City of Mount Carmel City Council met Oct. 2.
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, 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 Meador motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on September 18, 2023. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Turner, who reported Rob Dean is attendance this evening requesting TIF funds for renovations to his building on Walnut Street, which is now vacant and stated the TIF advisors gave a recommendation of allotting $50,000.00 from TIF funds. Mr. Dean stated his intent for the funds is parking lot repairs as well as HVAC work and thanked the city for their cooperation in assisting him with the application process.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Mike Harris, who was attendance to present some ideas for improvements to the Merchants Park area. Mr. Harris introduced Amy Lucia, who gave an overview of some of the new concepts to consider and discussed getting the community involved with funding through donations. Ms. Lucia stated the concepts could be done in stages, not necessarily all at once and asked council approval in moving forward with improvements to Merchants Park. After council discussion, Mayor Judge asked Ms. Lucia if she could provide some renderings of the concepts being considered before a decision is made.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Jason Johnson, who was in attendance expressing concerns regarding the “do not enter” sign at the top of the alley, which runs from East Third Street to East Fourth Street and is between Market Street/Mulberry Streets. Mr. Johnson asked the reasoning behind the sign and asked if it could be removed as he has had issues with deliveries being made to his business. Public Works Director Mike Gidcumb interjected by stating the regulation of an alley has to be done by city ordinance and asked if the council wished to write an ordinance to allow the removal/changing of the sign. After discussing the alley and receiving input by interested individuals in attendance, the council decided a study would need to be done, therefore, a decision will be tabled until the next meeting.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Lions Club President Logan Crum, who was in attendance seeking council approval to collect donations at the designated intersections for the Lions’s Club Annual Candy Fundraiser Event on October 13th and 14th
Mayor Judge acknowledged Ava Turner with the Mount Carmel CEO Program, who addressed the council regarding her CEO project, with the first stage being to build a commercial building in a residential area at East Ninth and Cherry Streets; the second stage of the plan is to build duplexes as well as townhouses with a parking lot between those buildings and the commercial building. Mayor Judge acknowledged Public Works Director Mike Gidcumb, who stated Ms. Turner’s request has already been approved by the zoning board and the board recommends the council approve her request. After a brief discussion, the council approved the request.
Mayor Judge acknowledged Herb Meeker with the HomeTown Register, who suggested the city review their evacuation procedures as well as their emergency communication process due to the recent emergency evacuation in Teutopolis, IL from an anhydrous ammonia tank spill caused by a traffic accident. Mayor Judge thanked Mr. Meeker and extended prayers to the City of Teutopolis.
Mayor Judge welcomed everyone in town this weekend for the Smokin’ for Garrett BBQ Festival.
Mayor Judge reported Airport Manager Garcia, City Administrative Assistant Turner along with himself have been meeting and putting together a timeline of projects for the airport to present at a meeting with the State of Illinois in the near future. Mayor Judge gave an overview of the various projects, which would all be very beneficial to the airport and also gave a brief history of the airport.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Meador reported, over the last two weeks, the street department has been working on the new sidewalks at West Seventh and Chestnut Streets; put down the rubber mulch in Kiddie Land at the city park; performed routine maintenance; replaced some street signs.
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials. Commissioner Ikemire absent.
COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Meeks stated the wastewater department performed routine maintenance and kept things running properly.
Commissioner Meeks reported the water treatment plant laid a new water line along Hydraulic Avenue and it is now in full operation.
Commissioner Meeks stated the water/sewer maintenance department continued with the routine duties.
COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Zimmerman stated October 8th through October 14th is Fire Prevention Week and the theme is “Cooking Safety Starts with You”. Commissioner Zimmerman encouraged individuals to have a fire prevention plan and/or to take time to review their plan with family or other household members.
Commissioner Zimmerman reported, over the last two weeks, the fire department responded to multiple calls; conducted hose testing; and attended the public relations event at the Eagles.
Commissioner Zimmerman reminded this is Fall Clean-Up Week and stated a different truck pick up the large items. Commissioner Zimmerman emphasized that residents should have their items sitting out today and do not add more items after today. Commissioner Zimmerman stated Republic Services will not pick up electronics or construction materials and items should be in plastic bags, not cardboard boxes.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER
City Administrative Assistant Turner no report.
CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH
City Attorney McCullough no report.
AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA
Airport Manager Garica reported, over the last two weeks, he has been busy mowing; maintaining equipment; and preparing for the winter season.
POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS
Police Chief McWilliams stated he would like to “set the record straight” regarding the homeless individual on Market Street; he along with Mayor Judge went to great lengths to attempt to help the individual and stated he has refused all attempts of assistance. Police Chief McWilliams added it is unfortunate the individual has to be arrested but when he has been legally barred from properties and continues to be on those properties, it is the police department’s obligation to enforce the law. Police Chief McWilliams welcomes anyone who would like to step up to help this individual.
FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH
Fire Chief Speth reported he along Mayor Judge made a trip to South Carolina to look at a fire rescue truck, which would be an asset to the fire department. Mayor Judge interjected by stating the council had already approved the use of $40,000.00 out of ARPA funds for the purchase of a fire vehicle and asked council approval for the authorization to negotiate the purchase of the rescue truck, pending approval by the Foreign Firefighters 2% Tax Board.
Fire Chief Speth reiterated next week is fire prevention week and the department will be going to the area schools to conduct fire drills.
Fire Chief Speth stated, with farming season going on, there is more farm equipment as well as semi-trucks on the roads and asked individuals to please use extreme caution while driving.
Fire Chief Speth asked resident to please be careful if they have camp fires as it is extremely dry outside.
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
Public Works Director Gidcumb reiterated 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 the first reading of Ordinance 2096 - Vacating a portion of Erin Drive is contained within the consent agenda and stated two individuals have purchased the last remaining lots on Erin Drive, therefore the city is vacating that portion of the roadway as it only goes to private driveways.
OLD BUSINESS
Mayor Judge reported he is still waiting to hear back from Republic Services regarding the extension of the garbage contract with the City of Mount Carmel.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to accept TIF Application of Robert Dean. Mr. Dean is requesting $50,000.00 for remediation to Walnut Street property. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to approve Ordinance 2097 - a variance to allow a commercial building and duplexes in a R-2 residential district in the City of Mount Carmel. Waive second reading. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to allow the City of Mount Carmel to go into an agreement with 2% Fire to purchase a rescue truck. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Meador motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda contained the first reading of Ordinance 2096 – Vacating a portion of Erin Drive and approval of the paying of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.
Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.
Meeting adjourned at 5:02 pm
https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11607/10-02-2023_minutes.pdf
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