City of Mount Carmel City Council met May 30.
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, Tyson Meador, 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 May 15, 2023. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Zimmerman and Meador voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to approve the meeting held on May 17, 2023 – minutes were entered into records. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Zimmerman and Meador voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Shea Smith with the Mount Carmel Little League, who was in attendance seeking approval to collect donations on Saturday, June 10th at the intersections of East Ninth and Cherry, West Fifth and Walnut, Market and Thirteenth.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Patty Courtright, who was in attendance regarding the moving of a mobile home onto the property at 901 E. Fifth Street. Mayor Judge reiterated Ms. Courtright had attended prior council meetings regarding this issue and stated several ordinances would have to be changed in order to allow the mobile home to be moved onto the property. The council had previously denied the changing of the mobile home ordinance and Ms. Courtright was in attendance this evening to further state her case in hopes the council would readdress their decision. After the council discussed the request again with Ms. Courtright; Mayor Judge asked for a motion to move forward with investigating the changing of the ordinance to allow the placement of the mobile home and hearing no response, Mayor Judge affirmed the ordinance will remain.
Mayor Judge reported the swimming pool is open and functioning at the best of its capacity it currently can run. Mayor Judge stated multiple issues with filter beds were discovered and adjustments have been made to the backwashing, which could affect the water pressure in the Park Road area. Mayor Judge reported Sunday was a great day at the pool and Monday, Memorial Day, attendance was at full capacity. Mayor Judge thanked everyone who came to the pool. Mayor Judge stated the concession prices have changed to offer more economical prices; anyone wishing to sponsor a free swim day the cost is $325.00; private pool parties are $200.00 and anyone wishing to have a party should call city hall at 618-262-4822. Mayor Judge added, new to the pool this year, is Aqua Dance Fitness with Cassie Grimes from 8:00 am to 9:00 am on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and the cost is $2.00, per class.
Mayor Judge stated the city has been working on a variety of grants for this summer: the Illinois Housing Department Authority Grant assists with the removal of blight properties; the Brownfield Grant will be applied for to assist with the former Snap-On property; and the Parks Grant in the amount of $2.8 million for funding for a new city pool. Mayor Judge is in hopes by August or September the city will receive some favorable news regarding these grants.
Mayor Judge reminded residents rebar, wire, and anything other than branches does not belong in the brush pile for the chipper truck. Mayor Judge affirmed these items can not only damage the chipper but more importantly could also injure a city worker.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meador reported, in the past two weeks, the street department worked on Kiddie Land at the park; did some maintenance work on Park Road near the intakes; finished prepping the pool for opening day; laid asphalt in a few places in the city park; and sprayed weeds for the summer chip/seal program.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Ikemire reported, in the last two weeks, receipts totaled $58,207.15 while expenditures were $222,816.00 and the city’s finances are in good shape for the first month of the new fiscal year.
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Meeks reported all is running smoothly at the waste water plant and a few high school classes toured the water plant.
Commissioner Meeks stated the water maintenance department have been mowing as well as weed eating; and they added chemicals to the city pool
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman congratulated Wabash Valley College Archery Team Member Clay Dempsey on winning the NCAA Fixed Pin Gold Medal and the Wabash Valley College Baseball Team, who are continuing in the NJCAA Series.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported, over the last two weeks the fire department, responded to twelve calls and conducted training. Commissioner Zimmerman stated the department displayed the flag for the Memorial Day Celebration.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated Republic Services picks up the trash on Monday even if it falls on a holiday with the only exception being if Christmas falls on a Monday. Commissioner Zimmerman reported she is working with City Administrative Turner on a procedure that will assist residents whose trash is missed on a Monday when city hall is closed. Commissioner Zimmerman also said trash totes should have plenty of space left between them and any vehicles, mail boxes, or other objects when they’re set out curbside.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported the mosquito spraying will start within the next two weeks.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated Dan Schonert is ready to move forward with acquiring the city’s property at 502 N. Market Street through the TIF Program. City Administrative Assistant Turner reported Moran Development stated if Mr. Schonert does not develop the property in a certain time frame the property will revert back to the city. After council discussion, it was decided that City Administrative Turner should have Moran Development draw up a contract to be presented at the next council meeting.
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported the city has obtained the property located at 923 W. Third Street and asked council approval to accept bids for the demolition of the house on the property with the bid deadline being June 12th at 3:00 pm.
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated Resolution 698 memorializes the council’s decision to seek funding for a new municipal swimming pool as one of the grants the city is applying for is in the amount of $2.8 million.
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported the city’s website is not ADA compliant and the company the city uses for its software is Alliant, therefore the expense to be in compliance, through Alliant, is an annual expense of $5000.00.
City Administrative Assistant Turner reiterated he had 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 the compensation expense to Moran Development for the study would be approximately $23,500.00 and asked council approval to move forward with a formal contract with Moran.
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported a special meeting will be held on Monday, June 12th at 1:00 pm at city hall regarding the plans for the new swimming pool and stated the public is invited to attend.
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the fire department roof bids were reviewed as there were discrepancies on the city’s bid information and Sharp Solutions did not include the ice/water shields on their bid, however that was included in David Brown’s bid, but his bid was approximately $4000.00 higher. City Administrative Assistant Turner asked council for a motion on which bid to accept.
CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH
City Attorney McCullough no report.
AIRPORT MANAGER – PARIS PENNINGTON
Airport Manager Pennington reported an audio system was installed at the airport to help with the bird problem. Airport Manager Pennington stated an electrical company checked the electrical grid as there has been some issues with the lights and he has applied for a grant to purchase new lights at the airport.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams no report.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth asked residents to please do not use gasoline to start a recreational fire in a burn pit and to please use caution while burning.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb no report.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to memorialize the council’s decision to seek funding for a new municipal swimming pool. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Zimmerman and Meador voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to enter into a contract with Moran Economic Development Group to establish a business district. The amount to be spent is $23,500.00 with reimbursable expenses up to $2000.00. All voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Zimmerman and Meador voted Aye.
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to accept David Brown bid to replace the Mount Carmel Fire Department roof at $39,600.00 All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Zimmerman and Meador 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, Zimmerman and Meador voted Aye.
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 4:45 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11598/05-30-2023_minutes.pdf
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