SE Illinois News

City of Mount Carmel City Council met March 4.

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 Zimmerman seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on February 20, 2024. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the minutes of the executive session held on February 20, 2024. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge acknowledged John Clancy, who readdressed the council regarding the forming of an “Arts Council”, which would involve local artists and the organizing of those artists, in order to promote area talent. Mr. Clancy gave an overview of his ideas for an Arts Council and the obtaining of grant monies to fund the council. Mayor Judge stated it takes time to form a council and thanked Mr. Clancy for interest.

Mayor Judge acknowledged Terry Beckerman, who was representing the Christmas Uptown Committee and asked council approval for the event to be held on Friday, December 6th. Mr. Beckerman stated he had submitted the Special Event form to City Administrative Assistant Turner. The council granted approval for the event.

Mayor Judge reminded citizens to be up to date on their golf cart/UTV stickers and anyone setting up for the Eclipse Events on April 7th or 8th to please register at city hall.

Mayor Judge reiterated the council had tabled a discussion to allow the registering of a Mahindra Roxor, as a UTV to drive on the city streets. Mayor Judge read the state statues regarding that type of recreational vehicle, reviewed the “specs” of the Roxer and stated, unfortunately, it does not meet the city’s ordinance requirements.

Mayor Judge reiterated, at the last meeting, the council had approved not to accept the bids on two vehicles and to sell them for scrap. Mayor Judge asked council approval to sell the vehicles to the junkyard instead of the city hauling them to the junkyard for scrap.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS

Commissioner Meador reported, over the last two weeks, the street department cut down a few trees on West Second and Poplar Streets; continued work on the Division Street project; performed maintenance and prepared for the spring mowing season; removed uprooted trees on River Road; cleaned out storm intakes; replaced a few signs; and helped with a materials storage pad at the water department property.

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 $104,751.00 and $99,767.00 in expenditures with two months left in the fiscal year. Commissioner Ikemire noted the city had received the second portion of the property tax revenues from the county.

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Meeks stated he along with Public Works Director Gidcumb toured the new water treatment plant and met with his three department heads in preparation for the new budget year.

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 seventeen incidents to include several grass fires, therefore, the city is asking residents not to have recreational fires at this time due to the outside conditions. Commissioner Zimmerman stated the FDIC conference will be held in April.

Commissioner Zimmerman stated the big trash pick-up will start on April 1st and asked residents to please have their items out available for pick-up on that Monday.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Turner stated he will begin accepting bids for a new roof for one of the airport hangars and the funds are available for that expense.

City Administrative Assistant Turner presented Resolution 702 to the council, which approves the TIF agreement with Matthew and Rebecca Pyatt, D/B/A Lockhaven Storage.

City Administrative Assistant Turner presented Ordinance 2102 to the council, which amends Ordinance 2077, that vacated an alley, however one of the directionals was missing in the legal description. Waive the second reading.

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH

City Attorney McCullough reported he had written a couple ordinance violations for residents burning trash and reminded residents that they are not supposed to burn trash in the city limits.

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA

Airport Manager Garica reported he has preparing for the spring mowing season and has been receiving several phone calls about the eclipse in April.

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 reported there is a pre-construction meeting tomorrow for an ongoing project in Mount Carmel and training will be held this week for the public works department.

WABASH COUNTY E.M.A.

Wabash County E.M.A. Representative Rhonda Banks no report.

BUSINESS MOTIONS

Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to approve resolution authorizing an agreement with Matthew and Rebecca Pyatt, D/B/A Lockhaven Storage. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve Ordinance 2102, Section 2, Section 3, and exhibit “A” in the City of Mount Carmel. Waive second reading. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Meeks 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 Meeks 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 4:19 pm for executive session

Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to exit executive session. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Executive session ended at 4:27 pm. Regular session resumed with all council members present.

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

Meeting adjourned at 4:29 pm

https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/11671/03-04-2024_minutes.pdf