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City of Mount Carmel City Council met Jan. 22.

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 – 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 Meador seconded to approve the minutes of  the meeting held on January 8, 2024. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye. 

Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to accept the executive  meeting minutes held on November 27th, 2023. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner  Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye. 

Commissioner Meador motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to accept the executive  meeting minutes held on January 8, 2024. All present voted Aye by roll call vote. Commissioner  Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.  

MAYOR’S COMMENTS 

Mayor Judge acknowledged Jana Marriott with the Wabash County Youth Exhibition, stated the fair  board is planning on letting people park at the fairgrounds for the Solar Eclipse on April 8th and the  gate between the fairgrounds/city park would be opened, per the fair board, to allow people with  children to walk over to the park as well as to provide an extra exit for all who attend the eclipse. Ms.  Marriott was in attendance to ensure the council had no issues with the gate being open.  

Mayor Judge opened and read the submitted bids for the Oak Meadows Phase II Development  Project, as follows: Ron Tennant Landscaping - $8963.59 and Krajec Landscaping - $8395.00.  Mayor Judge stated City Administrative Assistant Turner will review the bids and present them at  the next council meeting for approval. 

Mayor Judge opened and read the submitted bids for the mowing of the city cemeteries: Kimmel’s  Lawn Care - $35,000.00 and K & K Small Jobs - $25,800.00. Mayor Judge stated the bids will be  reviewed and presented at the next council meeting for approval.  

COMMISSIONER REPORTS: 

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS 

Commissioner Meador reported, over the last two weeks, the street department continued work on  Division Street; prepared for the event of a winter storm; assisted with a water main break; trimmed  back some vegetation on some alleys; filled potholes and continued maintenance work in the shop.  

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 $427,854.00, due to  receiving some property tax monies from the county and the city has collected seventy-seven  percent of the budgeted revenue for the fiscal year.  

Commissioner Ikemire stated City Administrative Assistant Turner has ordered the kitchen  equipment for the Senior Citizens Center, which was made available through the donation from  Wabash General Hospital. 

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER  

Commissioner Meeks absent. 

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

Commissioner Zimmerman reported, over the past two weeks, the fire department responded to fourteen runs; held the bi-monthly training; and Fire Chief Speth along with other firefighters  attended the Paradigm Pipeline Safety Meeting in Olney.  

Commissioner Zimmerman reminded residents to please do not use your kitchen stove/oven to heat  their house; do not plug a space heater into an extension cord or power strip; and to practice safety  skills in order to keep your home warm.  

Commissioner Zimmerman stated the brush department is continuing the picking up of yard waste  and branches. 

Commissioner Zimmerman asked residents to please place their trash tote next to the street curb, not out in the street and do not place the tote near a mailbox or vehicle, in order to better assist with  the trash pick-up service.  

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER 

City Administrative Assistant Turner reported the planters along Market Street are continuously being knocked down and the area garden club ladies are asking if the city would invest in heavier  planter boxes. Police Chief McWilliams stated the current Crime Stoppers reward is $500.00 and  added Wabash County Sheriff Morgan has posted the issue on the Crime Stoppers Facebook page. City Administrative Assistant Turner affirmed charges would be pursued if the culprit is located and  he will look into the price of different planters, possibly concrete ones. 

City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the city will be accepting sealed bids on two vehicles; a  2016 Ford Taurus and a 2013 Chevrolet Equinox until the next council meeting on Monday,  February 5th. 

City Administrative Assistant Turner reported the building at 413 N. Market Street was torn down  and cleaned up since the last council meeting. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the city  will proceed with legal action against the owners in order to recoup monies that was spent for the  demolition.  

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH 

City Attorney McCullough no report. 

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA 

Airport Manager Garica reported he has been maintaining equipment and all is running well at the  airport. 

POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS 

Police Chief McWilliams no report. 

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCIS SPETH 

Fire Chief Speth absent. 

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB 

Public Works Director Gidcumb no report. 

WABASH COUNTY E.M.A. 

Wabash County E.M.A. Representative Rhonda Banks reported the wiring issues with the command  center trailer are being repaired and the public is invited to the Ham Radio Winter Field Day this  coming weekend.

BUSINESS MOTIONS 

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 Ikemire, 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 4:14 pm 

https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11668/01-22-2024_minutes.pdf