City of Mount Carmel City Council met Oct. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Invocation was given by Reverend Tony Hodgson.
Mayor Judge brought the City Council meeting to order.
Present on Roll Call: Mayor Joe Judge Commissioners - Eric Ikemire, Justin Dulgar
Also, Present: City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman, City Attorney Kelli Storckman
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 October 5, 2020. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge thanked Reverend Tony Hodgson for attending the meeting and for blessing the new council chambers for the first time.
Mayor Judge acknowledged John Spencer, who is an Illinois State Representative Candidate for the 109th District. Mr. Spencer introduced himself and gave an overview of his background as well as his political stance. Mr. Spencer thanked the council for allowing him to speak at the meeting.
Mayor Judge announced it has been an interesting day with the governor’s mitigation and the moving of this region back to stage three starting Thursday, October 22nd. Mayor Judge stated he hopes the setback is short lived and encouraged anyone with questions/concerns to please contact Administrator Judy Wissel at the Wabash County Health Department as the governor runs all the COVID 19 information through the health departments in the State of Illinois.
Mayor Judge stated the Region 5 Mitigation announced by the governor will not change the Halloween plans in Mount Carmel, at this time. Mayor Judge reported the Trunk or Treat Trail Event is scheduled for Friday, October 30th at the city park from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and anyone attending should please park at the Mabel Courter Youth Center. Mayor Judge stated anyone wishing to participate should be at the park between 3:00 and 4:30 pm to setup. Mayor Judge is anticipating between thirty to thirty-five people setting up and the police/fire departments will be handing out the bagged candy at the end of the “trail”. Mayor Judge reported on Saturday, October 31st, Trick or Treating will be held from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm and encouraged residents to please turn their porch lights on if they wish to receive trick or treaters.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks absent.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the city’s finances are holding steady with state sales tax and state income tax revenues being better than anticipated due to COVID 19. Commissioner Ikemire stated there are some areas in the budget that are a little behind, however the city should feel fortunate as thus far this fiscal year, the budget is doing fairly well.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported Lead Operator Keith Reed is trialing a new chemical tester at the water treatment plant for mainly water hardness and alkalinity. Commissioner Dulgar stated the draining/cleaning maintenance work on the West Third Street and the Risley Avenue Water Towers has been completed.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water maintenance department is still conducting a plan for the water lines at the intersection of West Third and Walnut Streets. Commissioner Dulgar reported Kieffer Brothers Construction, Lead Operator Bill Reed along with his crew, City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman and himself have been working together to devise the best solution to avoid having any further issues in that area.
Commissioner Dulgar reported work is ongoing with the major upgrade at the wastewater plant and the last portion of the current project is the completion of the digestor. Commissioner Dulgar clarified, unfortunately, more upgrades will be needed in the coming years. Commissioner Dulgar stated, as part of the annual NPDES license requirement at the wastewater plant, council approval is needed for a phosphorus feasibility study and a mercury removal evaluation. Commissioner Dulgar reported he has a quote for the phosphorus feasibility study in the amount of $17,995.00 and for the mercury removal evaluation in the amount of $17,845.00 from Donohue Engineering.
Commissioner Dulgar stated Mayor Judge found an interesting piece of history at old city hall, which is the loan agreement for the new water plant built in 1933. Commissioner Dulgar reported the cost to build the plant at that time was $100,000.00 and it took twenty-five years to pay off the loan. Mayor Judge added several interesting “gems” have been found at old city hall and some will be displayed at new city hall.
COMMISSIONER CHANDLER MADDEN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Madden was absent and Mayor Judge reported on his behalf.
Mayor Judge reported in the last two weeks the fire department responded to twelve runs and a house burnout in the county was conducted on Saturday for training purposes. Mayor Judge extended a thank you from the fire department to the property owner for allowing the use of the house.
Mayor Judge stated the Fall Clean-Up week went very well and thanked residents for their cooperation. Mayor Judge emphasized if items were not picked up it is the resident’s responsibility to dispose of the items and to not leave the items in the street or lying next to the street.
Mayor Judge reiterated this Saturday, October 24th is the electronics recycling day. Mayor Judge stated the City of Mount Carmel is teaming up with Wabash County Farm Bureau and CJD E- Cycling from Edwardsville with the event taking place between 9:00 am and noon at the former Shopko parking lot at 1520 West Ninth Street. Mayor Judge noted there is a minimal charge for televisions and/or computer monitors, etc., so please be prepared to pay the fee. Mayor Judge stated the event is being sponsored by First National Bank along with Citizens National Bank of Albion. Mayor Judge interjected by stating only two semi-trucks will be at the electronics recycling day and once the trucks are filled the event is done. Mayor Judge encouraged citizens to please take advantage of this event and stated the city is excited to be assisting with the e-cycling day.
Mayor Judge announced the leaf pick-up will begin this Wednesday and the crew will follow the same route as the brush pick-up service on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Mayor Judge stated the leaf pick-up service should run through December, weather permitting. Mayor Judge reported the manufacturer of the leaf vac had recommended a specified head phone set for communications on the leaf truck. Mayor Judge stated the leaf crew is requesting the purchase of the headphone set to ensure safety practices while operating the leaf vac. Mayor Judge asked council approval to allow City Administrative Assistant Witsman to negotiate the purchase of the head phone set, even though it is rather expensive and not a budgeted item. City Administrative Assistant Witsman interjected by stating the purchase of the head set is money well spent for much needed safety practices.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the Wabash Valley College Student Senate is requesting to collect donations at city intersections for their fundraising event on Saturday, November 14th. The council gave approval with the stipulations that the event cannot be held in inclement weather, due to the lateness in the year and the collection may only take place on city streets that are not also Illinois State Highways.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported within the consent agenda is Resolution 675 and Resolution 676 approving application for grant funding for sidewalk improvement on Market Street from Third to Fifth and sidewalk improvement beside Oak Street from West Third to West Ninth. Mayor Judge interjected by stating, unfortunately, there are no updates at this time for the sidewalk improvements along Oak Street, as the city is still working with Norfolk Southern regarding the railroad crossing on Oak Street.
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 clarified the fines and fee revenues in the budget are lower due to the general public being well behaved and therefore less tickets are being issued by the patrolmen.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reported the State Fire Marshall reviewed the fire department training records and everything passed.
Fire Chief Speth stated the fire drill practices were held at the area schools and social distancing was practiced, per the State Fire Marshall Office. Fire Chief Speth added tours of the fire station were held and CDC guidelines as well the State Fire Marshall Office guidelines were followed.
Fire Chief Speth reported nine fire departments with approximately forty firefighters participated in the house burn last Saturday and all went well with no injuries.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the proposed agreement with Donohue Engineering for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Phosphorus Feasibility Study as required by the new NPDES permit. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the proposed agreement with Donohue Engineering for the Wastewater Treatment Plant Mercury Removal Evaluation as required by the new NPDES permit. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the purchase of noise cancelling headphones not to exceed $7800.00. 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 675 to make application for grant funding for sidewalk improvement on Market Street from Third to Fifth; approval of Resolution 676 to make application for grant funding for sidewalk improvement beside Oak Street from Third to Ninth; approval of Fireman Contract Agreement and approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/8500/10-19-2020_minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up