City of Mount Carmel City Council met June 27.
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, 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 Zimmerman seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on June 13, 2022. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner, who spoke on behalf of Masonic Lodge Member Yale Epler, stating the Masons are donating $1000.00 to the city for storm and tornado relief to help offset some of those expenses. The council thanked the Masonic Lodge for the donation.
Mayor Judge stated there is an opening on the zoning board and asked council approval to move Shawn Storckman from alternate to full board member to fill the vacancy. Mayor Judge added Tyson Meador has agreed to fill the alternate position on the zoning board and asked council approval for that appointment as well.
Mayor Judge reported the city works with the IDOT every year and repeatedly asked for the construction of an overpass at the railroad crossing on Walnut Street, as it is a state highway, not a city street. Mayor Judge strongly encouraged every member of the community wanting an overpass to please contact IDOT, the Illinois House Member for this district, the Illinois State Senator, the Federal Senator and Federal House Member. Mayor Judge affirmed the city needs the community’s help with this situation so in turn the city may help the community.
Mayor Judge to stress to the public that the City of Mount Carmel and Mount Carmel Public Utility have reciprocal relationship. Mayor Judge affirmed it is wonderful to have a local utility company with a quick response in times of need. Mayor Judge thanked Mount Carmel Public Utility for their continuing support of the City of Mount Carmel.
Mayor Judge gave “kudos” to Police Officer Art Kimmel who was on duty yesterday during the train derailment on the railroad bridge. Kimmel was applauded for how he managed the situation.
Mayor Judge opened and read the bids for the squad car; Wayne Byrns - $1110.00, Cary Spray - $3000.00, Ring Wood Motors - $2680.00, Emergency Remarking - $1369.18, David Pierce - $1187.00, and Robin Kerns - $1000.00. After discussing the submitted bids, the council agreed to reject all of the bids.
Mayor Judge reported the city has a great Fantastic Fourth Celebration starting this Wednesday, June 29th going through Monday, July 4th and encouraged everyone to attend the various activities. Mayor Judge stated he was informed by Dr. Bleyer with Wabash District #348 that no one is allowed on the school grounds during the fireworks celebration.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks asked residents to please patience with the brush crew as they are working as hard as they can to get all the brush picked up.
Commissioner Meeks reported, over the past two weeks the street department, filled potholes; completed the new sidewalk at the city park; continue to clean up after the storm damage; started the new sidewalk on Market Street across from city hall; continued the mowing of city properties; performed maintenance on street department equipment.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported, over the past two weeks, receipts totaled $252,728.00 with expenditures of $124,403.00 and the city finances are doing well.
Commissioner Ikemire stated the Annual Senior Citizens Fish Fry is this Thursday, June 30th.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar absent.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman reiterated the brush crew has been working non-stop with only two workers and asked residents to please be patient. Commissioner Zimmerman reminded to please put brush near the street not in the alley or in the actual street.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated the mosquito spraying is ongoing. She hopes the program will help reduce the number of mosquitos in the city.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported during the last two weeks, the fire department responded to thirteen runs and conducted hazmat training during the regular meeting.
Commissioner Zimmerman asked citizens to please be safe while participating in recreational fireworks in hopes of preventing fires and/or injuries.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the storm damage has been processed and turned into the insurance. City Administrative Assistant Turner reported the city has received approximately $80,000.00 in storm related bills.
City Administrative Assistant Turner reiterated that residents should not put their brush in alleys to be picked up by the city brush crew; brush should be placed near the street. City Administrative Assistant Turner added Republic Services does not follow the same route and same pick up time every Monday for the regular trash service. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated anyone whose trash is actually missed should please call city hall so Republic Services may be contacted.
CITY ATTORNEY – BRADY WALDROP
City Attorney Waldrop no report.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams stated he too appreciates the working relationship between the police department and Mount Carmel Public Utility. McWilliams stated the department also has been working will with the Wabash County Sheriff’s Department and WEMA. Police Chief McWilliams thanked the city’s public works department for their assistance Sunday afternoon with the train derailment.
Police Chief Mike McWilliams reported his department with the assistance of WEMA will do their best to facilitate the parking for the fireworks on July 4th and stating everyone’s cooperation is greatly appreciated.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth asked citizens to be very careful when using fireworks and to please be safe.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb announced the summer maintenance paving program for the designated areas is as follows: July 11th, the signage will be put up in the work areas; milling work will be done on July 14, 15, 18; paving will be done on July 19 and 20. Public Works Director stated the chip/seal program is scheduled to be done in September.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to appoint Shawn Storckman to the zoning board. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to appoint Tyson Meador to the zoning board as alternate. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to reject bids for squad car. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, 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, Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Regular session of the council meeting ended for Liquor Control Commission at 5:25 pm. Meeting adjourned at 5:28 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11519/06-27-22_minutes.pdf
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