City of Mount Carmel City Council met Nov. 28
Here is 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 Zimmerman seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on November 14, 2022. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Wabash County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lesley Hipsher, who was in attendance requesting Market Street from Third to Eighth Streets be closed for the Fifty-Sixth Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 3rd beginning at 5:15 pm.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Sandy Keneipp, with Deno’s Craft Shop and Learning Cave, who was in attendance thanking the council for barricades that were up out for her open house that was held on November 12th and stated the event went very well. Ms. Keneipp asked council if a handi-capped parking spot could be placed in front of her business at 302 N. Market Street. Mayor Judge stated the council will confer with Public Works Director Mike Gidcumb to see what the ADA requirements are for a handi-capped accessible parking stall.
Mayor Judge announced the Christmas Uptown Event will be this Friday, December 2nd and the Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 3rd starting at 5:15pm.
Mayor Judge wished Brady Waldrop well on his new adventure as the states’ attorney in Lawrence County. Mayor Judge asked council consideration to appoint Derek McCullough as the new city attorney and stated Derek is currently an attorney with Gosnell, Borden, Enloe and Sloss.
Mayor Judge stated Mick Mollenhauer has been the city comptroller for several decades and as of December 9th, he will be retiring. Mayor Judge and the council wished Mick all the best in his retirement.
Mayor Judge announced on December 17th at 9:00 am, Disney Electronic Books will be given away as a drive through event at the city swimming pool.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported, in the past two weeks, the street department removed the Kiddie Land playground at the city park; started prepping the ground for the new playground equipment; have been getting the trucks ready for the snow removal and salt spreading; assisted water maintenance with water main breaks; finished pouring concrete at Division Street and Cherry Street; installed the Christmas decorations along Market Street; put up several new street signs that were damaged during the last storm; mulched leaves at the city park; cleaned the shop and several of the city vehicles.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire thanked Mick Mollenhauer for his time as city comptroller and wished him the best in his retirement.
Commissioner Ikemire reported, over the last two weeks, receipts totaled $439.05 and expenditures totaled $256,468.00 in the general fund with the city being ahead of budget on the revenue side of things.
Commissioner Ikemire stated within the consent agenda is the 2023 City Council meeting/holiday schedule and recommended the time for the meetings be changed to 4:00 pm. The council agreed to the time change from 5:00 to 4:00 pm.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water maintenance root sawed sewer mains throughout the city as part of the standard maintenance; met with Wabash General Hospital regarding the use of a fire hydrant while the hospital had some sewer work being done; and winterized the city’s water wells.
Commissioner Dulgar reminded residents to please stop flushing “flushable” wipes as the Ficklin Lift Station overloaded again with the wipes.
Commissioner Dulgar reported Kieffer Brothers Construction are on site back working at the water treatment plant and pressured tested the lines to the reservoir.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the Rural Wabash County Water District agreement is contained within the consent agenda.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman asked for a moment of silence to honor retired Firefighter Captain Terry “Moose” McGuire, who passed away on November 15th at his home in Palm Springs, CA and stated a memorial will be scheduled for a later time.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported, during the last two weeks, the fire department responded to several runs as well as several false alarms; and participated in training.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated the leaf crew is making the final “lap” throughout the city of picking up leaves.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner asked council to consider the accepting of bids for the city owned property at 318 W. Second Street, which is now a vacant lot as the city had the house demolished. The council agreed to accept bids until the next council meeting in two weeks.
CITY ATTORNEY – BRADY WALDROP
City Attorney Waldrop reported the closing for the sale of the city property at 131 N. Chestnut Street should be completed by the end of the year and there are other properties in remediation, which gives the owners as well as interested parties notice of legal action.
City Attorney Waldrop thanked the council for their well wishes and stated he has enjoyed working with the City of Mount Carmel.
AIRPORT MANAGER – PARIS PENNINGTON
Airport Manager Pennington absent.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams stated Deno’s Craft Shop and Learning Cave will be hosting the Grinch on Wednesday, November 30th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm to raise money for the Shop with a Cop/Fireman.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth asked residents to please be safe while using their fireplaces this winter season.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb no report.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to appoint Derek McCullough as next city attorney. All presented voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda contained approval of next year’s meeting/holiday schedule/time change; second reading of Ordinance 2080 – enter into agreement with Rural Water as a backup source for their water supply; 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 Ikemire seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:20 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11530/11-28-22_minutes.pdf
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