City of Mount Carmel City Council met July 27.
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
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 July 13th, 2020. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Rich Casburn, who was in attendance asking approval for the Eighth Grade Dance for the Mount Carmel, Saint Mary’s, and Allendale students to be held uptown at Merchant’s Park on Tuesday, July 28th. Mr. Casburn requested the street be blocked off along Market Street from the East/West Fourth to the Mount Carmel Public Utility building. Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Witsman, who stated as the Merchants Park is being used more frequently, a check list is being developed to ensure anyone using the park will know what has to be done prior to having an event at the park. After discussing the request, the council gave approval and determined the street closure will be from 6:00 pm from 11:00 pm.
Mayor Judge reported last Wednesday, July 22nd, he went to Waukegan, Illinois to attend meetings with the Illinois Municipal League. Mayor Judge stated he met with the governor’s office as well as representatives from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to discuss the IML’s request to modify the DCEO’s emergency rule implementing the Local Cure Program, which is an offset of the federal government’s Cares Act. Mayor Judge reported the meeting was held to urge the DCEO and the governor’s office to allow municipalities to be able to utilize their full allotment as they see best in accordance with the fraud federal guidance and timelines without additional unnecessary restrictions from the State of Illinois. Mayor Judge explained if a municipality or county has a population of less than 500,000 people the DCEO has put very stringent restrictions on how the money can be spent. Mayor Judge stated the City of Mount Carmel was allotted $300,000.00 and thus far the DCEO has made it very difficult for the city to obtain any of the money. Mayor Judge reported a webinar conference will be held this Wednesday, July 29th at 11:00 am and the city should have a better idea concerning their allotment. Mayor Judge stated updates will be provided once they are received and once the final updated ruling is complete, after more discussions are held with the DCEO along with the governor’s office.
Mayor Judge thanked the Mount Carmel Rotary Club for their clean-up work along Market Street and some of the auxiliary streets last Thursday, July 23rd.
Mayor Judge presented a preliminary rending for new restrooms at the city park. Mayor Judge stated there will be two uni-sex restrooms which will be placed in the middle of the park. Mayor Judge reported this is a newly proposed project that will hopefully be started in the fall.
Mayor Judge stated he was notified that it could be mid to late September before any updates are received regarding the Rebuild Illinois Grant that was applied for pertaining to the city swimming pool and to Wabash General Hospital.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department continued to mow city properties; completed the parking lot work at the pickleball courts; trimmed low lying limbs in preparation of the chip/seal of city streets; poured concrete back for the water maintenance department after the repair of a water main break at West Ninth and Chestnut Streets; did repairs on the street department tractor; and cleaned intakes.
Commissioner Meeks stated the chip/seal program has been rescheduled for August 3rd and 4th, weather permitting.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the State of Illinois is on an approximate three-month delay with payments to the city. Commissioner Ikemire stated the city’s budget at this time is better than he had anticipated it would be due to the repercussions of COVID 19.
Commissioner Ikemire stated Botsch and Associates will be conducting the audit of the city’s finances for last year.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the required monthly EPA water samples had been turned in by Lead Operator Keith Reed and the results all came back clear. Commissioner Dulgar stated Keith is still visiting other newer water treatment facilities to learn the pros and cons to help determine what is best suited for the city’s proposed new water treatment plant. Commissioner Dulgar praised Lead Operator Reed for his work at the water treatment plant. Commissioner Dulgar stated meetings are being held on a regular basis with Donahue and Three I Design regarding the new water treatment facility.
Commissioner Dulgar reminded residents to please pay their water bill especially if it is past due as September 8th is the deadline to be current on the bill.
Commissioner Dulgar, on behalf of the Mount Carmel Little League, thanked Art Kimmel and crew as well as all city employees who helped in getting the ball fields ready before the games. Commissioner Dulgar stated the major league teams will end tonight and the other leagues will be ending next week.
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated Donahue, Three I Design and himself went before the zoning board seeking the board’s recommendation regarding the variances needed for the design of the proposed water treatment facility. Commissioner Dulgar acknowledged Nick Knapp with Three I Design, who stated the current water treatment plant was constructed prior to the establishment of the city’s zoning districts and stated a variance was needed to allow the construction of a commercial building in residential zoned area of the city. Mr. Knapp further stated the second variance is for the allowance of a four-foot setback off the Hinde Street side of the plant. City Administrative Assistant interjected by stating the zoning board unanimously approved both variances.
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 fifteen runs. Commissioner Madden announced the fire department is currently accepting applications for volunteer firefighters until August 3rd and the applications may be picked up at the fire station or are available on the fire station’s website. Commissioner Madden stated a volunteer firefighter exam held on August 8th, for those who apply.
Commissioner Madden reiterated that residents should eliminate any standing water in their yards to help alleviate mosquitos and to please check their trash cans, bird baths, or any other places which could hold water. Commissioner Madden stated the mosquito spraying throughout the city is still ongoing.
Commissioner Madden reported the renovations and the addition at city hall is progressing.
Commissioner Madden thanked the Wabash County of Commerce, the Wabash County Retail Merchants Committee, and anyone else who has organized events at Merchant’s Park. Commissioner Madden thanked the community for their support in attending the events.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported within the consent agenda is Resolution 670 – the grant program application for Singh Hospitality, which is similar to the other recent downstate grant applications and stated a resolution of support is required in accordance to the grant guidelines. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported also within the consent is Resolution 671, which is a request for the placement of stop signs at the intersection of Bainum Street and Sweeney Avenue with the signs being placed on each side of Sweeney Avenue. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the need for stop signs at that intersection was brought to the attention to Commissioner Meeks by a concerned citizen. City Administrative Assistant Witsman added the annual fundraising request at the designated intersections from the Knights of Columbus is also included within the consent agenda. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated two variances for the water treatment plant are included in the consent agenda, as well; one allowing the construction within a residential area and the other to reduce the setback requirements.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated at a prior council meeting the consideration of a “Bring Your Own Bottle” ordinance was presented, per a request from a local business owner. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the council tabled a decision, as there was some confusion as to what the ordinance “did or didn’t do”. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated he has “reissued” the ordinance for council consideration. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the ordinance allows for the issuance of a consecutive forty-eight-hour permit for alcohol to be served at an establishment located in the City of Mount Carmel and that does not have a liquor license. City Administrative Assistant further explained, as the State of Illinois law is currently written, as well as the city’s ordinances; if an individual wishes to walk in to an establishment that does not serve alcohol, that individual may bring in their own alcoholic beverage to drink. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated this ordinance precludes that from happening in the future and asked the council to review the ordinance, which he anticipates presenting at the next council meeting for approval.
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 Easter absent.
POLICE CHIEF – RYAN TURNER
Police Chief Turner no report.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth absent.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included approval of Resolution 670 – Singh Hospitality Application Grant Program; approval of Resolution 671 – Install a stop sign at the intersection of Bainum and Sweeney; approval of variance – City of Mount Carmel Water Plant in residential zone; approval of variance – City of Mount Carmel Water Plant reduce setback requirement; approval of the K of C fund raising on city streets; approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:32 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/8494/07-27-20_minutes.pdf
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