SE Illinois News

City of Mount Carmel City Council met March 18.

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 Ikemire seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 4, 2024. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the minutes of the executive session held on March 4, 2024. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge acknowledged Mount Carmel Public Utility President/COO David James, who was seeking council approval for the Fourth Annual Riverview Ramble Half Marathon on Saturday, October 26th, and stated he has submitted the Special Event application as well as the event fee. The council approved and thanked Mount Carmel Public Utility for sponsoring the event.

Mayor Judge acknowledged Zed Moore, who was in attendance seeking council approval for the removal of the tennis courts by the city swimming pool to improve the range for golfing practice, as that area is not being utilized and would improve the golf course. Mayor Judge stated the council will take the request under consideration and readdress it at a future meeting.

Mayor Judge acknowledged Terry Beckerman, who was seeking a $2500.00 donation from the city for the Christmas Uptown Event. The council approved the donation, which was a similar donation that had been made in years past.

Mayor Judge acknowledged City Administrative Assistant Turner, who addressed issues at the Mount Carmel Elementary School with traffic back-up before and after school, therefore the school is asking for a “no parking zone” area on West Thirteenth Street along and in front of the Wabash District #348 office building, during those times of the school day. Mayor Judge stated the council will take the request under advisement, as a decision cannot be made this evening because an ordinance is required before a parking area can be changed.

Mayor Judge reiterated he had worked with the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission last fall on a grant and he was happy to announce this evening the City of Mount Carmel has been awarded $150,000 for the Fall Recruitment & Retention Grant from the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board for the 2024 fiscal year. Mayor Judge stated the city will be able to give each officer a $10,000 bonus for a three-year commitment to the Mount Carmel Police Department and a $10,000.00 lateral transfer can be allotted on the recruitment side of the department. Mayor Judge thanked the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board, State of Illinois Senator Terri Bryant, State of Illinois Representative David Severin, and GWRPC.

Mayor Judge announced the city will be celebrating the “Eclipse” at Merchants Park on April 7th and 8th with food trucks, vendors as well as music and anyone wishing to have a food truck or booth at Merchants Park should please contact city hall. Mayor Judge stated city hall will be closed on April 8th and city employees will be redeployed to various sites for support.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS

Commissioner Meador reported, that over the last two weeks, the street department, continued working on Division Street; ground stumps at the city park and the duck pond; performed routine maintenance; replaced signs, and prepared for the spring mowing season.

COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS

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

Commissioner Ikemire reported, that over the last two weeks, receipts totaled $288,612.00 with total expenditures of $45,901.00 and the city’s budget is in good shape.

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Meeks stated the wastewater plant crew has been getting equipment ready for summer mowing and the water/sewer maintenance department has been performing general day to-day operations.

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

Commissioner Zimmerman reported, that over the past two weeks, the fire department responded to tens of runs of various types.

Commissioner Zimmerman congratulated the “Guns” in the annual Guns and Hoses Event that was held yesterday, Sunday, March 17th.

Commissioner Zimmerman announced Republic Services is considering starting the trash route on Monday, April 8th at 3:00 am, to have all the trash picked up before the Eclipse time and she will have more information to report at the April 1st council meeting. Commissioner Zimmerman reminded the large trash pick-up will start on April 1st.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Turner presented, to the council for approval, Ordinance 2103 – a variance setback deviation in a B-2 Central Business District located at 502 N. Market Street. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the zoning board had approved the variance and recommended council approval. The second reading is waived.

City Administrative Assistant Turner acknowledged Dave Dallas, who gave an overview of the 2024 MFT Summer Maintenance Program with the total cost being approximately $386,718.00 and the council was asked to approve the MFT spending.

City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the executive session is being removed from the meeting this evening and will be moved to the April 1st meeting, as well as the liquor control commission due to Family Dollar not yet paying the amount owed for the liquor license they had applied for.

City Administrative Assistant Turner reported Sharp Solutions’ bid for $44,880.00 was the only submitted bid for the airport roof repairs and asked council approval to accept the bid, as the airport has the monies for the expense.

City Administrative Assistant Turner stated work is ongoing with the budget for the new fiscal year and he hopes to present it to the council for the first reading at the April 1st meeting.

City Administrative Assistant Turner reiterated Jeff Thompson had purchased the building at Southgate Industrial Park and is requesting again that the cul de sac near his building be vacated so he can utilize that area with the rest of his adjoining business property. City Administrative Assistant Turner stated no motion was made by the council when the request was made last year and he is asking again for approval to vacate the cul de sac. After a brief discussion, the council failed to make a motion for approval.

City Administrative Assistant Turner reiterated that $25,000.00 was approved last year for the purchase of a mower with a bid being received for $33,000.00 and he will be asking for bids again to hopefully present at the April 1st council meeting for approval.

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH

City Attorney McCullough has no report.

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA

Airport Manager Garica did not report.

POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS

Police Chief McWilliams reported this morning Wabash General EMS, Mount Carmel Fire Department; and Mount Carmel City Police were able to save someone by using NARCAN, which appeared to be an opioid overdose. Police Chief McWilliams stressed that citizens need to be aware that drug problems are here in our community and he thanked everyone involved in that call for their efforts.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCIS SPETH

Fire Chief Speth is 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 no report.

BUSINESS MOTIONS

Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to donate Christmas Uptown for $2500.00. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to accept Ordinance 2103 - variance setback deviation in a B-2 Central Business District in the city limits. Waive the second reading. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Meeks motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to accept the resolution for MFT spending for 2024. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to accept the bid of $44,880.00 by Sharp Solutions to fix the roof at the Mount Carmel Airport. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Zimmerman motioned and Commissioner Meador seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda contained approval of the payment 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.

The meeting adjourned at 4:24 pm

https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/media/13436