City of Mt. Carmel City Council met Feb. 24.
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, 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 Meeks seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on February 10th, 2020. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Dr. Maqbool Ahmed, who was in attendance to announce the proposed development of an estimated $5 million acute care psychiatric/behavioral health facility on Enterprise Lane. Dr. Ahmed, along with Dr. Wasim Sajid, will build the facility under the name of Emrica LLC. Dr. Ahmed stated Emrica LLC already has a similar facility in Benton, KY. Dr. Ahmed further stated the proposed facility in Mount Carmel could service nine counties from the surrounding area as now the closest Illinois facility is two hours from Mount Carmel. Dr. Ahmed gave an overview of the need for this type of facility and the services the facility would provide. Mayor Judge stated the area of land needed for the facility is approximately five acres and Emrica LLC has to be the owner of the property in order to proceed with the required state licensing. Mayor Judge reported the purchase price of the land would be $10,000 and upon completion of the facility the city would reimburse Emrica the $10,000 as well as work with Emrica on TIF and Enterprise benefits for that area. Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Witsman, who stated the city will develop an agreement that will transfer ownership of the property and present the agreement at an upcoming council meeting for approval.
Mayor Judge thanked Dr. Ahmed and his partner for their commitment to grow in the City of Mount Carmel. Mayor Judge stated the announcement is very exciting for the city and will make a huge impact on families throughout the region, not only just in Mount Carmel.
Mayor Judge congratulated MCHS Coach Logan Crum and the MCHS Wrestling Team. Mayor Judge congratulated Nate Critchfield, who finished in third place in the state tournament; Dayton Hall, who finished in sixth place and Cade Keepes, who also competed in the tournament.
Mayor Judge reported there is “orange fencing” around the building at West Sixth and Market Streets as the building has been determined to be a public risk. Mayor Judge stated the owner has been notified that he has a fifteen-day time frame to bring the structure up to code. Mayor Judge reported after the fifteen-day time frame and if the owner does not comply, the city will have to move forward with an asbestos inspection to determine how much to remediate the expense of the demolition of the structure.
Mayor Judge stated the Illinois Department of Transportation has given notice that they will be washing and sealing the structure deck and the structure walls of the bridge, which carries Illinois Highway Fifteen over the Wabash River into Indiana. Mayor Judge further stated IDOT will assume all the costs of the improvement with no financial or maintenance responsibility to the City of Mount Carmel. Mayor Judge reported the project bid letting is tentatively scheduled for March 6th, 2020 and once the bid has been awarded the state will determine a date for the repair work to begin.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department continued to patch potholes; repaired the wheel and tire on one of the loaders; reinstalled the cylinder on the street sweeper; worked on painting and replacing barricades; put up the security fence at West Sixth and Market Streets along with blocking the alleyway; worked on fixing and installing the ice machine from the former Elks facility; continued working on cleaning up the brush pile at the brush harbor; and continued the fabrication work on the truck bed for the water/sewer maintenance department.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials. Commissioner Ikemire absent.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar gave an update on the aeration project at the waste water plant and stated the electrical work, the stop gates, the removal of the generator as well as the ground rework need to be completed. Commissioner Dulgar reported the anaerobic digestor project is moving forward, which is the third and final stage of the projects that need to be completed. Commissioner Dulgar stated Horrall Electric and Kieffer Brothers Construction have been working to determine the electrical distribution system needed, per the upgraded requirements, as the original system in the project bid is unfortunately not adequate. Commissioner Dulgar reported the number one screw pump at the wastewater plant failed. Commissioner Dulgar stated Wastewater Plant Employee Stephen Roe is taking classes in order to obtain his wastewater plant certification.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the maintenance department has performed its scheduled cleaning of the sewer mains.
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated at the last council meeting he had discussed some possible water and sewer updates. Commissioner Dulgar stated he will readdress the possible updates during the upcoming budget meetings for the new fiscal year.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the final estimated costs for the proposed water treatment facility should be available in April. Commissioner Dulgar stated this will help the city have a better idea of what needs to be worked toward in the next three to four years.
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated the Oak Street Booster Station switch was repaired but unfortunately it is still not transmitting to the generator. Commissioner Dulgar stated Evapar will be here Thursday to troubleshoot and try to resolve the issue.
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 provided mutual aid at a fire in Gibson County.
Commissioner Madden stated the state fire marshal recently released the following reminders regarding the importance of fire safety for seniors: know two ways out of every room; move any items that block your way out of a room or your home; discuss your fire escape with your family and/or neighbors; contact your building manager or fire department to discuss your plan of need with extra help in escaping in the event of a fire; keep eyeglasses, keys, hearing aids and phone within reach next to your bed; and practice your home fire escape drill twice a year.
Commissioner Madden reminded the Guns and Hoses Event will be Sunday, March 8th at the Mount Carmel Grade School with the first game starting at 12:45 pm. Commissioner Madden stated admission is $5.00 per person with the proceeds going to the Merchants Park.
Commissioner Madden stated the Spring Fix-Up/Clean-Up week is April 6th through April 10th.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman, who reiterated several months ago the “PickleBall” Club presented a proposal to the council for the construction of pickleball courts. City Administrative Assistant Witsman presented to the council for approval the agreement which allows the construction of the “courts” to begin at the city park.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated at the last council meeting the vacation of an alleyway on West Third Street adjacent to the Storage Express facility and the vacation of a portion of Plum Street near the high school was discussed. City Administrative Assistant reported ordinances for both of the vacations have been developed and stated this meeting constitutes the first reading of Ordinance 2027 and Ordinance 2028.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated three ordinances regulating cannabis business in establishments were listed on the agenda and reported those ordinances are not ready to present at this time.
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 was in attendance but had to leave the meeting to respond to a police call. Mayor Judge commended Police Chief Turner and Police Detective Mike McWilliams for diligently taking on extra work shifts without extra pay as fellow officers may take vacation time, etc. to be with their families. Mayor Judge stated a fitness test is upcoming for anyone wishing to apply as a police officer and the information is on the police department’s facebook page.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reminded citizens to please do not park in the fire lanes at the local businesses and schools, as the lanes need to be clear in the event of an emergency. Fire Chief acknowledged Mayor Judge, who reminded residents there is no opening burning and/or burning of yard waste in the city.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to approve the Pickleball Agreement. All present voted Aye by Voice Vote. Commissioner Ikemire was absent.
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. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:44 p.m.
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/8483/02-24-20_minutes.pdf
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