City of Mount Carmel City Council met May 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
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 and two members of the news media.
Due to the governor’s executive order regarding COVID-19 attendance was limited.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Judge requested a motion to approve the minutes of the last council meeting.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on April 20th, 2020. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge stated the construction on the expansion of city hall has started. Mayor Judge stated Kieffer Brothers Construction began the construction work last week and are on schedule with no delays as of yet.
Mayor Judge reported the asphalt has been laid for the parking lot area for the pickleball courts and the street department has been working on the parking lot area this week. Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman, who asked if the parking lot is for the pickleball courts only. Mayor Judge stated the parking lot is a universal parking area that can also be used by people in the park and the golf course as well as for other events at the park. Mayor Judge further stated additional parking has been needed for a very long time and this was the opportune time with the addition of the pickleball courts by the Pickleball Club.
Mayor Judge announced the State of Illinois’ Stay at Home order has been extended to May 29th. Mayor Judge reported he had an online meeting with the Illinois Mayors Association and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot acknowledged she foresees that Southern Illinois will reopen before Chicago. Mayor Judge stated he is in hopes that those predictions are true. Mayor Judge reported he is to form a reopening task force for the City of Mount Carmel. Mayor Judge stated the task force will determine the safest way to reopen the city as well as Wabash County and he is to submit a report to Governor Pritzker. Mayor Judge reported Governor Pritzker announced last Friday that regions which saw low virus outbreaks will be opened up first.
Mayor Judge stated he has been asked by many individuals if the city swimming pool will be open this summer unfortunately at this time he does not know. Mayor Judge reported the Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike released a report emphasizing great concerns in the opening of municipality pools this summer in regards to COVID 19. Mayor Judge stated a decision will be made regarding the pool once the city receives information back from the Public Health Department.
Mayor Judge reported he met with Mike Bridges from Charleston Engineering last week and the City of Mount Carmel is excited to announce it will be applying for an “Open Space Land and Development Grant” from the federal government for improvements to the city swimming pool. Mayor Judge stated the proposed improvements to the pool would include a new filtration system, a splash park, and extension of the fence to include an area for chairs and loungers. Mayor Judge further stated the design by the engineering firm will include a new fountain as the current fountain is in desperate need of restoration. Mayor Judge reported the existing pool structure itself will not change, however plans envisioned by City Administrative Assistant Witsman in 1992 will hopefully be implemented to create an up to date splash park for the city. Mayor Judge anticipates being awarded grant money to help pay for the improvements to the pool, as Charleston Engineering has been successful in helping other municipalities with the same type of grant.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks stated the golf course reopened on May 1st with restrictions; only two persons at a time may tee-off, individuals must walk the course if they are physically able, anyone with a handicap may use a golf cart with only one person per cart allowed.
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department continued to patch potholes in streets and alleyways; mowed ditch areas with the arm mower; repaired a low lying area between East Fourth and East Fifth Streets near the levee that was having drainage problems; removed an area of sidewalk and culvert along with cleaning out the ditch at the wastewater plant to alleviate draining issues; the parking area by city hall along East Seventh was asphalted and striped; continued to mow city properties; performed yard abatements; repaired the exhaust system on one of the trucks and repaired the trailer used to haul city mowers.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire stated receipts were limited during the last two weeks and were just over $15,000.00 with expenditures at approximately $117,500.00. Commissioner Ikemire reported the city’s finances are looking positive thus far as the city is entering into a fiscal year of uncertainty.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water maintenance department installed new water services and new meter yokes, called in “Julie” line utility services for two possible locations for the proposed Oak Street water fountain; and performed routine maintenance. Commissioner Dulgar reiterated last fall the city agreed to install a water fountain on Oak Street; however, at this time the fountain will only be installed and not turned on due to the COVID 19 situation.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water treatment plant’s consumer report for 2019 is complete and available online for residents to view. Commissioner Dulgar reported the water treatment plant will begin cleaning the sediment basins as part of its routine maintenance. Commissioner Dulgar stated the engineering firm is at the point to hopefully move forward with the proposed new water treatment plant. Commissioner Dulgar reported he will be presenting that proposal to the council for approval in the near future. Commissioner Dulgar acknowledged Mayor Judge, who emphasized that citizens need to understand that the time has come to consider a new water treatment plant as the current plant is almost one-hundred years old even though it has been remodeled two times and has had new technology added. Mayor Judge stated the time has come unfortunately to look into building a new facility and Commissioner Dulgar will report on the details at an upcoming council meeting.
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 twelve runs.
Commissioner Madden stated the Spring Fix-Up/Clean-Up week is next week, May 11th through May 15th. Commissioner Madden reminded residents that Republic Services will not pick up refrigerators, electronics, televisions, paint unless it has been dried up with sand and/or cat litter, construction lumber, microwaves, mattresses and box springs unless they are completely wrapped in plastic. Commissioner Madden emphasized the residents need to understand if items are not picked up by Republic Services it is their responsibility to remove the items in a timely manner and items should be set out on the regular trash day during pick up, not before. Commissioner Madden asked residents to please be patience with the extra items being picked up as sometimes Republic Services runs behind on getting the items picked up on schedule. Commissioner Madden stated everyone’s cooperation is greatly appreciated and to please call city hall with questions/concerns.
Commissioner Madden asked residents to please do not put extra items on the ground next to their trash totes during the regular trash pickup as Republic Services will not pick up those items up.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported it was brought to his attention by Airport Manager Chad Hill, there is sufficient federal monies available through the CARES Act to proceed with the possibility of building a five-bay hanger at the city airport. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the approximate cost for the hanger is $385,000.00 with the city’s portion being $22,000.00. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported he is seeking council approval to allow Hanson Engineering to begin the study for the hanger and to prepare the paperwork for the grant application. City Administrative Assistant Witsman acknowledged Mayor Judge, who stated the new hanger will generate income for the airport as there are people wanting to rent a bay at the city’s airport to store their airplanes and there is no space available now.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to approve the selection of Hanson Engineering to design a five-bay hanger for the airport. Funding for the project will come from the CARES Act. The maximum amount of the construction cost for the City is $22,000.00. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included approval of Ordinance 2036 – Dissolving TIF 3 and the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 4:23
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/8488/05-04-2020_minutes.pdf
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