City of Mount Carmel City Council met April 3.
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, Justin Dulgar, 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 Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 20, 2023. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge asked for a moment of silence for those affected and for the families who lost loved ones during the severe storms last Friday night.
Mayor Judge stated the city park bathrooms are open for the summer season.
Mayor Judge reiterated the IEPA Lead Service Line Project mandates that an inventory be taken to identify what type of water line goes into each home. Mayor Judge stated, on the city’s website, there is a link with a water service line survey for residents to fill out and he encouraged individuals to please submit the survey online to help the city with this project. Mayor Judge emphasized everyone cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Mayor Judge wished all the candidates’ good luck tomorrow and stated any individual who puts themselves in the possible position of public office shows great compassion for their community.
Mayor Judge reported a meeting was held to discuss thirty proposed projects for the city and a project summary was put together in which Public Works Director Gidcumb will be working with the commissioners to complete the projects. Mayor Judge stated with the City of Mount Carmel going to a public works concept most projects are done “in-house” and he thanked all the employees for their dedication.
Mayor Judge reiterated he along with City Administrative Assistant Turner travelled to Washington DC and proposed several projects for the city as well as Wabash County with one of the proposed projects being funding for levee improvements, which is a very large expense. Mayor Judge added the city swimming pool project was also presented.
Mayor Judge stated the First National Bank and the City of Mount Carmel are sponsoring an E Cycling Event on May 20th from 9:00 am to noon at 1520 West Ninth Street, which is the former Shopko parking lot. Mayor Judge reported most items will be recycled for free but there is a charge for some items. Mayor Judge stated he along with Commissioner Zimmerman have been working for some time on trying to organize this event and are thankful it is was finally organized.
Mayor Judge reiterated at the last council meeting Ron Peach had asked the council about potentially selling the city’s river lots on River Road. After discussing the proposal, the council decided to table a decision until the next council meeting.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks stated, unfortunately, the work on Kiddie Land at the city park has not been completed due to the weather conditions.
Commissioner Meeks reported, in the past two weeks, the street department continued to grind stumps; assisted the water department with a water main break; continued to fill potholes; installed a new toilet at the Senior Citizens Center; repaired the sprayer on the street sweeper; did dirt work at the police shooting range; installed new lights at the Fourth Street Ballpark; the flood gates were installed; and conducted safety training with the bucket truck.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials. Commissioner Ikemire absent.
Mayor Judge reported for Commissioner Ikemire and stated the first reading of the budget has been emailed to the commissioners for review.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water treatment plant basin clarifiers will be drained and cleaned next week; the pump stations are still being ran due to the high river level; and the annual consumer confidence report is being worked on.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the water maintenance department retired a water service line that had been installed for the football field construction; turned the water on in the restrooms at the city park and the Fourth Street ball park; performed routine sewer maintenance.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the wastewater department changed oil and filters; sharpened blades for the mower; flood gates were shut and the pumps were turned on; the final clarifier motor was rebuilt and installed; the first quarter sludge report was finished and 64.7 dry tons of sludge was pressed.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman reported, during the last two weeks, the fire department had nine events and Fire Chief Speth along with several other firefighters assisted at Robinson with the tornado aftermath.
Commissioner Zimmerman reminded that Republic Services started picking up the larger items this week for Spring Clean-Up and stated everyone should have their items already sitting out because once Republic Services goes throughout the city, they will not come back to recollect items.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated the brush crew continues to collect the brush and yard waste on their normal routes.
Commissioner Zimmerman reiterated the E-Cycling Event will be on May 20th.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
Public Works Director Gidcumb reported for City Administrative Assistant Turner who was absent.
Public Works Director Gidcumb stated the city will be accepting bids on a non-running 2013 Ford Taurus with the bid deadline of April 17th at 3:00 pm.
Public Works Director Gidcumb reported this meeting constitutes the first reading of the new fiscal budget.
Public Works Director Gidcumb stated the Keystone Energy Solar Project discussion will be postponed until the April 17th council meeting.
CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH
City Attorney McCullough reported he has been working on ordinance violations for animals running at large
AIRPORT MANAGER – PARIS PENNINGTON
Airport Manager Pennington absent.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams no report.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reiterated the fire department assisted at Robinson and Palestine over the weekend with all the devastation from the recent tornado.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb no report.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks 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, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 4:23 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11594/04-03-2023_minutes.pdf
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