City of Mount City Council met Feb. 7.
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 Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner, 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 January 24, 2022. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge thanked all city employees for their extra hard work over the past few weeks. Mayor Judge referenced the recent cold weather and snow storm that hit the area. Mayor Judge stated the workers should be commended for their hard work in clearing the snow and ice covered roads.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Gary Chalcraft, who owns property 530 Sweeney Street. Chalcraft requested the City to vacate an alley attached to his property. Chalcraft reported that he would put a gate across the property in order for Mt. Carmel Public Utility and the City to have access to vacated property. Steve McClane addressed the council and opposed Chalcraft’s proposal. MCPU President David James had no issue with Chalcraft’s proposal as long as MCPU had access. The Council tabled the matter until the next meeting.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Tina Howton, who was requesting permission to close portions of Market Street for a KCBS BBQ competition. The event is to take place on September 15-17. The contest has recently been held in Newburgh, Indiana and was successful. The event is to honor Howton’s deceased son. The Council approved Howton’s request.
Mayor Judge acknowledged John Clancy of the Little Egypt’s Art Gallery. Clancy advised that he would like to plan another art festival. This festival would focus on the Lone Ranger and Mt. Carmel Native, Brace Beemer. Clancy further stated he would like to have a statute of the Lone Ranger’s horse erected Main street. He stated the size would be comparable to the Superman located in Metropolis, Illinois. Mayor Judge reminded Clancy that he was not authorized to put jump houses on City owned property. Mayor Judge stated that Clancy was not authorized to place a jump house on City property when he held his first festival. Clancy stated he understood and no longer would he have a bounce house for events held uptown.
Mayor Judge reported that in the near future he will be attending a conference that will provide information on fixing the Mt. Carmel levy system. Mayor Judge stated there are issues with the levy system and he is hoping to get information on how to get these problems fixed.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks wanted to thank the street department on their handling of the snow and ice storm over the past week.
Commissioner Meeks reported in the past two weeks, the street department has been busy filling sink holes, maintaining the streets by filling potholes, conducting maintenance on vehicles, and helping water maintenance with water main breaks.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported that he has been traveling and commended the street department on the handling of the ice and snow. Commissioner Ikemire reported the City streets are better than the communities he has visited. Commissioner Ikemire reported the finance of the city are inline with the overall budget. Commissioner Ikemire reported overall the Cities finances are in good shape.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported that monthly water samples are not being submitted to the State, as their offices are closed.
Commissioner Dulgar stated that he recently went to Mt. Vernon, Illinois to speak with their public works department regarding their water meters. Commissioner Dulgar reported that Mt. Vernon’s meter reading is very similar to Mt. Carmel’s system.
Commissioner Dulgar the City is waiting on the Illinois EPA to approve the loan agreement for the new water plant. Once this is approved, the City can move forward with the project. It is expected to be approved at any time.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the City has had several main breaks. Dulgar stated there are a few sinkholes on Division Street. Commissioner Dulgar stated those will be getting addressed this week.
Commissioner Dulgar reported that he is still working with Donohue Engineering concerning issues at the City waste water facility. Commissioner Dulgar stated the engineering firm has made recommendations that would cost the City millions of dollars. Commissioner Dulgar advised Donohue was looking into the actual upgrades to the waste water facility.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman advised Republic was out and trying to collect all trash, but due to the weather there is a chance not all trash will be picked up. Commissioner Zimmerman reported that should residents need a trash tote, please call City Hall.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported during the last two weeks the fire department responded to 22 runs. Commissioner Zimmerman reported the calls varied from brush fires, medical calls, vehicle accidents, and a structure fire. Commissioner reported the department recently completed CPR training.
Commissioner Zimmerman asked residents to stop using any plug-in heaters if they are not operating properly. She also emphasized the importance of having your chimney cleaned if you plan on using it this winter.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner presented the second reading of ordinance of 2065 concerning abandon buildings in the City. Turner then presented the second reading of ordinance 2068 concerning the number of licenses allowed by the City. The amount was lowered, not raised.
City Administrative Assistant Turner thanked Bobe’s Pizza for their donation of pizza to the City workers for all their hard work during the recent snow storm.
CITY ATTORNEY – BRADY WALDROP
City Attorney Waldrop-no report
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb-absent.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams thanked Commissioner Zimmerman for her donation to the Sean Riley 50/50 fund. Commissioner Zimmerman won the 50/50 and donated the money to the Riley family.
Mayor Judge authorized Chief McWilliams to provide West Salem with a surplus vehicle radio. Chief McWilliams stated there was no use for the older items since the department has moved to digital status.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth-No report.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire 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 by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:36 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11509/02-07-22_minutes.pdf
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