City of Mt. Carmel City Council met March 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 February 21, 2022. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Jeff Thomas, who was in attendance asking the council to increase the number of liquor licenses particularly the “C Class” license, which is for package liquor stores. Mr. Thomas and his partner purchased the former Boss Machine Shop building at West Third and Chestnut Streets, in hopes of opening a package liquor store. After council discussion, it was decided to not increase the number of licenses at this time.
Mayor Judge reported community feed-back is encouraged, however detailed information is needed in order to take care of any issue. Mayor Judge stated he recently received a note that was placed in the drop box at city hall regarding an issue on Elm Street but the note did not state the actual area of Elm Street. Mayor Judge reminded residents to please call city hall with any questions or concerns so a work order can then be written up to take care of the issue.
Mayor Judge reiterated the city will be investing in two local students with the funds from the gambling tax revenues in the amount of $750.00, per scholarship. Mayor Judge stated monies from the gambling tax revenues will also be used to make improvements at the Fourth Street Ballpark by purchasing new bleachers and pouring concrete pads for the bleachers to be placed on.
Mayor Judge addressed the council regarding the swimming pool fees, as pool season is approaching and asked if the fees for admissions as well as pool parties should remain the same as last year. After council decision, it was decided for the fees to remain the same at $2.50 for admissions and $175.00 for pool parties.
Mayor Judge reported Public Works Director Mike Gidcumb and Water Maintenance Foreman Brian Cropper met with Cardinal Pump Company regarding the rebuilding/repairing of the pumps at the city pool. Mayor Judge asked council approval for the expense of up to $40,000.00 for the improvements to the main circulation and backwash pumps, in order for the pool to be open this year. Mayor Judge reiterated the pool had to close early last year due to the issues with the pump system.
Mayor Judge stated City Administrative Assistant Turner recently rented offices in the Public Works Building to Illinois Department of Transportation along with the construction company, Sierra Bravo and the Southeastern Agency on the Aging rented two offices today.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported, in the past two weeks, the street department worked at the public works building; cleaned intakes; assisted the water/sewer maintenance department with a sewer main blockage in the 1100 block of Mulberry Street; replaced various street signs by the high school; inspected several storm drain issues caused by obstructions; spread salt for the upcoming ice storms; patched several potholes; changed lights and poured concrete pads for the new bleachers at the Fourth Street Ballpark; and assisted the water department with repairs at the Mulberry Street Lift Station.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the last two weeks have been quiet in terms of revenue but overall, the city’s finances are doing well.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported, within the consent agenda, is the resolution which authorizes the moving forward of the contract agreement with Kieffer Brothers Construction for the new water treatment plant and stated thankfully everything, thus far is on track for the construction of the plant.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the levee pumps are still running and bacterial water samples were sent in from the water treatment plant, as a precaution, due to the high river levels.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the wastewater plant crew changed the oil and greased the aeriation blowers; K&M changed out pump number one at the Mulberry Street Lift Station; the routine samples were collected and sent in.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the maintenance department finished filling the hole created from repair work on Mulberry Street; repaired a water main break today at East Tenth and Pear Streets; repaired a broken sewer line in the alley at 1225 N. Chestnut Street and inspected the pump gates at the Pecan Avenue Lift Station.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman reported during the last two weeks the fire department responded to eleven runs; conducted training on their turnout gear and repaired some mechanical issues with the ladder truck. Commissioner Zimmerman commended the fire department as they assisted the Crossville. IL fire department with a large building fire.
Commissioner Zimmerman announced the Guns and Hoses Fundraising Event will be on Sunday, March 13th with the proceeds going to a new Santa House. Commissioner Zimmerman thanked Rod Rodriguez for organizing the event.
Commissioner Zimmerman reminded the city’s dump site does not accept tires, paint, or electronics and stated the city is working on organizing at electronics recycling day later this year.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the following items are contained within the consent agenda: a TIF Application from T&M Furniture Corporation in the amount of $10,000.00 for improvements to the roadway/entrance to the former Fearheiley Lumber Company building; a TIF Application in the amount of $50,000.00 for the new owners of the former IGA Grocery Store, which the funds will be used to assist with the asbestos cleanup in the building; the approval of the Empire Street Plat as well as the first reading of Ordinance 2027/Dedication of Empire Street and waive second reading, which will help to accommodate the proposed new mental health facility at the north end of Empire Street and lastly Resolution 686, authorization of the signatures for the construction of the new water treatment facility.
City Administrative Assistant Turner asked council approval to move forward with the legal proceedings at 500 and 502 N. Market Street, the Little Egypt Arts Center. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated since September 2020, the city received a report that the structures were not safe and the city has met with the owner, Mr. John Clancy on a number of occasions with no progress being made. City Administrative Assistant Turner acknowledged John Clancy, who stated the architect advised that 502 N. Market Street did not need to be taken down. After council discussion with Mr. Clancy, a motion was presented to move forward with the legal proceedings.
CITY ATTORNEY – BRADY WALDROP
City Attorney Waldrop no report.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb reported himself along with Dave Easter and members of the fire department have been inspecting the new medical building at the hospital as well as Dr. Fullop’s building.
Public Works Director Gidcumb stated all the departments have been working together very well and more work is being accomplished under the public works department.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams no report.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reminded citizens to please do not burn brush or have fires in fire pits on windy days.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the pool improvement up to $40,000, out of Capital Improvements. All present vote by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve authorization to move forward with legal action against Little Egypt Arts Center. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda contained TIF Application Review/ T & M Furniture Corp; TIF Application Review/Old IGA Building; Approval of Empire Street Plat; first reading of Ordinance 2027/dedication of Empire Street; Resolution 686/Authorization of signatures of water plant construction; 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 Ikemire seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:50 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11511/03-07-22_minutes.pdf
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