City of Mount Carmel Parks and Recreation Committee met Feb. 6.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
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 January 23, 2023. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Jay Dee, who was in attendance regarding the Cherry Street Brick Project, that council had previously approved and gave an overview of the current part of the project that is under construction at the intersection of Seventh and Cherry Streets. Mr. Dee stated donations are still being accepted and may be made through the Area Economic Alliance to the Cherry Street Brick Fund so more areas of Cherry Street may have the brick street restored. The council thanked Mr. Dee for his efforts and for undertaking the restoring of Cherry Street.
Mayor Judge reiterated the Class of 2026 Fundraiser request was tabled at the last council meeting and he asked the council to readdress the request this evening. Commissioner Ikemire stated he reviewed the ordinance regarding “construction material” being in individuals’ yards and he didn’t have an issue with the fundraiser concept but he personally didn’t agree with the placing of a toilet in a yard. Commissioner Zimmerman interjected by stating that she agreed with Commissioner Ikemire that by allowing this fundraiser a precedent would be set for future similar requests and exceptions cannot be allowed for fundraisers. Commissioner Meeks stated he that did not have a problem with the request. Commissioner Dulgar said he was not in favor of the fundraiser idea. Mayor Judge acknowledged Class of 2026 Spokesperson Rhonda Noll, who gave an overview of the fundraising request and addressed the council again with any questions. After further council discussion, Mayor Judge asked for a motion to approve the request. Commissioner Meeks made the motion, however the request failed as no second motion was made to move forward with the fundraiser.
Mayor Judge stated it will be another week at least before the Seventh and Cherry Street intersection will reopen for traffic.
Mayor Judge reported, in December, he along with City Administrative Assistant Turner wrote a grant for the lead service line inventory in the amount of $40,000.00 and the city has been preliminarily awarded the grant. Mayor Judge stated the city has to prove the need for contractual services and once that has been completed, the city should hopefully secure the grant. Mayor Judge reported it is a State of Illinois requirement that every customer in the city’s water service district be asked what type of water line is coming into their house and this “inventory” has to be completed by June 2024. Mayor Judge stated the grant will help fund the dedicated employee, who will be conducting the inventory.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported, in the past two weeks, the street department salted the streets before and during the recent winter storm; performed demolition work at Fifth and Market Streets; patched several potholes; continued to perform maintenance on several pieces of equipment; removed a tree at Eleventh and Walnut Streets; put a new/used bed on the foreman’s pick-up truck; performed maintenance at the brush harbor; maintained the area where the sewer and water line work was done at Third and Division Streets; and continued to work on alleys on the west side of town.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reminded residents that Ninth Street is a state highway and the city is not responsible for filling all the potholes, as he noted the street is very rough.
Commissioner Ikemire stated City Administrative Turner is continuing to work with the Senior Citizens Center and their financial issues are being resolved. Commissioner Ikemire and Mayor Judge thanked the Wabash County Commissioners for the $10,000.00 donation to the Senior Citizens Center as that money will be used to help fund meals that are delivered to area senior citizens.
Commissioner Ikemire reported, over the last two weeks, receipts totaled $213,000.00 with expenditures of $193,000.00 with most of the revenue being from property tax monies.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported Lead Operator Heath Reed will be attending the yearly water conference on February 21st through February 23rd.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the maintenance department has been busy with sewer maintenance in problem areas as well as keeping busy with the routine duties.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the wastewater plant department had the oil changed on the gear reducer on the grit collector; the jet mixer for the digestor has been repaired and reinstalled.
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 seven runs, which including a cooking fire; renewed their CPR and AED training; and cleaned out all the burn cans that were turned over during the tornado
Commissioner Zimmerman announced there will be a memorial for retired Captain Terry McGuire on Saturday, February 11th beginning at 2:00 pm at the Eagles Club. Commissioner Zimmerman encouraged everyone to please attend the memorial to extend condolences to the family.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated Republic Services was running behind today on picking up the garbage and asked residents to please be patient when this occurs. Commissioner Zimmerman reported the trash pick-up for Skiles Drive and Ladue Drive will be handled differently and she will be in contact with those residents.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the city was able to purchase the property on Hinde Street last Friday and there is a pole building on the property that city will use for storage as well as allowing use by the Little League.
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported he is working on getting estimates for windows as well as upgrades for the property at 500 N. Market Street and stated all the trash has been removed from the building, however he emphasized it is a “work in progress”.
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported for Public Works Director Gidcumb, who was absent by reminding that all roofing contractors who work in the City of Mount Carmel have to have an Illinois Roofing License and if individuals are working on their own property, they still have to obtain a permit.
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated all the old grills are being removed at the city park and will be replaced with a few new ones.
CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH
City Attorney McCullough no report.
AIRPORT MANAGER – PARIS PENNINGTON
Airport Manager Pennington stated a snow removal equipment grant had been submitted however, adjustments had to be made and therefore the grant had to be reapplied for; the airport did receive a lawn mowing equipment grant and the details are being worked out; and there was snag with the hangar grant so that paperwork was resubmitted. Airport Manager Pennington reported fuel and hangar rent income for January was around $5000.00.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams no report.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reported two firefighters started their advanced firefighter training. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb absent.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Ikemire 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 and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 4:34 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11590/02-06-2023_minutes.pdf
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