City of Mount Carmel City Council met Feb. 20.
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 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 February 6, 2023. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge stated Burbach Aquatics will be giving a release this evening, via zoom, regarding the feasibility study for the city pool. The Burbach Aquatics Spokesman gave an overview of the history as well as the layout and mechanics of the pool; explained some of the issues with the pool that are not code compliant; and presented the proposed changes/upgrades to make the pool ADA compliant. Mayor Judge thanked Burbach Aquatics for the presentation and updating the council as well as the public on the status of the pool.
Mayor Judge stated he has been working on renewing his Open Meeting Act and FOIA certifications.
Mayor Judge reported work at the intersection of Seventh/Cherry Street is running behind and hopefully, if all goes as planned, the intersection will reopen this Thursday or Friday.
Mayor Judge announced Kyle McCleave and Elijah Hadra will be attending drone school on February 22nd and 23rd, this will help the city to be diversified by having a firefighter as well as a police officer available in the time of need.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported, in the past two weeks, the street department has been cleaning intakes due to all the recent heavy rains; burned and cleaned up the brush harbor; did maintenance on street department equipment; cleaned out a ditch at Lincoln Park and at the water treatment plant; started dirt work on Kiddie Land in the city park; started installing the new grills at the city park; picked up brush at Rose Hill Cemetery in preparation for spring mowing; and ran the street sweeper over several streets.
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, receipts totaled $275,000 and expenditures totaled $145,000 with approximately over two months left in the fiscal year. Commissioner Ikemire stated the majority of the receipts were from state income tax and sales tax. Commissioner Ikemire noted City Administrative Turner has started the budget process for the all departments for the new fiscal year.
Commissioner Ikemire stated he has found a potential new supplier for the senior citizens center, which could hopefully be a money savings opportunity and the salesperson will be meeting with City Administrative Assistant Turner, Senior Citizens Director Tracy Dunkel and himself.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar absent.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman announced the city-wide yard sales will be March 31st through April 1st, followed by the city’s spring clean-up week, April 3rd though April 7th. Commissioner Zimmerman stated the spring clean-up week is technically Monday, April 3rd and residents should have their larger items sitting out on that Monday for pick-up, which will be picked up by a different trash truck. Commissioner Zimmerman reminded residents to please do not put out building material, electronics, paint unless it is dried up with sand or kitty litter.
Commissioner Zimmerman, also announced the Guns and Hoses Event will be on March 12th at Wabash Valley College, in memory of Retired Fire Captain Terry “Moose” McGuire.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported the brush department has been busy running their normal pick up route and reminded residents they should put their brush or yard waste out near the street, not in the street, for pick-up on the weekly rotation schedule. Commissioner Zimmerman asked residents for their patience, as sometimes the department does run behind because they are helping other entities with other duties.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported, during the last two weeks, the fire department had multiple calls helping with alarm systems and assisting the EMS. Commissioner Zimmerman stated, last Monday, a spokesman from the CDC gave a presentation to the department regarding firefighters and cancer.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
Mayor Judge reported for City Administrative Assistant Turner who was absent.
Mayor Judge stated the city has a 2016 Ford Explorer, which is a retired police squad car and asked council to consider donating the vehicle to WEMA, since they do so much for the city as far as traffic control itself as well as assisting the fire and the police departments in various aspects. Mayor Judge acknowledged Police Chief McWilliams, who stated WEMA is a great partner for the police department as well as the fire department and this vehicle is definitely is much needed by WEMA. Mayor Judge emphasized it would be a nice gesture for the City of Mount Carmel to make the donation to WEMA and he will present the donation at the next meeting for council approval.
Mayor Judge reported the council gave approval for City Administrative Assistant Turner to attend the Sheriff’s Sale at the courthouse for the property on Hinde Street and the city was able to purchase that property for the minimum bid of $9001.00. Mayor Judge stated the city will be accepting bids for the demolition of the house. Mayor Judge added there is a pole building on the property that city will use for storage as well as allowing use by the Little League and once the house is torn down that area will be used for extra parking for Little League as well.
CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH
City Attorney McCullough reported the court did approve the sale as well as immediate possession to the city of the property on Hinde Street.
AIRPORT MANAGER – PARIS PENNINGTON
Airport Manager Pennington stated
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams reported there has been some issues with the electric bicycle riders not being in compliance with the laws and the police department will be stepping up with enforcement efforts as there have been several complaints regarding this matter.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth no report.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb absent.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
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, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 4:36 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11591/02-20-23_minutes.pdf
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