SE Illinois News

City of Mount Carmel City Council met July 22.

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, 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 Zimmerman motioned, and Commissioner Meador seconded, to approve the meeting minutes held on June 8, 2024. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge announced a visitor representing St. Mary’s. St. Mary’s is seeking city approval to have a festival this October, where they hope to have live music, food trucks, and beer trucks. The council gave them permission to proceed with getting all of the needed licensing and paperwork.

Mayor Judge expressed condolences from himself and the City of Mt. Carmel to City Treasurer Georgia Vaught and her family on the passing of Bob Vaught. Bob was a great man and will be missed by all.

Mayor Judge reported that the Touch a Truck event on July 20 was very well attended, and he thanked all sponsors and organizers for their work in creating a great event.

Mayor Judge stated that John Clancy has been to several meetings inquiring about an Artist Council. After several different meetings, it has been decided that this new council will focus on visual arts only, so as not to cross over with the Wabash County Arts Council.

Mayor Judge stated he will not attend the next council meeting as he is one of 41 participants selected to participate in the 2024 Edgar Fellows Program. The Edgar Fellows Program is an initiative by former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar and the University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs to inspire respectful and collaborative leadership to address the state’s major challenges.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS

Commissioner Meador reported that over the last two weeks, the street department has continued general maintenance, prepared for the chip-and-seal project, worked with the state on a sinkhole at 9th and Market streets, and cleared some storm drains.

COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS

Commissioner Ikemire is absent.

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Meeks stated that the water department has repaired water leaks, and continues daily maintenance.

Commissioner Meeks and Mayor Judge asked that everyone who received the water line survey please fill it out and bring it to City Hall or complete it online on the city’s website.

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

Commissioner Zimmerman thanked Mark Seaton, Chief McWilliams, Roger Pearson, and the rest of the committee for their work on the Touch a Truck event.

Commissioner Zimmerman stated that over the last two weeks, the fire department has had 11 events, 1 public relations event, and is completing driver’s training.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner talked briefly about a grant opportunity that we may have that would assist in the expense of sidewalks and part of the road from 3rd to 6th Streets.

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner is working with Morton Solar, which is going to take measurements to see if our property is feasible for their solar plans.

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner reported that Burbach Aquatics is working on the referendum for the November vote. They hope to have it completed and ready for us the first week in August.

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner reported that the contracts for our current farm leases are up for bid, and he would like to start the bidding process the first week of August.

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner reported that workers' union negotiations have started.

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH

City Attorney McCullough – no report.

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA

Airport Manager Garica reported that they are mowing and keeping up the general maintenance at the airport.

POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS

Police Chief McWilliams reported there has been a surprising increase in domestic cases and a lot of deaths in the community. He asked the community to stick together through these times.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCIS SPETH

Fire Chief Speth reported the Touch a Truck event was a success.

Fire Chief Speth reported that the Fire Department has upcoming testing on their trucks and equipment.

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

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

The meeting adjourned at 4:25 pm

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