City of Mt. Carmel City Council met June 1.
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.
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 May 18th, 2020. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge reported things are changing in the area and businesses are opening back up with the third phase for this region of the Restore Illinois COVID 19 Plan. Mayor Judge stated he is grateful restaurants are able to seat customers outside and the city is working with all area businesses as best it can to accommodate their needs. Mayor Judge reported he is in hopes the state will “lighten” up on some of its restrictions in the coming weeks before the start of fourth phase. Mayor Judge anticipates seeing better days soon.
Mayor Judge stated, unfortunately, there is no new update for the opening of the city pool as the IDPH has not given any indication, even in Phase Four, of municipal swimming pools opening for the summer. Mayor Judge reiterated at the last council meeting he had discussed applying for a grant for a splash park as well as other improvements at the pool. Mayor Judge reported he has now learned about the Fast Track Grant and application must be submitted by June 15th with the stipulation the city has to be “shovel ready” in ninety days, if awarded the grant monies. Mayor Judge stated the city is working with Charleston Engineering on the grant application, which is a one hundred percent grant for up to a million dollars and with no matching of funds. Mayor Judge explained, if the city is fortunate enough to be awarded the grant monies, the swimming pool could not then open this summer even if the IDPH allows the opening in Phase Four of the Restore Illinois COVID 19 Plan. Mayor Judge added, if awarded the grant monies, the city should receive notification by the beginning of July.
Mayor Judge stated the city is moving ahead with the July 4th fireworks and the celebration will not be cancelled. Mayor Judge reported, however, there will be changes to the event from years past and the fireworks vendor as well as District #348 has been contacted with the city’s expectations to hold the event.
Mayor Judge reported for Police Chief Turner by reminding residents that underage drivers are not allowed to drive golf carts and UTVs in the city, per the city ordinance guidelines. Mayor Judge stated the police department has received several reports of non-licensed drivers driving golf carts and UTVs. Mayor Judge emphasized if underage drivers are caught, they will be ticketed and the golf cart owner will lose their right of driving the golf cart/UTV on city streets. Mayor Judge stressed state law requires a driver’s license to drive golf carts and UTV’s. Mayor Judge stated further for Police Chief Turner by reminding residents to please do not drive on the state highways within the city limits expect for the designated crossings. Mayor Judge reported the signs for those designated crossings should be installed soon.
Mayor Judge read a proclamation declaring June 2020 as “Revive Our Economy” month to support our local businesses; to help grow our local economy; and put our residents back to work as citizens of our local community. Mayor Judge signed the proclamation in the presence of the council members.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks stated the street department has been moving picnic tables from the city park to area restaurants to help their business recover by allowing customers to dine outside.
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department performed yard abatements; continued to mow city properties; parks and the levee; repaired the arm mower; cut down and cleaned up five trees; patched potholes; cleaned mud off the boat ramp; cleaned the brush harbor area; compressed the full dumpsters at the city dump site; weed-eated and sprayed around the levee. Commissioner Meeks acknowledged Mayor Judge, who stated the work and efforts by the street department are greatly appreciated as several duties fall on the departments’ shoulders.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the city received approximately $28,000 in receipts and had approximately $170,000 in expenditures in the last two weeks, however the city’s finances are still holding steady. Commissioner Ikemire noted he spoke with Police Chief Turner and the police department has sold one hundred-ten golf cart permits, which is $5500 in additional revenue for the police department.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported, after four plus years, the city is finally at the point to begin discussing a new water treatment facility. Commissioner Dulgar stated Terry Boyer from Donohue Engineering Services along with Nick Knapp from Three I Design are in attendance to present to the council renderings of a water treatment facility. Commissioner Dulgar reported the time has come for a new water treatment facility as the current plant was built over eighty years ago; the EPA requirements are a challenger to meet at the current facility; and the current facility is not structurally capable of being upgraded. Commissioner Dulgar acknowledged Mr. Boyer, who gave a recap of the process of reaching the final steps for a new water treatment facility and Nick Knapp, who gave an explanation of the proposed new facility renderings. Mr. Boyer stated the State Historic Preservation Office has granted permission for the city to take down the old water treatment facility, however a recording process has to be done to register the old facility with the preservation office. Commissioner Dulgar stated the city wanted to maintain the old water plant to use as a maintenance facility however, it was not feasible due to all the State of Illinois rules and regulations. Mr. Boyer gave an overview of the future processes and requirements needed to be met in order to move forward to complete the new water treatment facility for the City of Mount Carmel. After discussing the pros/cons of a new facility; the potential water rate increases; and the feasibility of constructing a new facility at this time, the council decided to move forward with the designing of a new water treatment facility. City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked council for a motion authorizing Mayor Judge and himself to enter into the agreement with Donohue Engineering Services.
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 several runs.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the Mount Carmel Airport has some surplus property and asked for council approval to take sealed bids for the selling of the surplus.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated a public hearing was held on May 27th at city hall regarding the CDBG application received from Shriji Maharaj Hospitality LLC, which was made available through the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program. City Administrative Witsman stated approval of Resolution 664 – Support of the Shriji Maharaj Hospitality LLC grant application is contained within the consent agenda.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman readdressed the start time of the council meetings and asked the council if they wished to go back to the 4:00 pm start time or to continue with the original 5:00 pm start time. After a brief discussion, the council decided meetings will be held at 5:00 pm.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to approve the sale by sealed bid of surplus property at the airport. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to enter into an agreement with Donohue Engineering Services to complete a final design of a new water treatment plant for the City of Mount Carmel. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included approval of Resolution 664 – support of Shriji Maharaj Hospitality LLC grant application and the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:45 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/8490/06-01-2020_minutes.pdf
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