SE Illinois News

City of Mount Carmel City Council met May 28.

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

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 meeting minutes held on May 13, 2024. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge congratulated the Aces Baseball team on a great season.

Mayor Judge stated the pool has opened for the season. He apologized for the pool not opening on Sunday due to the weather. He said pool management would be cracking down on poor behavior this year as we want the pool to be a place for all to enjoy.

Mayor Judge stated that the brush harbor is open today for those who need to clear brush and limbs from their yards due to our storms.

Mayor Judge stated that 35 people utilized the Senior Center, which was opened as a storm shelter. He asked that if you utilize this service and you bring a pet with you, please put the pet in a kennel.

Mayor Judge presented the bids for the vehicles. The Dodge Ram received no bids. The F250 received a bid of $401.00 from Douglas Lathrop. A bid from Bishop Motors was received as a lump sum for both vehicles, which did not meet requirements.

Mayor Judge presented the bids for the demolition of 922 N. Cherry Street. We received one bid. Jeff Guisewite Inc. bid $9,450.00.

Mayor Judge introduced Tim King to King Financial. Mr. King is here to discuss and explain bonding for the new city pool.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS

Commissioner Meador reported that over the last two weeks, the street department has been cleaning up from the storm damage. They are continuing the work on Division Street. They have poured some concrete, mowed, and cleaned out storm intakes.

COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS

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

Commissioner Ikemire reported that our revenue is $227,527.00 and expenditures are $300,265.00, with the majority being state income tax. He said we are kicking the year off on a great start.

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Meeks stated the water and sewer departments are mowing and keeping up with daily operations.

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

Commissioner Zimmerman thanked the city workers and Mt. Carmel Public Utility workers who have been out working on storm cleanup.

Commissioner Zimmerman asked that we be patient with the brush crew as they work to clean up things.

Commissioner Zimmerman stated the truck is continuing to spray for mosquitos.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that the fire department has had 6 fire incidents in the last two weeks. They have been training on extrication. She stated that the department will soon announce a date for volunteer firefighter testing.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner is absent. Public Works Director Mike Gidcumb is reporting on his behalf.

Director Gidcumb briefly discussed Ordinance 2106, which proposes increasing the water rate. The first Reading of the ordinance should be ready for the next meeting.

Director Gidcumb stated that work is still being done to prepare the city-owned campsites for auction. He said all sites will have an address when they go to auction.

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH

City Attorney McCullough – no report.

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA

Airport Manager Garica reported they have been mowing out at the airport.

POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS

Police Chief McWilliams said the department, city crews, and Mt. Carmel Public Utility worked diligently to clean up and repair the storm damage.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCIS SPETH

Fire Chief Speth reported they are installing the new kitchen cabinets at the fire PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB

Public Works Director Gidcumb reported they are working to get things caught up after the storms and will continue to pick up trees, limbs, and brush.

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 accept Douglas Lathrop's bid of $401.00 on the F250. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Meeks motioned, and Commissioner Ikemire seconded, to accept the bid for the demolition of 922 N. Cherry Street from Jeff Guisewite, Inc. for $9,450.00. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

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

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

The meeting adjourned at 4:35 pm

https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/media/13526