City of Mt. Carmel City Council met June 14.
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, Susan Zimmerman
Also, Present: City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner
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 June 1, 2021. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Sky Train Aviation Co-Owner Rick Perrot, who was in attendance along with Jake Brian to present a lease agreement with the City of Mount Carmel and Sky Train Aviation. Mr. Perrot stated the city would still own the airport; the land, the buildings, the runways and the equipment; and any future additions or expansions funded by the Federal Improvement Program would become property of the City of Mount Carmel without any expense to the city. Mr. Perrot stated Sky Train Aviation would manage all operations as well as handle the maintenance and be responsible for complying to all FAA regulations along with assuming liability of operating a public airport. Mr. Perrot explained the city would have all the benefits of owning a public airport without the administrative and regulatory burdens/costs as well as the liability of operating a public airline facility. Mr. Perrot continued by stating all current employees would remain at the airport and all current contracts/agreements would be honored. Mr. Perrot praised the Mount Carmel Airport as being one of the better operated aeronautical facilities in the mid-west. Mr. Perrot stated Sky Train Aviation would like to have the opportunity to extend the progress of the airport into the future. After discussing the proposal, the council decided to table a decision in order to review the lease agreement.
Mayor Judge stated this is Ryan Turner’s first meeting as city clerk and Ryan had recently retired from the police department after serving for twenty years and six months. Mayor Judge thanked Ryan for his service as well as his dedication to the Mount Carmel Police Department and presented him with a gift from the council.
Mayor Judge congratulated Kyle Buss and the Mount Carmel High School Softball Team on their great season this year. Mayor Judge congratulated the Mount Carmel High School Wrestling Team, as well.
Mayor Judge reported the city will be applying for the American Recovery Act Grant monies this week and the city should receive around $430,000.00 this month along with the guidelines on how the monies may be spent.
Mayor Judge congratulated the council on purchasing the “ugliest” property in Mount Carmel. Mayor Judge stated Thursday, June 10th, he along with City Administrative Assistant Turner and City Attorney Waldrop closed on the former Snap-On Property. Mayor Judge stated he has received quotes on clearing the trees and levelling the soil. Mayor Judge asked council approval to seek bids for the clearing of the property. Mayor Judge reported once the property is cleared the city will enroll it into a Browns Field EPA Clean-Up Program.
Mayor Judge stated the construction of the new restrooms at the city park is progressing nicely and hopefully they will be completed within the next thirty days.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department continued to mow city properties; assisted the water maintenance department with the replacing of sanitary sewer pipe along Cedar Street and also with the installation of sewer pipe at the city park for the new restrooms; repaired storm sewer intakes; continued working on issues at the city swimming pool; cleaned intakes during and after the recent rains; took three trucks through the safety lane inspection; and received loads of asphalt from Ambraw Asphalt.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported in the last two weeks the general fund had receipts of $255,000 and expenditures of $64,000 with the majority of the revenues being from the various state tax monies.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the new water treatment plant is still in preparations and should be going to bid this summer.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water department worked on getting the pool chemicals correct for opening day. Commissioner Dulgar reported a chemical pump at the water treatment plant is in need of repair or possible replacement.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water fountain on Oak Street is being installed this week and will be located across the street from the college apartments.
Commissioner Dulgar stated a phosphorus discharge optimization plan and biologics plan will have to be looked into at the wastewater plant in the near future, per IEPA regulations. Commissioner Dulgar reported some emergency plumbing was conducted at the college lift station by the wastewater plant crew.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman reiterated last week was the first week for garbage pickup on Monday’s only and there were only a few minor issues. Commissioner Zimmerman reminded residents to please call city hall if they need a new trash tote.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported the gates at the recycling site will be locked when the bins are full and will be unlocked once Republic Services empties the bins. Commissioner Zimmerman stated Republic Services has been contacted and they will try to empty the bins in a timely manner. Commissioner Zimmerman reminded residents to please empty their bag of recyclables into the bin and to not put the entire bag in the bin.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported in the last two weeks the fire department responded to eight runs. Commissioner Zimmerman stated the Guns and Hoses event was a great success. Commissioner Zimmerman thanked Rod Rodriguez for organizing the event and stated all the proceeds will be donated to Merchants Park.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner thanked the mayor and council for the gift for his retirement from the police department. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated his first week as city administrator has been interesting and he has already gotten to see a several different things within the daily operations of the city. City Administrative Assistant Turner further stated Rudy Witsman handled a lot of things that most people would not even realize were part of having the position of city administrator. City Administrative Assistant Turner thanked the council for allowing him to do the job and stated he is looking toward to doing the work.
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported the recycling site was looking very bad as the bins were overflowing and the trash was falling on the ground. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated individuals are abusing the privilege of having the recycling program and non-recyclables are being out into the bins. City Administrative Assistant Turner asked residents to please patient as the city is trying to work through the issues and reminded the recycling service is for the residents of the City of Mount Carmel, only.
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 – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams absent.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reminded residents to please careful while working outside during the hot weather and to drink plenty of fluids.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the clearing of the former property know as Snap-On. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Ikemire and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included the approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:43 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/10791/06-14-21_minutes.pdf
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