fire station.

Commissioner Madden reminded residents the Spring Fix-Up/Clean will be April 6th through the 10th.

Commissioner Madden announced the Sixteenth Annual Guns and Hoses fundraising event is Sunday, March 8th and the proceeds with be donated to the Merchants Park.

Commissioner Madden reported today was the first day for the new yard waste route; which is Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Commissioner Madden stated branches to be picked up for mulching may be any length but the ends cannot be attached to a root system and items such as construction wood, pieces of fencing, branches with nails/spikes or pieces of old doors cannot be mulched and must be disposed of by others means by the residents. Commissioner Madden further stated contractor generated brush will not be collected; small brush and yard waste may be placed in bio- degradable yard waste bags or trash/paper bags for pickup by the brush crew.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN

City Administrative Assistant Witsman presented to the council for consideration; the vacation of the alleyway that is adjacent to Storage Express on Outer West Third Street. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported Storage Express purchased the property next to their existing facility and the alleyway is not being used. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated Storage Express now owns the properties on both sides of the alleyway and have expressed an interest in having the city vacate the alleyway. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported Storage Express has completed all the requirements for the possible vacation. City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked council approval to direct the city attorney to draw up the necessary paperwork for the vacation therefore, he can present those documents at the next council meeting for final approval.

City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported several years ago the city passed a resolution to allow the school district the use of a road which ran from East Third Street to Plum Street. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the street is not open to thru traffic and reported the school district could be receiving grant monies to resurface their parking lot, which would include that street area. City Administrative Assistant Witsman clarified the school district has to own that area in order to be eligible to receive the funds and recommended the city vacate that street area. City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked council approval to direct the city attorney to draw up the necessary paperwork for this vacation, as well.

City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated monies have been previously used from TIF funds to assist with the Façade Grant program for improvements along Market Street. City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked council approval to continue the program for the 2020 year.

City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported bids were received at the last council meeting for the mowing of the city’s cemeteries. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated four proposals were submitted and Crystal Kimmel has withdrawn her proposal. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported he has reviewed the three remaining proposals; visited with the three companies and has determined two out of the three companies do not have the adequate equipment to be able to take care of the cemeteries, however, those two companies stated they would purchase the needed equipment if awarded the contract. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated two of the companies do not have experience performing commercial mowing and the third company, K & K Small Jobs has commercial mowing experience as well as cemetery mowing in Edwards County/Grayville. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported, normally the lowest bidder is awarded the contract, however he felt the city would be better served to select someone with cemetery mowing experience. City Administrative Assistant Witsman recommended the council award the mowing contract to K & K Small Jobs. After discussing the submitted bids and City Administrative Assistant Witsman’s recommendation, the council voted to award the contract to K & K Small Jobs.

CITY ATTORNEY – KELLI STORCKMAN

City Attorney Storckman reported within the consent agenda is an ordinance for consideration, which moves the poultry and livestock ordinance from the zoning appendix, as it was hard to find. City Attorney Storckman stated the language of the ordinance did not change and the sole purpose was to make the ordinance more accessible.

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 the police department has two policy manual changes that need to be addressed by the council. Police Chief Turner stated one is a change in the State of Illinois Cannabis Law, which states police officers are not allowed to smoke or partake in the use of cannabis even though the state legalized cannabis. Police Chief Turner reported the second policy change that needs to addressed is the clarification of the rank for the eligibility for police detective from five years to three years, as the police department is a young force. Police Chief Turner stated he has conferred with City Attorney Storckman. The council motioned to approve Police Chief Turner’s recommendations.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH

Fire Chief Speth absent.

BUSINESS MOTIONS

Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the recommendation from Chief of Police Ryan Turner for the Police Policy Manual regrading cannabis and years of service requirement to take the detective exam. All present voted Aye by voice vote.

Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the bid from K&K Small Jobs to mow Sandhill and Rose Hill Cemeteries. The bid amount $20,400.00 for the 2020 mowing season. All present voted Aye by roll call vote.

Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures and Ordinance 2026 – Restricting poultry and livestock within the City – rearranging location within our current zoning book using the current restrictions and waive second reading. All present voted Aye by voice vote.

Meeting adjourned at 5:34 p.m.

https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/8482/02-10-20_minutes.pdf