City of Mount Carmel City Council met Sept. 18.
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
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mayor Judge requested a motion to approve the minutes of the last council meeting.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on September 5, 2023. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged Mike Hocking with HHE Properties, who was inquiring if the city had any plans for the Solar Eclipse next year. Mayor Judge stated two events are being planned one here in the city along with one at the airport and he thanked Mr. Hocking for his interest.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Kyle Peach, who was in attendance seeking council approval for donation of $2500.00 for the Christmas Uptown Event on Friday, December 1st. Mr. Peach stated the monies will be used to secure the rental of one of the trains at the event. The donation was approved and Mr. Peach thanked the council.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Mike Harris, who addressed the council regarding the Merchants Park Pavilion and stated some enhancements are being planned for that area uptown. Mr. Harris gave an overview of some the future plans and asked if the planner he is working with could meet with the council at another time to give more in depth ideas, as she was unable to attend the meeting this evening. Mr. Harris stated the concerts at Merchants Park this year were very well attended and he is looking forward to the events next year as well as the purposed enhancements.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Sandra Crothers with Buckeye’s Bar and Grill, who was seeking council approval to close the three hundred block of Market Street on Saturday, September 30 for their grand opening event. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated Ms. Crothers has already submitted the special event application. After a brief discussion, the council approved the special event request.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Ed McPherson with McPherson Outdoors, who was in attendance seeking council approval to build a billboard on the “Napa Triangle” located at the northeast side of Ninth and Walnut Streets. Mr. McPherson stated he has contacted the owner of the property and has obtained an easement for the billboard. The council granted approval after a brief discussion.
Mayor Judge announced three special guests are attendance at the meeting this evening; Theo Johnson, Roman Johnson, and Oliver Johnson. Mayor Judge reported they won the “Mayor for a Day” he had donated to the St. Mary’s City of Lights fundraiser. Mayor Judge stated the boys have been given the task of deciding the dates for Trick or Treating this year and by the show of candy bars given to them by the mayor, they voted for two days of Trick or Treating. Mayor Judge asked council approval for the Trick or Treating to be held on Monday, October 30th and Tuesday, October 31st from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm each evening. Mayor Judge thanked the boys for the very important decision they made this evening.
Mayor Judge reported the Parks Advisory Board has positions open as well as the alternate position for the Zoning Board and applications will be available at city hall for anyone wishing to do civil service for the community by serving on those boards.
Mayor Judge stated Vic Singh has stepped down from the zoning board and asked council approval to appoint Mallory Fuller to the zoning board.
Mayor Judge reiterated at the next council meeting he asked approval for the forming of the Mount Carmel Pool Foundation, which will be a 501(3) (c) foundation. Mayor Judge reported, after conferring with the city attorney, he was advised the city has to form a foundation board. Mayor Judge stated the board would consist of the mayor, the finance commissioner, the city administrator as well as two community members and he asked council approval to appoint Bonnie Griggs along with Leslie Glenn to the board. Mayor Judge added their term of service on the board will be October 2023 to October 2026.
Mayor Judge reported the mulch company should be delivering the mulch for Kiddie Land at the park by Friday and hopefully by the end of the business day on Friday, Kiddie Land will be open.
Mayor Judge thanked the residents who have already filled out the lead service water line survey and asked residents who have not filled out the survey to please do so as it is still on the city’s website or a paper form of the survey is available at city hall. Mayor Judge stated this is required by the State of Illinois and not the City of Mount Carmel.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meador reported, over the last two weeks, the street department continued maintenance work on equipment and have been working on the Chestnut Street sidewalks.
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, revenue totaled $188,827.00 in the general fund and expenses $37,220.00 with the majority of revenue coming from the various tax areas.
Commissioner Ikemire stated the Senior Citizens Center had a nice open house last Friday.
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Meeks stated the water treatment plant drained/cleaned the outside basins and performed routine maintenance.
Commissioner Meeks reported the water/sewer maintenance department did eight locates; sprayed and did weed-eating at certain areas; installed three hundred feet of new water line.
