City of Mount Carmel City Council met April 17.
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 April 3, 2023. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Mount Carmel Rally for Justice Spokesman Michael Stinson, who was in attendance to present the plans for the third annual MTC Pride Fest on June 10th at Merchants Park. Mr. Stinson stated the event will feature music, food trucks, as well as several vendors and asked council approval to block a portion of the 100 block of West 4th Street, just off of Market Street to allow for food truck setup and to provide a safer area for pedestrians. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated Mr. Stinson has already submitted the special event application.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Terry Beckerman, who was in attendance to announce the Wabash Roots-N-Que event on May 20th from noon to 9:00 pm with music and food trucks. Mr. Beckerman stated, unfortunately, the event has been downsized due to losing the sponsorship for the barbeque competition and asked approval for the closure of a portion of West Fourth Street as well as parking places on Market Street in front of Merchants Park. Mr. Beckerman stated he has submitted the special event application to City Administrative Assistant Turner.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Wes Bell, with Robinson Outdoor, who stated he is seeking approval to install a digital sign at the corner of Market and West Ninth Streets. Mr. Bell gave an overview of the sign placement, which would be a good informational tool for community events/needs and stated the city would receive free advertising on the sign. Mr. Bell affirmed Robinson Outdoor works well with being involved with the community. After a discussion, the council decided to take the request under advisement and will readdress the request at the May 15th meeting.
Mayor Judge reported Mayor Judge reiterated the lead service line survey is on the city’s website and encouraged residents to please fill out the survey as it will help the city with the required IEPA mandate regarding lead water service lines.
Mayor Judge reminded May 20th is the E-Cycling event in Mount Carmel.
Mayor Judge thanked Sergeant Cody Wall for his seven years of service to the City of Mount Carmel as he has accepted a position with the Evansville Fire Department.
Mayor Judge asked that residents please be aware that Police Chief McWilliams has increased police presence in the city park, due to vandalism and speeding. Mayor Judge stated he has reviewed the park cameras and is aware of the park activity, therefore, citizens should be aware that the park is being monitored. Mayor Judge also reminded citizens the park speed limit is ten mile per hour as several complaints have been received about speeders in the park and a few speeding tickets were recently issued. Mayor Judge stated, however, he is grateful the park is utilized and taken care of by so many people.
Mayor Judge stated citizens should not be driving their golf carts and UTVs on city streets unless they have their updated 2023 stickers and if they have not been registered yet with the police department. Mayor Judge affirmed police officers will be issuing tickets to individuals with outdated stickers and/or with no sticker.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meeks reminded that individuals must be sixteen years old to operate a golf cart or UTV and stated he has seen several underage drivers.
Commissioner Meeks reported, in the past two weeks, the street department has been cutting the tops out of several trees; continued the work at the police shooting range; filled several potholes; replaced lights at the Fourth Street ball park; worked on the dirt pile at Kidde Land in the city park; and poured concrete in the alley by Mount Carmel Public Utility.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire recommended a stop sign be placed in the city park at the exit of the park’s loop near the golf cart crossing as he has witnessed multiple people driving too fast around the park, as well. After council discussion, Mayor Judge stated an ordinance will be written regarding the placement of the stop sign and will be presented at the May 15th council meeting.
Commissioner Ikemire reported, in the last two weeks, receipts totaled $312,724.00 and expenditures were $151,715.00 in the general fund and over all the budget is in good shape. Commissioner Ikemire added the Motor Fuel Tax fund has a balance of $876,121.00.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water treatment plant basins were cleaned this past week and the all is running smoothly at the plant. Commissioner Dulgar stated the waste water plant is operating well and all is well with the water/sewer maintenance department.
Commissioner Dulgar congratulated Tyson Meador on being elected as city commissioner.
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 eleven runs and reviewed hazmat/tornado assessment training at the regular meeting.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated, on Friday, April 28th, she along with Fire Chief Speth, Lieutenant Hocking, and Captain Hadra will be attending the FDIC International Conference in Indianapolis.
