City of Mount Carmel City Council met June 12.
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 30, 2023. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge stated the Fantastic Fourth Schedule will be announced next week with many attractions this year to include the “Touch a Truck” event; concerts at Merchant’s Park; the Rotary Corn Day; and the celebration ending with the fireworks display on July 4th beginning at 9:00 pm. Mayor Judge stated the setup for parking for the fireworks will be the same as last year as there is still construction going on at the high school football stadium.
Mayor Judge reported the city has been contacted by Republic Services regarding the garbage contract and the extending of the current contract for three to five years, which will in turn lock in the price. Mayor Judge stated if the city chooses to accept bids again for the garbage service there could be a significant increase in costs. Mayor Judge asked the council to review the information as he will present the proposal for discussion at the next council meeting.
Mayor Judge asked residents, if they have not filled out the lead service line survey to please go online and fill it out within the next two weeks as the list is being finalized. Mayor Judge added if the survey is not submitted, the city will begin going door to door in order to complete the surveys and stated this is IEPA mandatory survey.
Mayor Judge stated a required public meeting was held today at city hall regarding the $2.8 million grant for the new city pool. Mayor Judge reported the city has been selected to present needed funding for the pool to the Illinois Basin Review Board.
Mayor Judge announced the Illinois Director of Public Engagements will be in Mount Carmel to tour the swimming pool as well as visiting other locations that the city is seeking grant funding for.
Mayor Judge congratulated the WVC Warriors Baseball Team on finishing second in the JUCO World Series and thanked the Mount Carmel Fire Department along with the Police Department for treating the team to a celebration parade.
Mayor Judge thanked MCPD Officer Kyle McCleave and Mount Carmel Firefighter Elijah Hadra on completing their four-day drone training, which is the beginning step of receiving their FAA Drone License.
Mayor Judge reiterated at the last council meeting City Administrative Assistant Turner had asked approval to make the city’s website ADA compliant as the city could legally be made aware of the noncompliance. Mayor Judge stated he recently learned at an IML meeting, that the city could be
exempt from this requirement. Mayor Judge asked that no decision be made regarding the website until he receives confirmation of the exemption from the Illinois Municipal League.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meador reported, in the past two weeks, the street department filled potholes; replaced a broken traffic light at Ninth and Oak Streets; poured concrete at the ballfields for the bleachers; and performed several routine maintenance duties.
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 $118,612.95 and expenditures of $99,916.27 with the majority of the revenues being from sales tax income. Commissioner Ikemire noted the garbage fund is at $127,883.00 and the airport is in good standing with $324,000.00 in its account.
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Meeks stated the Consumer Confidence Report for the water is available to review on the city’s website.
Commissioner Meeks reported the wastewater department finished pouring the north and south drying beds; cleaned the troughs in the #1 and #2 final clarifiers; cleaned troughs in the chlorine tank; worked on the storm bypass and the final drive is now operational.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman reminded residents that the brush harbor is open on Monday from 7:30 to 3:30, Friday 7:30 to 3:30, and Saturday 9:00 to 3:00 for anyone who would like to haul off their brush. Commissioner Zimmerman stated the brush crew does run its normal weekly route on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported the mosquito sprayer is making his rounds
Commissioner Zimmerman reported, over the last two weeks the fire department, responded to eight runs with four of the runs being structure fires; escorted the WVC Baseball Team parade; and participated in the Wabash Valley Sportsman Club event at Lake Froman.
Commissioner Zimmerman congratulated Raymond Giffin on his retirement from the Mount Carmel Fire Department for over twenty years of service.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported there is a typo in the consent agenda, the TIF agreement with Bob’s Pizza should be Resolution 699.
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated he is waiting on a legal opinion from the attorney regarding the TIF eligibility for the grant request from Dan Schonert before the presenting it to the council for approval.
City Administrative Assistant Turner read a statement regarding the creek project in Oak Meadows Phase II Subdivision and stated it was never meant to be the large project it became as he had met with Jeff Guisewite before the project started with the intent being to clean out the ditch to alleviate flooding issues in the Oak Meadows Phase I Subdivision. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated as work progressed on the project it “snowballed” and unfortunately the trees near the creek could not be saved; the area below MotoRad as well as the city owned property was also being damaged; the privately owned property on the other side of the creek had large sinkholes that had to be fixed; and the overflow from the pond emptied into the creek which in turn was washing away some areas. City Administrative Assistant Turner affirmed therefore the city chose to move forward with the project since the creek had not been properly maintained for many years. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated a residential/commercial landscaper has been contracted to give the city some layouts, which will be presented to the residents in that subdivision to come up with a plan to resolve the tree removal issue. City Administrative Assistant Turner emphasized he takes full responsibility for the communication to the subdivision residents and will work with Mayor Judge, the Council, Public Works Director Gidcumb and the residents to try to appease everyone.
CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH
City Attorney McCullough stated the TIF Grant agreement for Mr. Schonert should be available for review prior to the next council meeting.
AIRPORT MANAGER – PARIS PENNINGTON
Airport Manager Pennington reported fuel sales were $2697.45 and hangar rent totaled $1420.00 for the month of May.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams asked, in preparation for the July 4th Fireworks display, that the overflow parking be similar to last year as it worked well and WEMA will be assisting again with the traffic/parking.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reported pressure testing of water hydrants was done last Friday for the city’s ISO rating.
Fire Chief Speth asked citizens to please do not pile up brush/tree limbs near their house, garage, fence, under power or cable lines in the event of a fire.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb reported Huff Sealing will be crack sealing along Park Road on June 19th and the summer chip/seal program will be starting the week of July 11th.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda contained approval of Resolution 699 – Bobes, LLC/TIF Contract and approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meador motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 4:19 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11599/06-12-2023_minutes.pdf
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