City of Mount Carmel City Council met Jan. 9.
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 Derek McCullough
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 December 27, 2022. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Chris and Tina Howton, who were in attendance to discuss the “Smokin for Garrett” event at Merchants Park this year. Mayor Judge asked them to contact City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner with the dates they are considering and to move forward from there.
Mayor Judge stated the theme for the state of the city address is “Reinvesting in our Future”, which will focus on the highlights as well as accomplishments in 2022 in relation to the community partnerships, infrastructure improvements, progress in economic development, enhancements and quality of life, community services, and things to come in 2023; which will set the plan for the future of City of Mount Carmel. Mayor Judge announced he will give the address on Friday, January 13th
Mayor Judge reported the intersection of Cherry Street and Seventh Street will be closed for brick replacement, effective tomorrow morning at 8:00 am. Mayor Judge apologized for the short notice of the closure and stated he is excited about the donations Jay Dee has received over the last couple years for the project as there will be no expense to the city. Mayor Judge thanked everyone who donated to the project and Jay Dee for all his efforts.
Mayor Judge stated the City of Mount Carmel Pool Committee will release the engineering study at the February 20th council meeting to discuss the future of the city pool and possible options.
Mayor Judge reported, at the city park, there is a nice long sidewalk from the road to the restrooms and emphasized the sidewalk is not a road for cars to drive on to get to the restrooms.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported, in the past two weeks, the street department cleaned several intakes; performed maintenance on several pieces of equipment; did some road repair work on Division Street; worked on cleaning up the brush harbor; poured a sidewalk on West Ninth Street; repaired the intake leak on Third Street; assisted the sewer department with the repairing of a sinkhole; hauled off several piles of brush; and started restoring some of the park benches.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported, over the last two weeks, revenues totaled $93,548.00 with approximately four months left in the fiscal year. Commissioner Ikemire stated he has had discussions with City Administrative Assistant Turner regarding doing reports for the council electronically instead of on paper as well as streamlining some of the processes.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water maintenance department used the new camera to locate new sink holes; assisted Mount Carmel Public Utility with the location of a water main; and also used the camera to inspect roads.
Commissioner Dulgar stated construction continues on the new water treatment plant.
Commissioner Dulgar reported Mayor Judge along with himself were contacted by Tracy Swanson regarding the location of the pump station for the backup water connection for the city and the Rural Wabash County Water District.
Commissioner Dulgar stated, thankfully, the Ficklin Lift Station has not overloaded recently, however the basket has had to be changed often due to wipes still being flushed.
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 nine calls, which included alarm activations with no fire; carbon dioxide detectors and assisting EMS.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated residents may put their live Christmas trees out by the curb for the brush crew to pick up on the normal pick-up day. Commissioner Zimmerman reported Republic Services is back on tract and has picked up everyone’s trash after the confusion at Christmas time.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported this meeting constitutes the first reading of Ordinance 2084 – amending the liquor alcohol beverage ordinance. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the amendment of the ordinance solidifies that children are not to be in gaming facilities.
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated city hall is trying to go as paperless as possible and asked council approval for the purchase of at least five Apple iPads to be issued out to the council members in the amount of $2500.00.
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported he had emailed each commissioner the revised special event application, which will help the city facilitate the needs of the individual hosting an event and also gives the council more information prior to the approving of an event.
City Administrative Assistant Turner asked council approval for an ordinance to be created for “no parking” on either side of the street in the one hundred-block of Cedar, as the street is very narrow and it is unsafe for vehicles to park along that area.
CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH
City Attorney McCullough no report.
AIRPORT MANAGER – PARIS PENNINGTON
Airport Manager Pennington absent.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams thanked the hospital for the use of their board room and training room tomorrow for some required yearly service training.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth thanked the public for the cold snap we had at Christmas time because the fire department only had two emergencies to respond to.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb reiterated the intersection of Cherry and Seventh Streets will be closed for approximately three weeks starting tomorrow.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve special meeting held on December 20, 2022. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners 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 special event application; 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 Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to move to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing the purchase of Hinde Street property. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Regular session of the council meeting recessed at 4:22 pm for executive session.
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to return to regular meeting from Executive Session. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Executive session ended at 4:41 pm. Regular session resumed with council members present
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to authorize the city clerk to bid on property at 211 Hinde Street, not to exceed $35,000.00. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 4:42 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11588/01-09-2023_minutes.pdf
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