Wabash Community Unit School District #348 Board of Education met Sept. 8.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
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
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 August 24th, 2020. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Darrell Smith, who was in attendance representing the residents of Tower Heights to express their concerns about COVID 19 and the safety of living in the apartment complex as several of the residents could be considered “high risk”. Mr. Smith stated he has spoken to the Tower Heights Manager and Wabash County Health Department as there has been one confirmed case at the complex. Mr. Smith further stated he was informed that it is against the law to post a notice at the building of the confirmed case. Mr. Smith explained the residents wish to be better informed so they can take extra necessary precautions, if so desired. Mr. Smith asked the council for guidance on what changes can be done to better protect the apartment complex as well as our community. Mayor Judge stated he has reached out to Tower Heights Manage Tina Belt and Wabash County Health Department Agency Administrator Judy Wissel with no recourse. Mayor Judge recommended that Mr. Smith contact the Housing Authority Board as the city does not have authority over Tower Heights apartments. Mayor Judge affirmed he will to look into the situation further to try to help rectify the concerns.
Mayor Judge reported the City of Mount Carmel is now the owner of the properties located at the 534 and 536 Market Street. Mayor Judge stated an agreement has been worked out with the previous owner and the buildings have been donated to the city. Mayor Judge reported the buildings are in very bad condition and have fallen in on top of themselves with the second floor now being in the basement. Mayor Judge asked council approval to grant City Administrative Assistant Witsman and himself the authority to work with a local contractor for an established bid to have the buildings demolished with the bid to not exceed $70,000.00. Mayor Judge clarified that TIF funds will be used for the demolition expense. Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Witsman, who stated the previous owner purchased the property from Wabash County through the delinquent tax sale and was not totally aware of the condition of the buildings. City Administrative Assistant Witsman explained once the city verified the owner of the property, the city commenced trying to have the owner bring the buildings up to code, which involved various legalities and expense. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the owner willingly donated the buildings to avoid the legal entanglements and expense.
Mayor Judge stated work on the basketball courts at the city park is progressing and thanked everyone that has made a donation for the upgrade of the courts.
Mayor Judge announced the old city hall building is for sale and sealed bids are being accepted until October 1st for the building while the purchase of the parking lots around the building would be discussed at a later time. Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Witsman, who stated the building has a relatively new roof with the warranty being transferrable and new heating/air conditioning units. Mayor Judge clarified the city would have had to bring the building up to municipal code and the expense would have been more than it cost to purchase the current city hall building.
Mayor Judge reported the vacant lot located next to 510 N. Market Street as well as the former “Hadley’s” lot is for lease or purchase from the city and anyone interested should please contact City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman or himself. Mayor Judge stated the city has the right to reject any bids that are submitted.
Mayor Judge reiterated at a prior council meeting the “old girl scout “cabin was discussed and now is the time to make a decision on what to do with the building. Mayor Judge asked the council to be prepared to discuss the outcome of the building as he would like to present it at the next meeting for council decision.
Mayor Judge announced the Mount Carmel Rotary Club will be starting their fundraising drive for a new main shelter house and restrooms at the city park. Mayor Judge stated the club will have a cookout this Saturday, September 12th at the Hogg Heaven BBQ auction. Mayor Judge encouraged citizens to support the Rotary Club with the fundraising project.
Mayor Judge stated he has been asked about Trick or Treating and anticipates making a decision in early October, which will be based on recommendations from the IDPH and the CDC.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department continued to mow city parks, properties and the levees; tore out and re-poured concrete for the repairing of Empire Street; repaired one of the mowers; patched potholes in streets and alleys; and put up the golf cart crossing signs in the areas of the city where carts may legally cross state highways.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the city received $11,888.00 in receipts for the general fund in the last two weeks and expenditures were in the amount of $83,000.00. Commissioner Ikemire noted $73,321.00 in revenues were received in the water fund and hopefully most of the monies were for water bill payments as the fund was showing close to $90,000.00 in outstanding past due water bills. City Administrative Assistant Witsman interjected by stating today was the final day for residents to pay without a penalty and unfortunately the next step is the shutting off of water for those individuals who did not pay.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar absent.
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 eleven runs.
Commissioner Madden reminded residents to remove any standing water on their property to help eliminate mosquitos. Commissioner Madden stated even with the weather cooling off mosquitos are still a nuisance.
Commissioner Madden stated the outside work on the city hall renovation is still ongoing; concrete for the back parking lot has been poured as well as finished and is waiting to be striped; stone work has been put up on the exterior of the building in the past week; and three new flag poles were also installed in front of the building.
Commissioner Madden reported an “Electronic Take Back Day” will be held at the end of October for the residents of Mount Carmel. Commissioner Madden stated CJD E-Cycling of Edwardsville, Illinois will be holding the recycling event. Commissioner Madden stated items that will be accepted with no fee are computers, printers, fax machines, scanners, networking equipment, phones/cell phones, home electronics, and home appliances. Commissioner Madden reported items that will be accepted but charged a fee are cot projectors; plasma, flat screen and console televisions; alkaline and rechargeable batteries. Commissioner Madden stated the amount of that fee as well as the location for the recycling day will be announced at a later date. Commissioner Madden added the Fall Fix-Up/Clean-Up week is scheduled for the week of October 5th through October 9th.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported within the consent agenda is the ordinance regarding the variance for the water treatment plant. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated the variance was approved by the zoning board and this is the final ordinance that was prepared to approve Ordinance 2039.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated also within the consent agenda is Resolution 674 as well as the ordinance authorizing a TIF agreement with Sam Case, the owner of Starcade. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the agreement contains stipulations as far as following the city’s codes and guidelines once the business starts. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated Mr. Case has provided TIF eligible expenses for approximately $15,000.00 and the city is funding $1500.00 or ten percent of the expense.
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 reported the concrete/repair work has been completed on Empire Street, however the street will remain closed the remainder of this week and next week to allow the concrete to cure as there is a lot of heavy traffic on the street.
POLICE CHIEF – RYAN TURNER
Police Chief Turner encouraged citizens to please use common sense when allowing small children to ride in golf carts and to please follow safety guidelines as individuals are being “lax” with children passengers in their golf carts.
Police Chief Turner reported if someone has a complaint concerning an animal issue after normal business hours, they should call the police department and the complaint will be forwarded to the Animal Control Officer on the next business day. Police Chief Turner stated the Wabash County Commissioners mandate the duties of animal control not the Mount Carmel Police Department. Police Chief Turner emphasized however, the police department takes pride in answering all calls/complaints and responding to all calls/complaints in a professional manner.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reminded residents to please use caution if they have a “recreational” fire burning in their yards as the leaves and grass are starting to dry out, which could help a fire to spread more easily. Mayor Judge interjected by adding the city will be running the leaf vac this fall and the route for the leaf pick up service should be announced by early October.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included approval of Ordinance 2039 – approving variance for Water Plant; approval of Resolution 674 – authorizing TIF agreement with Sam Case; approval of Starcade TIF agreement; approval of 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/8497/09-08-20_minutes.pdf
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