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City of Mount Carmel City Council met Feb. 5.

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 22, 2024. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge acknowledged Brad Morton with Morton Solar, who was in attendance to present a proposal for the city’s solar project at the wastewater plant. Mr. Morton gave an overview of his proposal and stated this is the first year that governmental entities may receive the IRA Federal Tax Credit as well as the Illinois Shines S-REC Rebate for a solar project. Mayor Judge stated the council had received a proposal last year from Keystone Energy. After a brief discussion, the council decided to take Mr. Morton’s proposal under advisement.

Mayor Judge acknowledged Josh Evans with the St. Mary’s School Rockets Foundation, who was in attendance seeking council approval for the foundation’s 5K Walk/Run event on Saturday, February 24th. Mayor Judge asked the police department and WEMA to work together with assisting of the closure of the intersections on the race route for safety purposes.

Mayor Judge acknowledged Hannah Schrader, who recently received her Eagle Scout Achievement Award. Hannah stated ten owl houses were built for her project and five were placed at Beall Woods State Park along with five being placed at Red Hill State Park. Mayor Judge presented Hannah with a certificate of appreciation from the city.

Mayor Judge stated according to the ground hog spring will be here soon and reminded citizens to renew their golf cart/UTV stickers.

Mayor Judge reported it is election season and asked candidates to please receive permission before placing political signs in yards or other areas. Mayor Judge asked individuals to please do not destroy the signs of any candidate.

Mayor Judge opened and read the submitted bids for the 2016 Ford Taurus as well as the 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. Mayor Judge stated Bishop Motors had the highest bid in the amount of $4177.00 for the Ford Taurus and Glen Cash Markle had the highest bid in the amount of $5501.00 for the Chevrolet Equinox. Mayor Judge stated the winning bids will be accepted upon final review of all the bids.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS

Commissioner Meador reported, over the last two weeks, the street department cut down trees on East Fourth and Cherry Streets; painted street lines on Fifth Street between Chestnut and Market; worked on equipment in preparedness for spring; cleaned storm sewer intakes; and performed maintenance on trucks.

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 $56,856.08 and expenditures $52,739.06 with the city being in really good shape overall on the revenue side of the budget.

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 twelve runs and had training at the bi-monthly meeting on different types of “shock” that people may experience.

Commissioner Zimmerman reiterated when garbage totes become damaged or if an additional tote is needed to please call city hall and to not call Republic Services.

Commissioner Zimmerman stated the brush crew continues to run the normal route and is preparing for spring clean-up.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Turner stated IDOT is responsible for Ninth Street, as it is a state highway and if anyone has issues with their vehicle or has tire damage, they should contact the state.

City Administrative Assistant Turner reminded, if a contractor is doing work in the City of Mount Carmel, they need to be sure to register and pay the $25.00 contractor fee. City Administrative Assistant Turner affirmed, if contractors do not comply with the registration process, the city’s ordinance will be enforced and the issue will be turned over to the city attorney.

City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the city will be accepting bids for a 2002 Ford F-250 truck and a 2009 Dodge Ram truck; however, both are in need of repairs.

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH

City Attorney McCullough reported the closing for the sale of the property at 500 N. Market Street was on Friday, February 2nd.

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA

Airport Manager Garica reported he has been preparing the mowers for spring and performing routine maintenance.

POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS

Police Chief McWilliams stated he was approached about registering a Mahindra Roxor as a UTV for a permit to drive in the city and asked council for direction regarding the request. After discussing the issue, the council decided to table a decision at this time.

Police Chief McWilliams reported, with the nicer weather, residents have been driving their golf carts/UTV’s more and asked individuals to please practice safe driving.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCIS SPETH

Fire Chief Speth absent.

Mayor Judge reported for Fire Chief Speth by stating the old rescue truck is now ready to be put up for sell and recommended the city use an “apparatus re-seller” to sell the truck.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB

Public Works Director Gidcumb absent.

WABASH COUNTY E.M.A.

Wabash County E.M.A. Representative Rhonda Banks reported the Ham Fest that was held on January 27th as well as the Weather Spotting Class on February 1st and both events went well.

OLD BUSINESS

City Administrative Assistant Turner reported Krajec Landscaping was on point with everything that was asked for in the bid for the Oak Meadow II project and recommended the council accept the bid in the amount of $8395.00.

City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the bids for cemetery mowing contract will need to be tabled until the next council meeting.

BUSINESS MOTIONS

Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to accept Bishop Motors’ bid of $4177.00 for 2016 Police Ford Interceptor. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman to accept Glen Cash Markle’s bid of $5501.00 for 2013 Chevrolet Equinox. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to accept Krajec Landscaping bid of $8395.00 for the Oak Meadows Phase II. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Meador 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.

NEW BUSINESS

Mayor Judge acknowledged Art Kimmel, who addressed the council regarding the submitted cemetery bids and expressed his concerns regarding how the bids are being handled. City Administrative Assistant Turner explained how the bidding process works and affirmed the bids are still being reviewed with no decision being made at this time.

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

Meeting adjourned at 4:36 pm

https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11669/02-05-2024_minutes.pdf