City of Mt. Carmel City Council Met April 19.
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 April 5, 2021. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged David James of Mount Carmel Public Utility Company, who was requesting council approval for the first annual Riverview Ramble Half Marathon on Saturday, October 30th, 2021. Mr. James stated the event will host a 5K as well as 10K option and Mount Carmel Public Utility will be the event sponsor with all participant entry fees going to support the Wabash County Community Assistance Program. Mr. James stated the start/finish line will be in the three hundred block of Market Street and the Merchants Park will be utilized for race packet pick ups on Friday evening before the race. Mr. James further stated MCPU plans to collaborate with local food vendors as well as local musicians to provide race day entertainment/concessions for spectators and racers. Mr. James affirmed MPCU will work with local EMS as well as law enforcement officials to provide safety and emergency medical services for all participants. After a brief discussion, the council granted approval for the event.
Mayor Judge congratulated the Mount Carmel High School Soccer Team along with Coach Ed Berberich as they finished the year with nine wins and two losses.
Mayor Judge stated the city is in need of lifeguards in order to open the city swimming pool this summer. Mayor Judge reported the city is anticipating that the pool will be open this year, however at least eight to ten people are needed as lifeguards if the pool is allowed to open by the state and thus far only five people have applied for lifeguard positions. Mayor Judge encouraged individuals fifteen or older to fill out an application and the city will work with the individuals on obtaining the required certification.
Mayor Judge gave a big “thank you” to the Street Department Superintendent Dave Easter and his crew on their work at the new shelter in the city park. Mayor Judge stated they have worked very hard on shelter especially in preparing it for tonight’s CEO Event.
Mayor Judge congratulated Bill Reed on his retirement as a luncheon was held today in his honor. Mayor Judge commended Bill on his forty-six years of employment with the city and thanked him for his dedication to the city.
Mayor Judge wished City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman a “Happy Birthday” today and also, Jack Ikemire.
Mayor Judge reported on April 7th, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act and the federal funds will go directly to county governments as well as municipalities in the State of Illinois. Mayor Judge stated, if the City of Mount Carmel qualifies, it could possibly receive $864,958.33 through the act for lost revenues, projects, etc., per the qualifying guidelines.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks stated in the last two weeks the street department continued to mow city properties; completed the work on the drop off area on the east side of the shelter house at the city park; picked up a load of cold patch in Lawrenceville; repaired storm sewers; installed electrical service and also some metal at the shelter house; and performed yard abatements
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire stated in the past two weeks the city has received $265,283.00 in revenues with the majority of the monies being from property taxes as well as sales tax, state income tax, utility tax, and replacement tax. Commissioner Ikemire reiterated the final budget for the new fiscal year will be presented tonight for approval and he thanked the department heads on keeping their budgets down as much as they could.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated a retirement luncheon was held today honoring Bill Reed on his retirement and announced that Brian Cropper has accepted the position as Lead Operator of the Water/Sewer Maintenance Department.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water plant basins are scheduled to be cleaned as part of the routine maintenance at the water treatment plant. Commissioner Dulgar stated the water treatment plant budget is “bare bones” due to the approval of a new water treatment plant, however two major expenses are the water well cleanings as they well remain in use with the new plant and the water main project at West Third/Walnut Streets with an estimated cost of $135,000.00. Commissioner Dulgar reported the water budget surplus is at $187,000.00 for this fiscal year with a cash balance of $542,000.00 at the end of the year.
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated last year a primary and final clarifier rebuild was done at the wastewater plant. Commissioner Dulgar explained there are a total of five each of the clarifiers and it has been budgeted in the new fiscal year for two more of the primary and final clarifiers to be rebuilt for a cost of $60,000.00. Commissioner Dulgar affirmed there are ample monies available in the wastewater budget for the expenses.
Commissioner Dulgar stated on Wednesday, April 21st, CDAP from the University of Illinois along with the IEPA will be onsite at the wastewater plant to conduct a free energy assessment.
Commissioner Dulgar wished Bill Reed a Happy Retirement as he has worked a long time for the city and he will be greatly missed.
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 fifteen runs.
Commissioner Madden reminded residents it is their responsibility to remove items that Republic Services did not pick up during the Fix-Up/Clean-Up week. Commissioner Madden stated it is the landlord’s responsibility to remove items if the tenant does not.
Commissioner Madden stated it has been unusually dry this spring and asked residents to please use caution when burning especially on the recent windy days.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman asked the council to reappoint Terry McGuire to the Fire Pension Board and the reappoint has to be done by the form of a motion.
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 Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to reappoint Terry McGuire to the Fire Pension Board. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Dulgar and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included approval of Ordinance 2049 – the Budget Ordinance for 2021-2022; approval of Ordinance 2048 – Amending Budget Ordinance 2035; and approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Regular session of the council meeting convened for Liquor Control Commission at 5:20 pm and reconvened at 5:23 pm.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to go to Executive Session for the discussion as allowed within Illinois State Statutes 5ILCS 120/2 (C) (1). All present vote Aye by voice vote.
Regular session of the council meeting recessed at 5:24 pm for executive session.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Madden seconded to conclude the executive session and return to regular session. Time – 5:43. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:44 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/10751/04-19-21_minutes.pdf
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