City of Mount Carmel City Council met Feb. 22.
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, 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 Madden seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on February 8, 2021. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge gave a “shout out” to the street department for everything they have endured over the last two weeks, due to all the snow and stated their efforts are greatly appreciated. Mayor Judge reported the department put in a lot of long hours and cleared out the snow very well in order to make it safe for the residents. Mayor Judge thanked the numerous other people, who did clean up work on their own with their backhoes throughout town.
Mayor Judge reported the electrical work for the new shelter at the city park should begin next week with installation of some new lighting and outlets, with completion being in March.
Mayor Judge reiterated, at a prior council meeting, he announced the city was in negotiations for the purchase of the former Snap-On property and stated he has no updates at this time. Mayor Judge anticipates having a favorable outcome on the purchase of the property.
Mayor Judge reported the city has been trying to negotiate with Norfolk Southern Railroad on several items in order to begin the Oak Street Sidewalk Project. Mayor Judge stated an agreement has possibly been made with Norfolk for easement rights in the amount of $6000.00, per each crossing for a grand total of $12,000.00 and the Illinois Commerce Commission has graciously agreed to pay that expense with grant monies. Mayor Judge is hopeful the bid letting will be in May or June with the actual sidewalk project beginning in the fall.
Mayor Judge reported the resurfacing of Oak Street from West Third Street to College Drive is on the spring bid list. Mayor Judge stated the council has worked for four to five years on getting the resurfacing done as a FAU Project.
Mayor Judge stated, after talking with City Administrative Assistant Witsman today, all the city supervisors were contacted and were urged to reduce the use of gas/heat at each facility due to the expected cost increase as a result of the problems in Texas where Mt. Carmel Public Utility gets their gas supply.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department kept busy clearing snow as well as salting the streets and repairing equipment. Commissioner Meeks thanked the street department for all their hard work and the many hours they put in during the recent snow.
Commissioner Meeks stated the street department is working on getting a supply of cold patch for filling potholes as the facility in Lawrenceville is no longer producing the cold patch at this time.
Commissioner Meeks presented to the council for approval the building of a structure to store road salt as there has been some problems due to the very cold temperatures causing the salt to freeze making it very difficult for the street department to move and load the salt. After a brief discussion, the council voted to move forward with the building of the structure and the monies will come from MFT funds.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the majority of the monies received within the last two weeks came from income tax, sales tax, and utility tax receipts. Commissioner Ikemire stated the sales tax receipts have dropped off in the last two months from the prior year; the state income tax and state use tax receipts are ahead in comparison to last year. Commissioner Ikemire reported, overall, with everything that happened last year, the city’s finances are doing well.
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 eighteen runs and were recertified in CPR Training. Commissioner Madden thanked Wayne Hocking for teaching the classes.
Commissioner Madden announced on Monday, March 1st, the recycling will be moved from the current location to 130 Railroad Street with the hours being 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. Commissioner Madden emphasized that residents should only put accepted items in the dumpster, which include the following: cardboard, plastic, newspapers and please do not leave bags/boxes outside the fence when the gate is closed. Commissioner Madden stated with a good response to the changes, hopefully the recycling program can be expanded in the future.
Commissioner Madden thanked the brush crew for removing the snow from the fire department, city hall and the senior citizen’s facility as well as preparing the area on Railroad Street for the new recycling area.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported for Commissioner Dulgar by stating he wishes to present to the council for vote the construction of a new water plant at the March 8th meeting. Mayor Judge interjected by proposing a public meeting be held as there was inclement weather on February 15th when that public hearing was held.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated at the last council meeting bids were accepted for three properties the city owns. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated, after reviewing the bids, he recommended the council approve the highest bids that were submitted; 321 N. Market Street – Constance Folsom bid $250.00, 414 and 416 N. Market Street – Dave Dallas bid $7000.00, 504, 506 and 508 N. Market Street – Dan Schonert bid $3555.00.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported within the consent agenda is the recommendation of approval from the zoning board as well as Ordinance 2047 – approval of the zoning variance, which allows the construction of a parking lot within a residential area to be used by a physician’s office, which is adjacent property. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the physician’s office is in need of more parking and the proposed parking area has been in the planning stages for several weeks. City Administrative Assistant reported there were no objectors present at the zoning board meeting.
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 no report.
POLICE CHIEF – RYAN TURNER
Police Chief Turner no report.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth absent.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve building a structure to store road salt using MFT funds. All present voted Aye by voice vote. Commissioner Dulgar absent.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to accept the high bids received for 321 N. Market - $250.00 from Constance Folsom; 414 and 416 N. Market Street - $7000.00 from Dave Dallas; 504, 506, and 508 N. Market Street - $3555.00 from Dan Schonert. All present voted Aye by voice vote. Commissioner Dulgar absent.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included Ordinance 2047- approving a variance in an R-6 residential district and approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote. Commissioner Dulgar absent.
Meeting adjourned at 5:21 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/10711/02-22-21_minutes.pdf
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