SE Illinois News

City of Mount Carmel City Council met April 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

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 April 15, 2024. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge acknowledged Katherine Renner, who was in attendance to express her concerns and frustrations with the theft of the plants she plants in the planters on Market Street numerous times over the last several months. The council took her concerns under advisement and thanked her for attending.

Mayor Judge attended the Illinois Municipal League Lobby Day in Springfield on April 17 and 18. He said there was a lot of interesting legislation happening in the capital. If pushed through, several bills would profoundly affect all Illinois municipalities, including Mt. Carmel, and our future budget.

Mayor Judge stated that the National Day of Prayer is May 2. Prayer will be held at Veterans Park at noon, and the Wabash County Ministerial Alliance will conduct it.

Mayor Judge reported that as we are in May, if yards have not been mowed, they are non– compliant, and as we receive complaints, we have mailed out notices.

Mayor Judge reported that he, Ryan, and Mr. Garcia have been working with the Federal Government, as many airport grants require that 60% or more of the vehicle components be made in the United States. It has been difficult to find a tractor or vehicle for snow removal. The Federal Government last week agreed to allow the change from a tractor to an F550. They are hopeful to get things finalized in the near future.

Mayor Judge stated we have had two proposals for solar at our Sewer Plant as we are looking at ways of reducing overhead expenditures. We have had one with Keystone and one with Morton Solar. He asked the council for guidance, and there was discussion on this topic. It was decided to get more information on the comparisons for the next meeting.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS

Commissioner Meador reported that over the last two weeks, the street department has continued working on Division Street and equipment maintenance, planted grass on Golden Ace’s Way, cleaned storm sewers, put away winter equipment, and mowed.

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, revenue totaled $16,848.00 with total expenditures of $235,578.00. We exceeded the revenue budget at 106% of revenue. We exceeded some line items and overall, we finished the year in good shape.

Commissioner Ikemire thanked Ryan and everyone working to finalize the budget.

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Meeks stated all departments are running smoothly. The guys have been washing and getting the pool ready to be painted.

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

Commissioner Zimmerman stated that May 4 is International Firefighters Day.

Commissioner Zimmerman stated that May 12 – May 18 is National Police Week.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported she, the Fire Chief and several others from the department attended the FDIC event in Indianapolis.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that the fire department has had 11 events over the past two weeks, including calls, training, and public relations events.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that auxiliary testing will be conducted in May or June for those interested in joining the fire department.

Commissioner Zimmerman stated that garbage and brush will continue to be picked up.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Turner reported that Ordinance 2104 is the 2024 – 2025 Annual Budget, as presented.

City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the 2nd reading of Article 2105 is up, which had an adjustment to Article 2, which deals with rates and charges. Those funds will now stay within the department they are collected for.

City Administrative Assistant Turner reported that the city has been working with the City Attorney to put liens on some of the properties we have complained about, as the property owners don’t want to comply.

City Administrative Assistant Turner reported that he plans to put out a bid online with WSJD for the demo of 922 Cherry Street as they have not been in compliance for a couple of years, and we now have a court order to demo the residence.

City Administrative Assistant Turner stated the mower we bid on will be here in August.

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH

City Attorney McCullough - is absent.

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA

Airport Manager Garica reported cutting grass, weed-eating, performing maintenance, and ensuring everything is running at the airport.

POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS

Police Chief McWilliams - no report.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCIS SPETH

Fire Chief Speth - is absent.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB

Public Works Director Gidcumb – is absent.

WABASH COUNTY E.M.A.

Wabash County E.M.A. Representative Rhonda Banks – is absent.

BUSINESS MOTIONS

Commissioner Meeks motioned, and Commissioner Ikemire seconded, to accept ordinance 2104 as the 2024-2025 budget. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Meeks motioned, and Commissioner Meador seconded to accept ordinance 2105 – Article II Rates & Changes – 2nd reading. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Meador motioned, and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded, to approve the consent agenda. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned to move to Executive Session, and Commissioner Meeks seconded. All present voted by roll call. Commissioner Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

The regular session of the council meeting recessed at 5:22 pm for the executive session.

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

The executive session ended at 5:48 pm. Regular session resumed with all council members present.

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

The meeting adjourned at 5:49 pm

https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/media/13501