SE Illinois News

City of Mount Carmel City Council met Aug. 19.

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 council meeting minutes held on August 5, 2024.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned, and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded, to approve the meeting minutes held on August 5, 2024. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Mayor Judge requested a motion to approve the minutes of the special council meeting held on August 9, 2024.

Commissioner Meador motioned, and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded, to approve the meeting minutes held on August 9, 2024. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge announced a visitor from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The visitor intends to advertise the Department of Employment’s economic information and analysis office as a resource for small businesses.

Mayor Judge announced a visitor from the Eagles requesting approval to hold an event over Homecoming weekend at the Eagles with a live band until midnight. The council was also asked to consider allowing a bonfire at the event. Council members will check with the fire department before deciding on this.

Mayor Judge talked briefly about his time at the Edgar’s Fellowship.

Mayor Judge stated that he had attended a wastewater convention in Indianapolis last week.

Mayor Judge stated that IDPH met with him about our city pool. We had 4 critical violations. The report we received states that we are not permitted to operate the pool in 2025 as it stands.

Mayor Judge mentioned that the new aquatic center will cost around 8.2 million. The referendum up for a vote in November asks voters to approve 3.5 million over a 20-year period. There are still plans for a naming rights campaign. An account has been set up for donations to City Hall.

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, mowing some at the river camps, and performing general maintenance.

COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS

Commissioner Ikemire stated that he does not have a report this week. The city has been diligently working on the audit, and the financials are looking good.

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Meeks listed several things the water and sewer departments have been working on. They have kept up on general maintenance and mowing while also helping to read water meters, flag traffic at different times, and refill the pool four times in the last two weeks.

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

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that the fire department had 8 incidents. The fire captains have attended training on high-rise incidents.

Commissioner Zimmerman stated that the garbage was still running and asked that you please call City Hall if your garbage was missing.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner reported on resolutions 705 and 706, which support TIF funding for Meador Enterprises, DBA as Southgate Furniture and Hometown Aces, LLC.

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner asked for a motion to waive a second reading of Ordinance 2109, which is the sale of property at 131 W. 2nd Street.

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner asked for a motion to waive a second reading of Ordinance 2110, which is the sale of properties at 923 W. 3rd Street and 925 W. 3rd Street.

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner briefly discussed the solar plans with Morton Solar. He is setting up a meeting with Morton and Mt. Camel Public Utility to go over some things.

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner reported there will be a second reading of ordinance 2111.

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 that Officer Santos was promoted to sergeant. He announced that Officer Nelson, the new canine officer, is starting his fourth week of training and will be state certified in two more weeks. He thanked the City of Charleston for their training and accommodations.

Police Chief McWilliams reported that 3 individuals had started the 16-week Police Academy training.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCIS SPETH

Fire Chief Speth is absent.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB

Public Works Director Gidcumb announced some additions to the chip and seal and fog seal that will start on August 26. David Dallas was in attendance and listed those additions.

WABASH COUNTY E.M.A.

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

BUSINESS MOTIONS

Commissioner Ikemire motioned, and Commissioner Meeks seconded, on Ordinance 2109, to sell the property at 131 W. 2nd Street to David and Marjorie Dallas for $3,200.00. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Meeks and Commissioner Meador seconded, on Ordinance 2110, to sell the properties of 923 W. 3rd Street and 925 W. 3rd Street to Kieffer Bros Construction for $1,500.00. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Ikemire and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded Resolution 705, which approved TIF funding in the amount of $20,000.00 to Meador Enterprises, DBA Southgate Furniture. All but Commissioner Meador, who abstained from voting, voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned, and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded on Resolution 706 to approve TIF funding for $50,000.00 to Hometown Aces, LLC. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

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

The meeting adjourned at 4:38 pm

https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/media/13616