City of Mt. Carmel City Council met July 11.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Invocation was given by Reverend 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 June 27, 2022. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Wabash County of Commerce Executive Director Lesley Hipsher, who was in attendance to announce the Annual Ag Days Festival August 3rd to August 6th and asked council approval for the street closures from Fifth Street through the intersection of Third Street beginning at 2:00 pm Tuesday, August 2nd, while keeping a fire lane open on the west side of Market Street.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Chris and Tina Howton, who were in attendance to discuss the “Smokin for Garrett” event at Merchants Park on September 16 and 17th, which is also the MCHS Homecoming Celebration. Mr. Howton asked council approval to close the streets from Second to Fifth during the event. After discussing the activities planned for the event, the council advised the Howton’s to meet with City Administrative Assistant Turner to address any further questions.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Doug Kieffer, who stated West Berwick Golf Club is sponsoring a golf tournament September 10th through 11th and asked council approval to allow out of town people with RVs and campers to “dry camp” at the swimming pool parking lot during the event.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Richard Johnston, who was in attendance to address the council concerning the river camps. Mr. Johnston stated he was told by the city he no longer had a river camp as he violated his contract and he felt he was treated unfairly. After a lengthy discussion, City Administrative Assistant Turner affirmed he would work with Mr. Johnston on the potential leasing of another camp with Mr. Johnston’s understanding of the rules/regulations of leasing a camp.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Helen Gillihan, who also addressed the council about her family’s river camp by stating she feels they are being treated unfairly as they have three campers on the lot and now, they have been told only one camper is allowed, per lot. Mayor Judge stated the city has to follow its ordinances as well as the state statues regarding more than one dwelling on a lot/parcel of land. Mayor Judge added the city is still working on contacting individuals that have river camps as there are some that have more than one camper on a lot, but assured Mrs. Gillihan those issues will be addressed.
Mayor Judge acknowledged the resident that lives in the 1100 block of Mulberry, who asked if additional stop signs could be put up at 11th and Mulberry Streets as he was concerned about safety issues because people speed down Mulberry Street. Mayor Judge asked Police Chief McWilliams to conduct a speed check to determine if additional stop signs should be placed at that intersection.
Mayor Judge reported the Fantastic Fourth Celebration went off with a “bang” as there were lots of concerts as well as other events and he hoped everyone enjoyed all the festivities. Mayor Judge stated the different seating and parking arrangements for the fireworks display worked out well.
Mayor Judge asked the commissioners to please review the evaluation of the city pool as it is now complete and to give himself as well as City Administrative Assistant Turner any feedback on how to move forward.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks stated the brush crew continues to pick up brush and asked residents to please be patient as the crew is working as fast as they can.
Commissioner Meeks reported, as part of the summer road maintenance, milling work will be done on July 14, 15, 18 and paving will be done on July 19, 20 in the designated areas. Commissioner Meeks asked residents to please observe the closed street signs and stated anyone living in the work areas should not leave their vehicles parked along the street.
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 $5192.00 with expenditures of $172,901.00 and the city is trending ahead of schedule as far as revenues in the current budget year.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar stated as prep work was done at the new water plant site some water was stirred up in the clear well so residents may see some discolored water for a brief period of time, however this shouldn’t last long and some residents may not even notice it.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water maintenance department responded to water leaks; marked water lines for a gas project; worked at the Cherry Street lift station; fixed sink holes; checked the pumps and backwashed the water at the city pool; and installed a meter on a water hydrant for a company performing asphalt work.
Commissioner Dulgar stated, over the last seven years, an aeration project; an outfall project; along with a digestor project have been done at the wastewater plant with $4.3 million being spent and $3.5 million of the expenses is a loan the city has to repay. Commissioner Dulgar reported, unfortunately, the city is at a point where the sewer fees charged on water bills might have to be increased and he would like to discuss the increase further at the next council meeting.
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 a few house fires; participated in the July 4th parade and assisted at the fireworks. Commissioner Zimmerman commended the firefighters as they had to work in extreme heat responding to the house fires.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated the brush crew has been working very hard and thanked them for their efforts. Commissioner Zimmerman reiterated to please put brush near the street not in the alley or in the actual street and to please be patient while waiting for the brush to be picked up.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported Republic Services did pick up trash on Monday, July 4th and stated if anyone’s trash is not picked up to please call city hall.
Commissioner Zimmerman thanked Gerrod Birkla, who is part of the brush department and who on his own time, helped set up the Little League fields for the tournament that is being held.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported contained within the consent agenda is Resolution 690 - approval of IMRF participation, which allows elected officials to participate in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, if their position requires performance of duties of one thousand hours or more; Resolution 691 – payment of TIF monies to 309 Homes LLC for the remediation of the former Borowiaks IGA building and the council had approved that payment at a prior council meeting; Resolution 692 – payment of TIF monies to Scooters Coffee and the council had also approved the $50,000.00 payment, however resolutions have to be established to satisfy state requirements.
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated there is a supply/demand issue regarding the new water treatment facility and Kieffer Brothers Construction has located materials that are equivalent to the materials that were originally specified in the contract, however since the materials are not the exact same as the contract specifies the city has to make the payment of $35,000.00 as the funds cannot be taken out of loan proceeds, per IEPA guidelines, therefore the monies collected from water plant fees that were added to the water bills may be used for the payment, per council approval.
CITY ATTORNEY – BRADY WALDROP
City Attorney Waldrop no report.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams stated the fireworks display and the different parking issue this year went well and he thanked WEMA for assisting with traffic and parking during the event. Police McWilliams reported the 4th of July parade went well also and thanked State Police Officer Mark Zimmerman with traffic control at Ninth and Market Streets during the parade.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth thanked the public for being safe during the July 4th events as there no emergencies reported to the fire department.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb no report.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Dulgar motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to allow Kieffer Brothers Construction to utilize material that is an equivalent to the material that was originally specified in the original contract. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda contained Resolution 690 – Approval of IMRF Participation; Resolution 691 – Payment from TIF to 309 Homes LLC; Resolution 692 – Payment from TIF to Scooters Coffee and approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman 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/11520/07-11-2022_minutes.pdf
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