City of Mount Carmel City Council Met March 8.
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 February 22, 2021. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge reported the City of Mount Carmel has set the wages for the swimming pool should it reopen this year. Mayor Judge stated the pool manager will be paid $13.00 per hour; the assistant manager will be paid $12.00 and the lifeguards will be paid $11.00. Mayor Judge announced applications are available at city hall. Mayor Judge stated it is still undecided if the pool will reopen this year, which is dependent on IDPH guidelines and/or if the city is awarded the “Rebuild Illinois Infrastructure” grant.
Mayor Judge stated the Mount Carmel Rotary Club is sponsoring a citywide clean-up on Tuesday, March 16th beginning at 4:00 pm. Mayor Judge stated anyone wishing to help should meet at Merchant’s Park and maps of the clean -up areas will be handed out. Mayor Judge gave a “huge shout out” to District #348 Superintendent Dr. Bleyer and his family for cleaning up the trash along Oak Street. Mayor Judge asked residents to please help keep the city clean and dispose of trash properly.
Mayor Judge reported the brush crew cleaned up the boat ramp area and swept off all the debris on the parking lot from the recent flooding. Mayor Judge stated the street department will be putting new trash containers at the boat ramp area.
Mayor Judge reiterated, in December, City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman announced his retirement and stated several applicants had applied for the position. Mayor Judge recommended the council approve Ryan Turner to the position of City Clerk/Administrative Assistant beginning June 1st, 2021. Mayor Judge asked council approval to appoint Mike McWilliams as chief of police, per the recommendation of the Fire/Police Commission beginning June1st, 2021, as well. Mayor Judge reported, after interviews with the Fire/Police Commission, the following promotions were recommended: Sergeant Eddie Johnson to the position of detective to the police department and Police Officer Kyle Adams to the position of sergeant to the police department. Mayor Judge congratulated all the gentlemen on their new positions. Mayor Judge thanked everyone for their support, especially the Fire/Police Commission for conducting the police department interviews and for ensuring the right people were selected for the positions.
Mayor Judge commended the Wabash County Health Department as fifty-five per cent of the Wabash County residents sixty-five and older have received the first dose of the COVID 19 vaccine while thirty-seven percent are totally vaccinated.
Mayor Judge reported he has provided the council with a public works organizational chart and he would like to present the moving forward with a public works department for the City of Mount Carmel at the next council meeting.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks stated several complaints were received from residents that the garbage trucks are destroying the streets in the Cherry Hill Subdivision. Commissioner Meeks reported he and Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter drove the entire area of the subdivision and there are locations that are breaking up mostly on the edges of the street. Commissioner Meeks stated City Administrative Assistant Witsman contacted Republic Services and they in turn provided three options as follows: they can continue to pick up the trash as usual and the city will repair the bad spots in the streets; an open dumpster can be placed at the end of the north or south entrance with residents hauling the totes themselves to the dumpsters; or stop picking up trash until the street is more solid after the winter weather is over. Commissioner Meeks asked for input from the Cherry Hill residents and encouraged the residents to please call city hall to convey their ideas to City Administrative Assistant Witsman.
Commissioner Meeks reported the playground equipment at the park was inspected and part of the equipment has some problems. Commissioner Meeks stated the street department will try to make repairs in order to honor Charlie Boss, who built a lot of the original equipment.
Commissioner Meeks stated in the last two weeks the street department cleared the snow; repaired pot holes; repaired equipment; pushed up and burnt the brush pile; helped the water maintenance department jet some storm sewers and assisted with a water line repair.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the majority of the receipts in the last two weeks were from property tax revenues. Commissioner Ikemire stated the recreational fund is at $66,000, the garbage fund is at $150,000 and the airport fund is steady at $170,000.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar stated a meeting was held concerning the repairs for the major water main break at West Third/Walnut Streets and Kieffer Brothers will be providing a cost estimate for the repairs with the costs being added to the next budget year.
Commissioner Dulgar reported Wastewater Plant Lead Operator Josh Peach attended training regarding energy assessments at the plant.
Commissioner Dulgar gave a brief overview regarding the proposed new water treatment plant and stated the city has reached the point to vote on constructing a new plant. Commissioner Dulgar reported Terry Boyer has submitted the loan application to the Illinois EPA as the cost is a little over $10 million and the engineering work is near completion. Commissioner Dulgar stated there will be rate increases on the water bill, which will be spread out over the next several years and those monies will only be used for the water plant. Commissioner Dulgar acknowledged Mayor Judge, who stated based off of minimum water rates throughout the State of Illinois, the City of Mount Carmel’s rate will still be under the average rate even after the $12.00 increase by the year 2025. After council discussion, the motion was made and the council voted to move forward with the construction of a new water treatment plant.
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 fourteen runs and the department will meet tonight for their regularly scheduled training.
Commissioner Madden announced Spring Fix-Up/Clean-Up week will be April 5th through April 9th. Commissioner Madden reminded residents that Republic Services will not pick up refrigerators, electrics, televisions, paint unless it is dried up with cat litter or sand, construction lumber, microwaves and other kitchen appliances, mattresses and box springs not wrapped in plastic.
Commissioner Madden asked residents to please be patient with Republic Services as they can run behind on getting the items picked up. Commissioner Madden reminded residents that if items are not picked up by Republic Services, it is the resident’s responsibility to remove the items in a timely manner.
Commissioner Madden reported this is the second week that the recycling center has been moved to 130 Railroad Street and there has been a great response. Commissioner Madden reminded citizens to please do not put unacceptable items in the recycling bins; when dropping items off to be recycled, please do not put the whole trash bag in the bin and please do not leave the trash bag; break down cardboard boxes before they are put in the cardboard dumpster; and please do not leave items outside of the gate when its is locked.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman presented Resolution R-680 to the council for approval. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the resolution authorizes the expenditure of MFT funds for the widening of Thirteenth Street from Chestnut Street to Market Street/College Drive.
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 reported there was a drive by shooting last Friday and the department is actively working on that incident as well as following all leads.
Police Chief Turner stated last week Officer Paris Pennington, who had flown drones for the army, attended drone training. Police Chief Turner reported the police department is hoping to partner with the fire department in obtaining the license to operate drones, which would be an asset in emergency situations.
Police Chief Turner reported the department began conducting the traffic study at East 5th and Pear Streets, but the recent heavy snow slowed down the study efforts. Police Chief Turner stated the department will continue with the study for the time beginning and he will report back at a later date.
Police Chief Turner thanked the council for their support over the last two years while he served as chief of police.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth absent.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the appointment of Ryan Turner as City Clerk/Administrative Assistant effective June 1, 2021. All present vote Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to approve the appointment of Mike McWilliams as Chief of Police effective June1, 2021. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the construction of a new water plant. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to approve Resolution R-680 for the expenditure of MFT Funds for the Thirteenth Street improvement. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Madden 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 5:25 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/10721/03-08-21_minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up