City of Mount Carmel City Council met April 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Invocation was given by Pastor Darrel Thompson.
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 April 4, 2022. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Travis Thompson, who was in attendance seeking council approval for the possible vacating of the “cul de sac” area at 5 Southgate Drive and also seeking approval for an easement from the city to access the back portion of his property. Mr. Thompson, who is an owner of the property, is wanting to fence in his entire property which includes the “cul de sac”. After council discussion, it was decided to table a decision until the next meeting to allow City Administrative Assistant Turner time to prepare the required documents to present at the next council meeting.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Yale Epler with the Mount Carmel Masonic Lodge who was seeking council approval to establish a lease with the city for the use of the former girl scout cabin on West First Street for their lodge to reside in. City Administrative Assistant Turner interjected and stated discussions have been held with Mr. Epler regarding the terms of the term lease agreement. After council discussion, a motion was passed to move forward with lease.
Mayor Judge welcomed Rachel Wallace, who was in attendance to announce that she intends to build a new Scooters Coffee at Ninth and Market Streets. Ms. Wallace stated the coffee shop is drive-thru only and she has applied for TIF assistance from the city in the amount of $50,000.00. Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Turner, who reported he has discussed the TIF application with the city’s advisors and Ms. Wallace would qualify with the understanding the monies may only be used for the land purchase as well as infrastructure improvements, not the structure itself.
Mayor Judge reported there has been some vandalism at the city park and affirmed if violators are caught, they will be prosecuted. Mayor Judge stated six video cameras were installed at the park last Friday as a deterrent to the vandalism. Mayor Judge asked citizens to please keep the park looking nice and to be proud of all the improvements made to the park.
Mayor Judge stated Commissioner Ikemire will report on the budget for the new fiscal year. Mayor Judge reported he along with Commissioner Ikemire met with City Comptroller Mick Mollenhauer and made some difficult cuts to the budget as there are some potential expenses in the coming year that are not included in the budget.
Mayor Judge read a statement dated August 30, 2021, which stated Governor Pritzker signed into law the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act making Illinois the third state in the nation to require replacement of lead drinking water pipes. Mayor Judge stated, as required by law, the City of Mount Carmel held a meeting on April 11th at 8:00 am and have completed the city’s initial material inventory. Mayor Judge reported, over the coming year, the water/sewer maintenance department will be conducting tests on its service lines in the water system. Mayor Judge explained a city service line is from the water main to the water meter of a home or commercial building and asked for everyone’s cooperation throughout this process.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported, in the past two weeks, the street department continued moving items into the public works building; cleaned the shop area; replaced several street signs; installed the rules sign at the gaga ball court; filled several potholes; worked on leveling some alleys; cut a tree at West Sixth and Vine Streets; opened and closed a grave at Rose Hill Cemetery; fixed a culvert and sink hole at West Twelfth and Cedar Streets; continued cross training with other departments; cleaned intakes; and approximately forty new trees were planted at the city park and Lincoln Park.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported the receipts over the past two weeks totaled $357, 511.00 and expenses were $146,861.00 with most of the receipts being from sales tax, state income tax, utility tax, state use tax and replacement tax. Commissioner Ikemire stated the general fund for next year is budgeted with a surplus, however there can be unexpected expenses and stated he appreciated all the departments hard work on the budgets. Commissioner Ikemire reported the city’s budget is in good shape and hopes to maintain that going forward.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported Water Well #2 had communication issues and should be repaired this week; Gerrod Birkla and Noah Bell have completed their cross training at the water treatment plant; and demolition of the old reservoir at the plant is ongoing.
Commissioner Dulgar reiterated the screw pump at the wastewater department was repaired in house and during the recent heavy rains there was no flooding at the plant due to the repairing of the pump. Commissioner Dulgar stated he is very appreciative of the repairs as it was a big savings for the city and very thankful there was no flooding. Commissioner Dulgar reported there is an issue with the #2 pump at the Cherry Street Lift Station and replacement costs are being checked on.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the time table for the lead service line replacement is April 15, 2023 for an updated materials list; 2024 for the final material list; 2025 to 2027 a replacement plan has to be submitted to IEPA annually; and in 2027 the final plan has to be submitted to the IEPA. Commissioner Dulgar reiterated the water maintenance department will test service lines for lead; instruct residents on what needs to be done; and supply the resident with the report. Commissioner Dulgar stated by 2042 to 2044, the city as well as every homeowner has to be lead free.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman reiterated the gentlemen from the garbage department have been cross training at the water treatment plant and that process has been going very well; the crew have also begun mowing; they continue to pick up yard waste and brush along the regular routes; the street sweeper has been out cleaning the streets.
Commissioner Zimmerman congratulated the fire department on receiving a small equipment grant in the amount of $25,160.01.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported during the last two weeks the fire department responded to nine runs and the bi-monthly meeting covered hazmat materials.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner presented to the council for approval Ordinance 2073 – 2022/2023 Budget and Ordinance 2074 – Amending Budget Ordinance 2049, which updates the projected end of the 2021/2022 budget year.
City Administrative Assistant Turner thanked Tim Zimmer and the Wabash River Corps for the recent cleaning up the river bank.
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 stated since the last council meeting the officers have stepped up patrols at the city park. Police Chief McWilliams reported a few drivers were warned to slow down and he suggested placing the current stop sign at the park at another vantage point rather than putting up an additional stop sign.
Police Chief McWilliams reported the department is in the process of updating its policies and procedures.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reiterated the fire department received a small equipment grant from the State Fire Marshall Office, which will allow for the purchase of three self-contained beathing apparatuses.
Fire Chief Speth stated two firefighters will be taking a state hazmat test in May.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to move forward with renting city owned property at First and Walnut. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve TIF application for Scooters at $50,000.00. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve Ordinance 2073 – 2022/2023 budget. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve Ordinance 2074 – amending Ordinance 2049 for the 2021/2022 budget year. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Meeks 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 Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:51 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11514/04-18-22_minutes.pdf
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