City of Mt. Carmel City Council met Sept. 21.
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, 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 Madden seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on September 8th, 2020. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Tim Raibley, who was in attendance representing the Acme Committee, which is a group of community members that came together for the betterment/progress of the City of Mount Carmel and Wabash County. Mr. Raibley stated the committee has been meeting for two years and began by looking at the positives as well as the negatives of the community. Mr. Raibley emphasized the committee is asking for positive support from the city along with the county and not financial support. Mr. Raibley presented to the council for consideration a new logo for the city; “Mount Carmel, the City on the Move” and stated the committee is in hopes this will prompt the city to be supportive in moving forward with the progressive ideas the committee has developed. Mr. Raibley stated the committee is looking forward to some positive feedback and input from the council for the future plans/ideas for our community.
Mayor Judge announced the work on the basketball courts at the city park is complete and thanked everyone who donated to the project. Mayor Judge stated all donations to city for that cause are greatly appreciated.
Mayor Judge asked citizens to please pick up their trash in the city park especially near the basketball courts as recently trash was left lying on the ground near the courts. Mayor Judge stressed the individuals need to please pick up after themselves and keep the park looking nice.
Mayor Judge reported the Roots-N-Que event held last Saturday at the Merchants Park was very well attended.
Mayor Judge presented the flyer from the Mount Carmel Rotary Club for the seeking of donations for a new shelter house and restrooms at the city park. Mayor Judge challenged each Rotarian, in the local club as well as other clubs, to donate toward the project. Mayor Judge encouraged all to contribute in some manner as the park is used by the whole community.
Mayor Judge reported he will be attending an Illinois Municipal League meeting later this week and stated some of the topics for discussion will be the Cures Act Monies that the city has applied for. Mayor Judge is in hopes some good results will come out of the meetings.
Mayor Judge stated he travelled to Springfield with Commissioner Madden to purchase a piece of equipment that will be a great money saver for the city.
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, parks and levees; finished up the repair work on Empire Street; repaired a storm drain and fixed driveways in the same area due to the storm drain issue; replaced a cylinder on the street sweeper; completed the repair work on the tractor and bush hog mower; hauled the old concrete from Empire Street to the boat ramp to fill in washed out places; assisted the water maintenance department with the water main break on College Drive and West Third/Walnut Streets.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire absent. Mayor Judge spoke on his behalf by thanking Rick and Donna Marshall for the generous food donation to the WC Cafeteria and Senior Center.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the Suez Company will be draining the West Third Street Water Tower this week, which could cause water pressure issues in that area of the city. Commissioner Dulgar stated the draining and cleaning of the tower is part of the maintenance agreement with Suez.
Commissioner Dulgar stated there was a major water main break at West Third and Walnut Streets this past week and the water maintenance department and street department worked tirelessly to resolve the issue. Commissioner Dulgar reported the water break was actually draining the water towers and the wells that supply the city with water could not keep up which made for a very serious situation. Commissioner Dulgar stated, fortunately, water has been rerouted which eliminated the use of the line with the break. Commissioner Dulgar affirmed a meeting will be held to determine a permanent fix. Commissioner Dulgar commended the water maintenance department and the street department for their efforts and hard work.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the primary and final clarifiers are failing at the waste water plant to the point of replacement. Commissioner Dulgar stated he is seeking council approval for up to $50,000.00 to rebuild the clarifiers as a “temporary fix” for a few years until the actual replacement upgrade process of the clarifiers can take place.
Commissioner Dulgar thanked the Acme Committee for their presentation to the council and stated the city is always looking for fresh, new ideas for the community.
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 nine runs.
Commissioner Madden reminded residents to please be careful with recreational fires as it is abnormally dry outside.
Commissioner Madden reiterated the Fall Fix-Up/Clean-Up week is scheduled for the week of October 5th through October 9th. Commissioner Madden reminded that mattresses and box springs have to be completely wrapped in plastic or Republic Service will not pick them up. Commissioner Madden stated items that will not be picked up are construction material, electronics, televisions, microwaves, refrigerators and stoves. Commissioner Madden emphasized if items are not picked up by Republic Services during the pick-up week it is the resident’s responsibility to remove the items in a timely manner. Commissioner Madden added it is the landlord’s responsibility to remove the items, if the tenant does not and if a “picker” goes through items at a residence, please do not throw items all over yards while “picking”.
Commissioner Madden stated residents should please call city hall to report any issues with the trash service; being missed trash, problems with trash totes, etc. Commissioner Madden reminded residents to please set their trash out the night before their scheduled pick-up day as Republic Services has changed the pick-up times.
Commissioner Madden reported this week is National Farm Safety Week and urged everyone to please be careful as the fall harvest is underway. Commissioner Madden stated the firefighters and first responders are always prepared for emergencies but are hoping for a safe, quiet harvest season.
Commissioner Madden reiterated the recycling bins at the city dump site are for newspaper, cardboard, and plastics only. Commissioner Madden asked residents to please do not put other items in the bins as there was a microwave and air conditioner found in the bin. Commissioner Madden stated the entire bin had to be disposed of and could not be recycled. Commissioner Madden further stated the recyclable items should be put in clear plastic trash bags, only.
Commissioner Madden reported he traveled to Springfield with Mayor Judge to purchase a backhoe from the IDOT Surplus Program, which was a big savings to city. Commissioner Madden stated the backhoe was much needed for the brush crew to pick-up large piles of limbs and brush on the residential yard waste pick-up route.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported a problem has arisen with people cutting down whole trees and putting the trunks/big limbs out for the brush crew to pick up. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stressed if the tree trunks are too big to run through the chipper, they will not be picked up by the brush crew. City Administrative Assistant Witsman further stated it is then the resident’s responsibility to remove the tree trunks.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the Lions Club has requested council approval to collect donations for their annual candy drive on the designated street corners on October 9th and October 10th.
City Administrative Witsman thanked Kieffer Brothers Construction for the use of the barricades at West Third and Walnut Streets for the water main break, as the city did not have adequate barricades to block the intersection. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated they graciously allowed the city the use of the barricades as well as some barrels and their efforts are greatly appreciated.
CITY ATTORNEY – KELLI STORCKMAN
City Attorney Storckman absent.
CITY INSPECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
City Inspector Gidcumb absent.
STREET DEPARTMENT SUPERINTENDENT – DAVE EASTER
Street Department Superintendent Easter no report.
POLICE CHIEF – RYAN TURNER
Police Chief Turner no report.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reported when the West Third Street Water Tower is drained for maintenance three water hydrants will be flowing to relieve water pressure and those hydrants are located at South Mulberry Street, near the ballfields; West Third Street across from the former South School Building and at Southgate.
Fire Chief Speth reiterated it has been several weeks since it has rained and asked 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.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to approve the expenditure of up to $50,000 to rehab two clarifiers at the Wastewater Plant. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Madden motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:31 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/8498/09-21-20_minutes.pdf
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