City of Mt. Carmel City Council met April 4.
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 March 21, 2022. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged David James with Mount Carmel Public Utility, who was in attendance reminding citizens that with Little League Season starting soon to please do not park by the public utility building located at 410 South Mulberry Street.
Mayor Judge acknowledged John Clancy, who stated he is planning a Lone Ranger Day Event for Saturday, June 25th at the Merchants Park.
Mayor Judge stated, with springtime arriving, he is promoting safety in the school zones by reminded citizens to beware of the school children and to not use a cell phone while driving in the school zones.
Mayor Judge reported he attended meetings in Springfield recently and stated there is a lot of information as well as new mandates coming our way. Mayor Judge stated there will be more information to come as it unfolds.
Mayor Judge reminded the deadline for the City of Mount Carmel’s Aces Scholarship is this Friday, April 8th and the application should be submitted to the high school guidance office by 3:30 pm.
Mayor Judge reported the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is requesting that a traffic study be done at the city park to manage speeding as well as to see if stop signs need to be installed at the crosswalks. Mayor Judge acknowledged Police Chief McWilliams, who stated he will have the officers begin the study and will report back to the council.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Dave Dallas, who stated it is time for the council to address the MFT Street Maintenance Program and reported the seven primary items are as follows: traffic signal lights, street patching, street sweeping, street chip and seal, resurfacing five blocks with new asphalt, crack/joint sealing, and purchasing salt for next winter. Mr. Dallas asked council approval to accept Resolution 687, which is for the summer maintenance program with the total approximate cost this year in the amount of $304,124.60.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported, in the past two weeks, the street department completed the installation of the new bleachers at the West Fourth Street Ballpark; replaced several signs at various locations; cleaned the East Fifth Street boat ramp; seeded the area at West Third and Poplar Streets where the sidewalk was replaced; prepped a storage area for the brick dust for the ball fields; performed maintenance on equipment in preparedness for Spring use; continued to fill several potholes; installed new trash cans at the city park; continued working on the public works building; and cleaned the street intakes.
Commissioner Meeks reminded residents, with mowing season starting, to please do not blow grass clippings into the street.
Commissioner Meeks reported the city is receiving approximately forty trees from IDOT due to the construction at the Cherry Street Bridge area and the planting areas will be marked at the city park as well as Lincoln Park this Thursday.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the revenues over the last two weeks were minimal at $48,174.00 and expenses were $99,249.00 in the general fund. Commissioner Ikemire added City Administrative Assistant Turner will be presenting to the council the first reading of the budget for the 2022/2023 fiscal year.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar thanked Mount Carmel Public Utility for their assistance with the Little League Ballpark and also thanked the city’s public works department as well as Dave Easter for the work at the Fourth Street ballfield.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water maintenance department de-winterized the park shelter, pickleball facility, and the Oak Street water fountain; located property for the community garden at Southgate; checked the sewer system for blockages; closed the levee gates due to the river rising; and met with contractors to locate lines for the new water treatment plant.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the wastewater plant repaired the quick switch floats at Cherry Street lift station; the sludge thickener tank was pumped out; repaired the electrical overload on the carter pump and the non-potable pump; replaced the sludge valve in the building in the basement at the plant.
Commissioner Dulgar reported Lead Operator Keith Reed collected the bacterial samples at the water treatment plant; the issue with one of the chlorinators should be fixed tomorrow; the maintenance department replaced the packing in one of the high surface pumps and demolition of the storage facility will be starting soon. Commissioner Dulgar stated he will report on the updates at the new water treatment as the events transpire.
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 eight runs; and toured the new facility at Wabash General Hospital.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated this week is Spring Clean-Up Week and reminded it is the individual’s responsibility to remove items not picked up by Republic Services. Commissioner Zimmerman stated Republic Services will not picked up construction material, electronics, microwaves, televisions, appliances, mattresses and box springs have to be totally wrapped in plastic.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported the new street sweeper is now being used everyday of the week to clean the city streets.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported the city has been trying to get a building demolished at 318 W. Second Street as it is in very bad shape. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the city has the opportunity to purchase the property for $1250.00 and asked council approval to move forward with the purchase as well as the demolition of the building.
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated this meeting constitutes the first reading of Ordinance 2073, which is the budget for the new fiscal year beginning May 1, 2022. Mayor Judge interjected by stating the budget will be available for public viewing until the next council meeting and he along with Commissioner Ikemire as well as City Administrative Assistant Turner will be reviewing the budget for any final adjustments.
CITY ATTORNEY – BRADY WALDROP
City Attorney Waldrop reminded residents to please keep their yards mowed as well as clean of trash and debris so the city does not have to mail them an ordinance violation notice.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb reported he has sent Mount Carmel Public Utility the application for demolition for the property at 1231 Bainum Street and stated this is now a requirement for all demolition applicants. Public Works Director Gidcumb further stated by sending the demolition application to Public Utility this helps to make them aware of the demolition as well as to ensure electrical and gas services have been removed from the property. Public Works Director Gidcumb affirmed no demolition permit will be approved without the completed Mount Carmel Public Utility sign off form.
Public Works Director Gidcumb stated he along with representatives from the fire department will be meeting at the hospital tomorrow to go over the alarm system; the sprinkler system; and conducting a “walk-through” of the facility to ensure all codes have been met in order to issue the hospital its certificate of occupancy.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams reported the police department partnered with the Illinois State Police on drug investigations. This resulted in warrants being issued and six people being arrested on narcotic charges.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth stated the new full-time Firefighter Robert Clark has completed his firefighting apparatus engineering class.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to purchase 318 W. Second Street from the owner for $1250.00. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to accept Resolution 687, also known as the Summer Maintenance Program. The program is projected to cost $304,124.60. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda contained 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 Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:38 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11513/04-04-22_minutes.pdf
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