City of Mount Carmel City Council met March 6.
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 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 February 20, 2023. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Turner, who spoke on Wayne Walden’s behalf regarding council approval for the Kiwanis to hold two circus shows on April 22nd at the Southgate Industrial Park with the times being 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated Mr. Walden has completed the special event application and the Kiwanis have the required insurance. The council granted approval for the event.
Mayor Judge stated the City of Mount Carmel was awarded a $40,000.00 grant for the investigation of lead water service lines. Mayor Judge reported the investigation will start this summer with a city employee going door to door asking residents about the water lines coming into their homes and the material the lines are made of. Mayor Judge emphasized everyone’s cooperation will be greatly appreciated for this is a State of Illinois/IEPA required project. Mayor Judge stated if the homeowner has lead water lines, they are responsible for that line from the city’s water meter to their residence, however the city is applying for another grant that would assist any low-income residents that have lead water lines. Mayor Judge reported the grant amount is $400,000.00 and the city should be notified in August, if they will be awarded the grant.
Mayor Judge reported the city is still looking for lifeguards as well as concession stand workers for the swimming pool this summer and encouraged anyone interested to please submit an application at city hall. Mayor Judge stated he would like to start filling positions by mid-April and the city will pay for the cost of the lifeguard certification with the classes being held through the Evansville YMCA.
Mayor Judge stated the City of Mount Carmel’s Parks Department is looking for someone to clean the city park restrooms on a regular daily basis and anyone interested may submit an application at city hall.
Mayor Judge announced, for those who are running for city council, the inauguration will be May 1st at city hall at 4:00 pm.
Mayor Judge opened the two bids submitted for the demolition of the house located at 211 Hinde Street; Swanson Excavating bid $8500.00 and Jeff Guisewite, Inc. bid $7740.00. Mayor Judge asked for a motion for council to accept the low bid submitted by Jeff Guisewite, Inc.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reported, in the past two weeks, the street department fixed a large pot hole at the intersection of Oak and Poplar Streets; removed an old water intake and installed a new one at the intersection of North Drive and Janeway Drive; cleaned a drainage ditch and filled in some low spots at Lincoln Park; sprayed weed cleaner around several city owned properties; and picked up brush after the recent storms.
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, the general fund received $144,000.00 in receipts and had $113,742.00 in expenditures and noted the Motor Fuel Tax Fund has a balance of $839,219.00.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar was not in attendance for roll call and joined in after the start of the meeting.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the primary sludge pipe was installed on the anaerobic digestor at the waste water plant and all is back in operation.
Commissioner Dulgar stated all is running smooth at the water treatment plant; the basins will be drained and cleaned later this month as part of the routine maintenance. Commissioner Dulgar reported he received a couple reports regarding water issues and Lead Operator Keith Reed tested the water with all being fine.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water maintenance department assisted with the laying of pipe and installed a floating aerator into the small tank at the water treatment plant.
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.
Commissioner Zimmerman, also announced the 20th Annual Guns and Hoses Event will be on Sunday, March 12th at Wabash Valley College with the first game starting at 1:00 pm. Commissioner Zimmerman stated the proceeds from the fundraising event will be donated for a new Santa House.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported the recent heavy winds did some damage to the fire station and the city will be looking into getting those repairs done.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated, during the last two weeks, the fire department responded to nine calls, which included assisting the police department and EMS; conducted fire fighter training in reference to different “roof pitches” as well as different types of buildings.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported, within the consent agenda, is the donation of a squad card to WEMA, that is no longer used by the police department and stated WEMA Representative Don Banks is in attendance to except the donation once council approves the consent agenda.
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated, also in the consent agenda, is Resolution 695 – Summer Road Maintenance Program with $515,000.00 being allotted this year towards the program. City Administrative Assistant Turner acknowledged Dave Dallas, who gave an overview of the program, which encompasses various items this year.
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported city hall was been working on the new payroll system for the city employees and hopes to have it rolled out by the end of April.
CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH
City Attorney McCullough reported he had been working on a complaint regarding an individual allowing a dog to run at large and the individual was fined for that violation. City Attorney McCullough stated he has also been working with Public Works Director Gidcumb regarding remediation on dilapidated houses in Mount Carmel.
AIRPORT MANAGER – PARIS PENNINGTON
Airport Manager Pennington absent.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams reported Officer Ashton Walker is patrolling solo now as he has completed his field training and he is working the night shift.
Police Chief McWilliams stated the department has been very busy with issues regarding drugs and guns. Police Chief McWilliams reported the State Police SWAT Team, along with other agencies, assisted with a search warrant/arrest warrant of an individual that was selling drugs as well as fire arms. Police Chief McWilliams affirmed the police department will take advantage of all assets that are available to keep everyone safe.
Police Chief McWilliams reported, in February, the police department took ten guns off the street in Mount Carmel from people that were felons, which is a positive aspect in the sense of “getting the streets cleaned up” in Mount Carmel.
Police Chief McWilliams reiterated Mount Carmel Public Utility President David James had asked if the city’s dispatchers would take over “after hour” gas leak calls in order to get a quicker response time. Police Chief McWilliams stated an agreement has been made and the dispatchers will start taking over those calls once the training with Public Utility has been completed.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth no report.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb stated there was a leak in one of the sewer mains at West Third and Vine Streets that caused a sinkhole, therefore West Third Street from Walnut to Oak Streets will be closed until the repairs are completed.
Public Works Director Gidcumb reported he has completed the addressing for the river camps from behind the sea wall onto Hydraulic Avenue all the way to Twin Rivers. Public Works Director Gidcumb stated anyone on city property between Twin Rivers and Golden Aces Way should go to the public works office at 602 E. Fifth Street starting next week to pick up an application packet to lease the property from the city at one hundred dollars, per lot, per year, with the application deadline being April 28th and Dave Easter may be called at 618-263-1130 with any questions or concerns regarding the river camp sites. Public Works Director Gidcumb reported anyone leasing a river camp that is behind the sea wall should also pick up the lease application at 602 E. Fifth Street for the 2023 year.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the bid quote of $7740.00 by Guisewite, Inc. to tear down residence located at 211 Hinde Street. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda contained approval of the donation of the squad car to WEMA; approval of Resolution 695; 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 adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 4:26 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11592/03-06-23_minutes.pdf
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