Commissioner Meeks stated the waste water plant performed normal maintenance and Ficklin Lift Station overloaded due to flushable wipes. Commissioner Meeks stressed to residents to please do not flush wipes as they can cause the sewer to back-up.
Commissioner Meeks reported Lead Water Treatment Plant Operator Keith Reed attended the annual IPWSOA Water Conference and brought back some helpful information.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman reported, over the last two weeks, the fire department responded to twenty-six calls with several of those calls were at the same locations. Commissioner Zimmerman stated a policy needs to be implemented to help alleviate some of those “false alarm” calls.
Commissioner Zimmerman stated October is Fire Prevention Month and reminded this is a good reminder time for residents to check their smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors.
Commissioner Zimmerman asked for thoughts and prayers for a city resident who lost her house to a fire last week. Commissioner Zimmerman thanked all the departments who assisted at the fire even though they were unable to save her house.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported several members of the fire department attended a “round table discussion” and training on putting out fires on electric vehicles at the Princeton Fire Department.
Commissioner Zimmerman reminded fall trash pick-up is October 2nd and stated Republic Services is requesting that no items be placed in paper bags or cardboard boxes, however to please place those smaller items in trash bags or water proof containers. Commissioner Zimmerman reminded that Republic Services will not pick up any construction materials, electronics, televisions, microwaves, refrigerators, stoves and mattresses/ box springs have to wrapped in plastic. Commissioner Zimmerman stated an online form has been created on the city’s website for residents to use in the event city hall is closed on trash pick-up day and trash was missed.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the “Smokin for Garrett” organizers are requesting that the area of Market Street for the event remain blocked off until 8:00 am Sunday, October 8th and if it’s cool in the evenings of the event, the teams are requesting to have fire pits near their stands. The council approved the time extension of the street closure but, denied the request for fire pits.
City Administrative Assistant Turner reported there were no bids submitted for 615 N. Cherry Street therefore, the selling of that property will be tabled for now.
City Administrative Assistant Turner stated he has received a bid sheet from the contractor to “beautify” the area in Oak Meadows Subdivision II, where trees had been removed in and around the creek. City Administrative Assistant Turner added Jeff Guisewite has to install a new drainage system before any other work can be done.
CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH
City Attorney McCullough reported he has written several ordinance violations in the past few weeks for the motorized bicycles.
AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA
Airport Manager Garica reported he has been busy maintaining the airport equipment and mowing the grass.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams reported a golf cart permit had been pulled today because the cart had been sold and the new owner did not reregister it. Police Chief McWilliams reminded residents that golf cart as well as the bicycle permits do not transfer; the new owners have to reregister.
Police Chief McWilliams stated a vehicle was stolen this afternoon, fortunately it has been recovered but the culprit was not apprehended. Police Chief McWilliams added this is a good reminder to make sure to keep your vehicle locked.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth absent.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb stated there is still sidewalk as well as driveway work to do along Division Street and the city is waiting on an engineer from IDOT to determine the ADA compatibility
Public Works Director Gidcumb reported there are still a few sidewalk projects to be finished, which includes the Chestnut Street sidewalk and then, in the fall, the crews will start the tree removal projects. Public Works Director Gidcumb reminded the council, with leaf season quickly approaching, a new vehicle is needed for the leaf vac and that purchase was included in this year’s budget.
OLD BUSINESS
Mayor Judge reported he has spoken with Republic Services and hopefully within the next few weeks the city’s contract extension with them will be finalized.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to donate $2500.00 to Christmas Uptown. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to accept McPherson Outdoors request for a billboard at Ninth and Walnut Street. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meador motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to approve Mallory Fuller to serve on the Zoning Board. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to accept Bonnie Griggs and Leslie Glenn on the City of Mount Carmel Pool Foundation Board. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Meador 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, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to move to Executive Session. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Regular session of the council meeting recessed at 4:48 pm for executive session
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to exit Executive Session. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Executive session ended at 5:18 pm. Regular session resumed with all council members present
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:19 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11606/09-18-2023_minutes.pdf
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