City of Mount City Council met Jan. 24.
Here are 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 Attorney Brady Waldrop
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 January 10, 2022. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Josh Evans with the Rockets Foundation, who was seeking council approval for the thirteenth annual Saint Mary’s School Rockets 5K Run and Kids Fun Run on Saturday, February 26th. Mr. Evans stated the race route will be the same as the previous years. Mayor Judge advised the Mardi Gras Committee to contact Police Chief Mike McWilliams as well as Public Works Director Mike Gidcumb regarding the race route.
Mayor Judge reported he along with Public Works Director Gidcumb and Commissioner Dulgar will going to Mount Vernon, IL tomorrow to meet with the public works director to assist with forming of the City of Mount Carmel’s Public Works Department.
Mayor Judge stated COVID cases are increasing and offered prayers as well as support to everyone in the community.
Mayor Judge reiterated at the last few council meetings city ordinances have been discussed and over the last few months the current ordinances have been reviewed to ensure they are up to date with state as well as federal laws.
Mayor Judge stated the city had two vehicles that were up for bid until 3:00 pm today. Mayor Judge reported the 2006 Dodge Caravan had three bids and the highest bid was from Brant Arnold in the amount of $555.55. Mayor Judge stated the highest bid for the 2009 Jeep Patriot Sport was $4550.00 from Ryan Jones. Mayor Judge presented the bids to the council for approval.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported in the last two weeks the street department performed maintenance on equipment in preparedness for Spring; continued working on the public works building on East Fifth Street; took two trucks to Lawrenceville for the annual inspection; fixed a bad spot on the south end of Oak Street; assisted the water maintenance with a water leak at Seventh and Walnut Streets; assisted the water department with reading the water meters; cleaned up the brush harbor; held an operator equipment safety training at the street department; and repaired an alley at Eleventh and Chestnut.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire report receipts in the general fund over the last two weeks totaled $313,596.00 and expenditures were $100,612.00 with the majority of the receipts being from sales tax, state income tax, utility tax, state use tax and replacement tax. Commissioner Ikemire stated the city is well on tract with the budget.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water department is having water meter issues as approximately fifteen hundred meters have quit working and the meters are having to be manually read. Commissioner Dulgar stated the next water billing cycle will be shorter so the water bill amount could be lower with the following billing cycle having more days. Commissioner Dulgar acknowledged Mayor Judge, who explained the water meters are registering the number of gallons of water being used but they are not sending a signal for the “drive by “reading system, therefore the meters are having to be manually read. Commissioner Dulgar stated the city is looking into a new water meter system for the water billing.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the city should have the loan paperwork for the new water treatment plant next week; notice to proceed should be by mid-February and then a meeting will be scheduled with Kieffer Brothers to start the project.
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated a long-term project plan study was done for the wastewater plant based on EPA regulations. Commissioner Dulgar stated the engineer was consulted regarding what should be done in moving forward with the best possible plan for the city. Commissioner Dulgar emphasized new EPA standards are the reason for upgrades at the plant.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the maintenance department has been busy fixing several water leaks and assisting other departments.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman asked residents to please do not drop off recyclables or brush for the city dump site/brush harbor if the gates are locked as it is considered illegal dumping and violators can be prosecuted. Commissioner Zimmerman reminded the site hours are Monday, Friday 7:30 to 3:30 and Saturday 9:00 to 3:00.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported during the last two weeks the fire department responded to twelve runs and attended the funeral service for Former Police Chief Chuck Gilkerson.
Commissioner Zimmerman congratulated the fire department who earned third place in the Walk of Life event at Hollybrook with the tree decorating at Christmas.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
Public Works Director Mike Gidcumb reported for City Administrative Assistant Turner who was absent.
Public Works Director Gidcumb presented to the council for approval a façade grant application for 335 N. Market Street from Doug Kieffer. Public Works Director Gidcumb stated the grant is a $1000.00 matching grant and the monies come out of TIF funds.
Public Works Director Gidcumb stated within the consent agenda is Ordinance 2065 – regulations of vacant properties which helps assist the city in tracking down the owners of vacant properties; Ordinance 2066 – an existing mobile home was approved a special use permit by a new owner and the zoning board recommended the council approve the purchase; Ordinance 2067 – approving the subdivision of a thirteen acre tract of land off of Erin Drive for Stan and Dennis Baumgart; Ordinance 2068 – changing the number of various class liquor licenses that are available through the city; Ordinance 2069 – approving the subdivision of Lot 11 in Ashley Brook Estates on Erin Drive; Ordinance 2070 – approving the subdivision of 1231/1231 ½ Bainum Street and the land owner will sign over part of the property to the city. Public Works Director Gidcumb asked council approval to waive the second readings of Ordinances 2066, 2067, 2069 and 2070.
CITY ATTORNEY – BRADY WALDROP
City Attorney Waldrop reiterated the council had approved the paying of the back taxes on two properties, which were 201 S. Mulberry Street and 615 N. Cherry Street as the city had the structures on the properties demolished. City Attorney Waldrop stated the city should be receiving the deeds for those properties in the very near future.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb no report.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams thanked the fire department for representing well at the funeral of Former Police Chief Chuck Gilkerson and stated the family was very appreciative of all that was done by the city.
Police Chief McWilliams reported the department has been short on manpower but are managing to operate well.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth absent.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the Façade Improvement Grant application of $1000.00 for Doug Kieffer at 335 N. Market Street. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to accept the van bid from Brant Arnold on the 2006 Dodge Caravan/Grand Sport Van – Vehicle ID number 2D4GP44L56R784957 for $555.55. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to accept the jeep bid from Ryan Jones on the 2009 Jeep Patriot Sport – Vehicle ID number 1J4FF28B09D249747 for $4550.00. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to waive the second reading on Ordinances 2066, 2067, 2069 and 2070 in the consent agenda. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman vote Aye.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda included Ordinance 2065 – regulation of vacant properties; Ordinance 2066 – placement of mobile home in R-3 residential area; Ordinance 2067 – approving the subdivision of a tract of land on Erin Drive; Ordinance 2068 – amend Chapter 4 /number of alcohol license allowed in the city; Ordinance 2069 – approving the subdivision of a tract of land on Erin Drive: Ordinance 2070 – approving the subdivision of a tract of on Bainum Steet; and the approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:44 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11502/01-24-22_minutes.pdf
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