City of Mt. Carmel City Council Met Jan. 11.
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, City Attorney Brady Waldrop
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Judge requested a motion to approve the minutes of the last council meeting.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on December 28, 2020. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Mike Neikirk, who is one of the directors of Offense Ministries and Mr. Neikirk, in turn, introduced Amy Neikirk, Brandon Kight, and Jill Kight, who are also directors/founders of Offense Ministries. Mr. Neikirk gave an overview of Offense Ministries as well as the background, mission and vision for its’ future. Mr. Neikirk announced to the council that the former city hall facility will be the first private Christian School founded by Offense Ministries and will be named Ambassador Christian Academy. Mr. Neikirk thanked the council for working with them on the purchase of the former city hall facility and stated the council’s cooperation was greatly appreciated.
Mayor Judge reiterated at the last council meeting four out of the five individuals were appointed to the Parks Board Advisory Committee. Mayor Judge recommended that the council appoint Alyssa Hopper as the fifth member to the board for the three-year term.
Mayor Judge stated he has consulted with Airport Manager Chad Hill regarding the Airport Board and five individuals with a vested interest in the airport were chosen to serve on that board. Mayor Judge recommended the council appoint Ken Wood, George Beckerman, Jake Brian, Barry Buchanan and Tom Robinson to the Airport Board.
Mayor Judge reported Governor Pritzker will be making an announcement this Friday regarding the mitigations for each of the regions in the State of Illinois. Mayor Judge is in hopes Governor Pritzker will reopen indoor dining for restaurants in this region.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department worked on preparations for the new shelter house at the city park; serviced mowers; repaired equipment; took down the Christmas trees along Market Street; moved the Santa House and Christmas trees back into storage; repaired the backhoe; replaced damaged stop signs; and prepared for the addition to the street department shop.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the city is on target with the budget and is looking good for the remainder of the fiscal year. Commissioner Ikemire stated the MFT funds are at $816,000, which is a good balance for upcoming projects as well as the hospital project involving Thirteenth Street.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar gave an overview of the proposed new water treatment facility and the activities/planning over the last five years regarding the city’s water treatment facility.
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated the city pursued the possibility of forming a Regional Water Commission with Grayville and Albion, however it was not feasible; the city looked into renovating the existing water treatment plant, however the cost was not much cheaper than building a new facility. Commissioner Dulgar stated the time has arrived to move forward with the building of a new water treatment facility and the city has already incurred debt from the necessary planning stages for the pursuit of a new facility. Commissioner Dulgar gave a presentation of how the existing water treatment plant functions and treats the water supply. Commissioner Dulgar proposed beginning March 20, 2021 water bills will increase in the amount of $6.75, which will be labeled a “water plant fee” on the bill. Commissioner Dulgar reported the city will apply for an Illinois EPA loan in July, which will reimburse the water fund monies spent thus far on the engineering and planning portion of the proposed new plant. Commissioner Dulgar clarified the $6.75 fee will in turn be used as payment toward the EPA loan. Commissioner Dulgar reported the fee schedule will increase as follows: April 2023 - $8.50, April 2024 - $10.25, April 2025 - $12.00 with construction of the proposed water plant being completed in April of 2023. Commissioner Dulgar stated the fee increase will assist in paying for the $10.5 million water treatment facility and emphasized the construction of a new facility is the most feasible solution for the City of Mount Carmel. After an extensive discussion regarding a new water plant and the fee increase, the council gave approval for Mayor Judge to arrange a line of credit with First National Bank, who offered a 1⁄2 percent interest rate for twenty-four months in the amount of $500,000. Mayor Judge interjected by stating he had contacted area banks for a line of credit to pay for the engineering expenses incurred for the proposed new water plant and First National Bank offered the lowest interest rate.
COMMISSIONER CHANDLER MADDEN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Madden stated in the last two weeks the fire department responded to fourteen runs.
Commissioner Madden reported the back hoe that was purchased for the brush route has been repaired and is now in operation by the brush crew. Commissioner Madden stated if residents have piles of leaves to be picked to please call city hall.
Commissioner Madden reminded residents that winter heating is the second largest cause of house fires so please make sure heating equipment is cleaned, serviced and in good working condition.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported it is time to accept bids for the mowing of the city cemeteries and asked council approval to prepare the bid document in order to start accepting bids from interested parties.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated this meeting constitutes the first reading of Ordinance 2044 – the creation of the new water plant fees and fee schedule as was presented at this council meeting.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported Ordinance 2045 – the amending and updating of the existing Parks Board Ordinance is contained within the consent agenda.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated, in order to complete the widening of Thirteenth Street between Market and Chestnut Streets, five feet of property, which is located on three different lots is needed and is owned by Wabash General Hospital. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported the hospital has agreed to donate that property, however it must be subdivided to allow for the right of way along that section of Thirteen Street. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated MFT monies will be used for the project and approval of the subdividing of the lots is contained within the consent agenda.
CITY ATTORNEY – BRADY WALDROP
City Attorney Waldrop 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 stated the 2021 golf cart/UTV stickers are available for purchase/renewal at the police department. Police Chief Turner reminded citizens, whose stickers have expired to please be sure and purchase a new sticker.
Police Chief Turner reported the police department placed an order for a new K-9 unit as the city’s current K-9 unit “Ace” is retiring. Police Chief Turner stated the department should get the new police dog in July from Alabama and Officer Hopper will then attend the Illinois State Police Academy in August along with the new K-9 unit. Police Chief Turner reported the monies needed for the new K-9 and the training will be generated through the Crime Stoppers as well as through fines and fees collected from the courts. Police Chief stated, due to the change in the laws, the new dog will not be trained to track marijuana. Police Chief Turner added K-9 Ace will enjoy his retirement with Illinois State Police Steve Perry, who was the orginal K-9 Officer with Ace and who has agreed to take the dog as a pet.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth absent.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the appointment of Allyssa Hopper to the Parks Board. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to approve the appointment of the following people to the Airport Board: Ken Wood, George Beckerman, Jake Brian, Barry Buchanan and Tom Robinson. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to approve the Mayor and City Clerk to arrange a line of credit with First National Bank of Allendale/Mount Carmel in the amount up to $500,000 for twenty-four months at 1⁄2 percent. The money is to be used to pay engineering costs for the proposed new water plant. 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 the subdivision of property along Thirteenth Street to allow transfer of ownership to the city from the hospital; approval of Ordinance 2045 –Amending the Existing Park Board Ordinance; and approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:49 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/10681/01-11-21_minutes.pdf
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