Commissioner Zimmerman thanked everyone for their patience with the Spring Clean-Up week as Republic Services was assisting Robinson with its tornado clean-up, therefore, Mount Carmel’s pick up ran a week late. Commissioner Zimmerman reminded residents that construction material, which includes any types of wood will not be picked up by Republic Services.
Commissioner Zimmerman reiterated the E-Cycling Day is May 20th from 9:00 am to noon.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported city hall has been working on completing next year’s budget as well as working on taxes and the new payroll system should go in effect the first of May.
City Administrative Assistant Turner presented the one submitted bid for the 2013 Ford Taurus, which was a former police squad car and was inoperable. Mayor Judge opened and read the bid from Paris Pennington in the amount of $500.00
CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH
City Attorney McCullough reported an ordinance violation was issued for an inoperable vehicle with a resolution that was good for the city as well as the landowner.
AIRPORT MANAGER – PARIS PENNINGTON
Airport Manager Pennington reported fuel sales are increasing now that summer is here with total fuel sales being $2287.00 and hangar rent was $1420.00 for the month of March.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams thanked Sergeant Wall for his service to the community and stated he served the police department very well.
Police Chief McWilliams also thanked the street department for all the work done on the gun range and their efforts are greatly appreciated.
Police Chief McWilliams stated officers spent four different days going to the District #348 kindergarten classes for character education and he along with Officer Kimmel secured a new freezer for Bridges of Hope.
Police Chief McWilliams reiterated several complaints have been received regarding electric and motorized bicycles, therefore, after consulting with Mayor Judge as well as Public Works Director Gidcumb, an ordinance has put together to regulate the issue. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated this meeting constitutes the first reading of the ordinance.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reported, during the last two weeks, the fire department responded to three runs which were oven fires and suggested that individuals should clean their ovens.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb reported work is ongoing at the ballfields in preparation of the Little League season; the house on city owned property at 211 Hinde Street was demolished and a gravel parking lot is being made to be utilized by the ball fields.
NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Judge stated a new member needs to be appointed to the zoning board to fill Tyson Meador’s position as he was elected as a city commissioner. Mayor Judge recommended Chandler Madden be appointed to fill that position.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Dave Dallas, who gave an overview of the summer maintenance program for the city streets. Mr. Dallas recommended the city accept the submitted low bid for the crack/joint seal portion of the program and rebid the storm sewer replacement to lower that cost. Mr. Dallas stated he anticipates the maintenance work being done earlier in the summer this year.
Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Turner who reported he has reached out to Moran Development to do a feasibility study for the establishment of a business district in the city’s uptown area, which would assist with the redevelopment of that area. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated Moran Development recommended the business district take in Tenth and Market Street up to Second Street, then down to Walnut Street from Second as well as along Mulberry Street with only businesses being eligible. City Administrative Assistant Turner reported, through this program, the monies could be used for existing building remediation, street scape improvements, new construction, property acquisition, demolition, infrastructural repair and expansion.
OLD BUSINESS
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated, after conferring with the Former City Clerk Rudy Witsman, some of the river lots along Hydraulic Avenue are not eligible to sell and only eleven could be sold through the bidding or auction process. After council discussion and input from citizens voicing their interests/concerns about the river lots, the council approved to move forward with the sale of the lots.
Mayor Judge reiterated, at a prior council meeting, Keystone Solar had presented a proposal for the placement a solar farm at the waste water plant. Mayor Judge asked council approval to allow him to sign a letter of intent, which is the next step of the proposal but it would not be totally moving forward or committing to the project.
Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Turner, who stated the second reading of Ordinance 2089 – 2023/2024 Budget, will be presented for approval on April 28th with a public hearing at noon.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to accept the $500.00 bid for the 2013 Ford Taurus squad car from Paris Pennington. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve Chandler Madden’s appointment to the zoning board and removing Tyson Meador from the zoning board. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commsiioner Zimmerman seconded to approve 2023 MFT spending report as reported by City Engineer Dave Dallas. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve sale of river camps not connected to levy system. Process will be conducted by sealed bid then auction format. All present voted roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Dulgar, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to sign letter of intent moving forward with solar project involving Keystone Solar. 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 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 5:11 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11595/04-17-2023_minutes.pdf
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