SE Illinois News

City of Mount Carmel City Council met Oct. 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 Meador motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on October 16, 2023. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye. 

MAYOR’S COMMENTS 

Mayor Judge acknowledged Constance Folsom, who was in attendance asking the council to reconsider her façade grant application for 321 N. Market Street for the façade wall. Ms. Folsom gave an overview of the history of the building; the repairs needed for the remaining façade wall, as the building had been demolished; and the costs of the repairs. Mayor Judge explained how the façade grant program works and stated he will consult with Moran Development, who advises the city regarding that program. Mayor Judge informed Ms. Folsom he will contact her after he looks into her request. 

Mayor Judge stated he was asked by Mr. Williams, who was attending the meeting, if the city would consider a senior citizens discount for the $50.00 fee that is charged for the golf cart/UTV and electric bicycles stickers. Mayor Judge informed Mr. Williams that the council would take the request under advisement. 

Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Turner, who stated Dean Kieffer was on the agenda for this meeting, however he will be attendance at the next council meeting to discuss his student housing expansion at Wabash Valley College. 

Mayor Judge announced the fire department received the new fire rescue truck last week and stated it will be a vital part of the services provided in the fire protection district. 

Mayor Judge asked council for consideration of putting 500 N. Market Street up for bid. After discussing the issue, the council decided to allow City Administrative Assistant Turner to set the stipulations/criteria for the possible selling of the property, which he will present at the next council meeting. 

Mayor Judge presented to the council an update from the State of Illinois Department of Transportation regarding the roadway improvements on Ninth Street from Cherry to Enterprise Lane. Mayor Judge asked council approval to accept the bids from the state, which includes the resurfacing of Ninth Street as well as the reworking of the sidewalks and the crossings in order to make everything ADA complaint. Mayor Judge stated the city’s obligation for the project is $88,200.00 with the bid letting being in January 2024. 

COMMISSIONER REPORTS: 

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS 

Commissioner Meador reported, over the last two weeks, the street department painted parking stall lines along Market Street; poured concrete and performed routine maintenance. 

COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS

Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.

Commissioner Ikemire reported, over the last two weeks, revenues totaled $26,181.00 and over all the city’s finances are on target. Commissioner Ikemire thanked City Treasurer Georgia Vaught and City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner for the extra duties of working on the city’s audit.

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Meeks stated all the departments are running smoothly.

COMMISSIONER SUSAN ZIMMERMAN – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE

Commissioner Zimmerman reiterated the new fire rescue truck arrived Thursday evening and stated it should be in service soon.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported the fire department had several calls over the past two weeks; finishing up Fire Prevention Month; and will be attending various trunk or treat events.

Commissioner Zimmerman reminded the time changes this weekend, which is a good time to change the batteries in smoke/carbon dioxide detectors as well as a good time to check the date on the carbon dioxide detectors.

Commissioner Zimmerman stated the leaf collection pick-up will be starting in the near future.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Turner reported the sidewalk replacement program is done for 2023 year as the city needs to focus on other projects.

City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the city is working with contractors on the use of the brush harbor and the burning of the brush that is disposed of. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated, if anyone has complaints about the burning at the brush harbor to please feel free to contact him at city hall.

City Administrative Assistant Turner reported 413 N. Market Street was put out for demolition bid and stated if the work cannot be completed by November 30th by the winning contractor, then the demolition process cannot begin until after the holiday season.

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH

City Attorney McCullough no report.

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA

Airport Manager Garica stated all is going well at the airport.

POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS

Police Chief McWilliams absent.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCES SPETH

Fire Chief Speth thanked the city council along with the Foreign Firefighters 2% Tax Board for allowing the fire department to purchase the rescue truck.

Fire Chief Speth reminded residents to please have their fireplaces or wood burning stoves inspected and cleaned before using them this winter.

Fire Chief Speth reported the fire department should be finished with its hose testing within the next couple weeks.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB

Public Works Director Gidcumb reported people have been bringing construction lumber as well as flooring and disposing of it in the brush harbor, which has forced the city to cable lock the gate, therefore any contractors who have paid to use the brush harbor will have to call city hall to make arrangements to have the gate unlocked. Public Works Director Gidcumb affirmed, if anyone is caught disposing of those items, they will have to remove debris as disposal of those items is an EPA violation. Public Works Director Gidcumb stated the fall leaf pick-up service will begin Wednesday, November 1st . 

BUSINESS MOTIONS 

Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to accept the states bid for 2024 road improvement program. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye. 

Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire 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 Meador seconded to adjourn the meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote. 

Meeting adjourned at 4:28 pm 

https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11609/10-30-2023_minutes.pdf