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City of Mount Carmel City Council met Dec. 9.

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 November 25, 2024 council meeting minutes.

Commissioner Meador motioned, and Commissioner Ikemire seconded, to approve the meeting minutes held on November 25, 2024. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

VISITORS

No visitors.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge opened the meeting by thanking those responsible or volunteering for the Christmas festivities over the last week.

Mayor Judge stated we are taking donations for the new city pool and have received a $35,000.00 donation and a few others over the past week. If anyone else wishes to donate, please reach out to City Hall.

Mayor Judge reported that he attended state meetings in Chicago last week, where he learned that our police and fire retirements are very well funded compared to other cities in the state of Illinois.

Mayor Judge reported that new laws will take effect on January 1, 2025, and he will discuss them further at the next council meeting.

Mayor Judge announced that the old tennis courts at the city pool are being removed.

Mayor Judge reported a great turnout at the Senior Citizens for the book giveaway on November 30. They gave out over $40,000.00 in books in just 3 hours.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS

Commissioner Meador reported that the street department has been assisting with the leaf route, helping with the demolition of the tennis courts, salting the roads before the snow on November 30, and performing general maintenance.

COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS

Commissioner Ikemire reported $157,685.51 in receipts and $239,162.63 in expenditures. The accounts appear close to the budget, leaving the city in good financial shape. This last audit gave us a favorable report.

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Meeks reported that employees are being cross-trained for the water plant so that several people are capable of operating it. The new high-tech plant has a few bugs, but they are being worked out. Samples, along with the November report, have been sent to IEPA, and everything looks good.

Commissioner Meeks reported that the water sewer maintenance replaced some bad water meters, pumped out some fire hydrants in preparation for winter, and performed several other maintenance items.

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

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that the leaf route may be a little delayed. They are trying to let the leaves dry out, as the wetness is causing issues with the collection.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that the fire department has responded to 18 calls in the past couple of weeks. They attended a couple of public relations events and had the pleasure of escorting Santa through the Christmas parade. Tonight is the quilt raffle for the shop, with a cop/fireman/EMS drawing.

Commissioner Zimmerman brought up concerns that she has about the safety at the parade. Chief McWilliams advised he was aware of the issues.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner, in his business report, asked for a motion to sell surplus property at 615 N. Cherry Street.

In his business report, City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner asked for a motion to approve resolution 708.

In his business report, City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner asked for separate motions to approve ordinances 2113, 2114, 2115, 2116, and 2117.

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH

City Attorney McCullough reported that he is starting to get the title commitments on the river lots and suspects closings will be in the next couple of weeks.

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA

Airport Manager Garica reported everything at the airport was running smoothly. Fuel sales are exceeding last year's totals.

POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS

Police Chief McWilliams reported that three completed their training at Southwestern Illinois Police Academy on Friday. They are beginning their field training this week.

Police Chief McWilliams mentioned that golf cart sticker renewals will be coming up in the next 3 to 4 weeks.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCIS SPETH

Fire Chief Speth – no report.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB

Public Works Director Gidcumb – no report

WABASH COUNTY E.M.A.

Wabash County E.M.A. is absent.

BUSINESS MOTIONS

Commissioner Ikemire motioned, and Commissioner Meeks seconded, to sell the surplus property at 615 N. Cherry Street by sealed bit to John E. Rhine for $8,000.00. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Meador motioned, and Commissioner Ikemire seconded, for Resolution 708, to approve $40,000.00 grant to Harold Waddle, DBA Rockin’ Chicken. Funds shall come from TIF VI. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Meeks motioned, and Commissioner Ikemire seconded, on Ordinance 2113, to authorize the sale of 2.67 acres of surplus property next to Motorad on W. 9th Street. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned, and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded, on Ordinance 2114, to authorize the sale of 2.67 acres of surplus property to AEA for $25,000.00. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Zimmerman motioned, and Commissioner Meeks seconded, on Ordinance 2115 to amend Ordinance 967 on contract registration fees. Fees will go from $25.00 to $50.00. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned, and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded, on Ordinance 2116 to approve an ordinance amending Chapter Six (6) Building and Building Regulations. Roofing permits will be increased from $15.00 to $75.00 per permit. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned, and Commissioner Meador seconded, on Ordinance 2117, to accept the tax levy as presented in Ordinance 2117. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

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

Commissioner Ikemire motioned to adjourn today's meeting, and Commissioner Meeks seconded. All present voted Aye by voice vote.

The meeting adjourned at 4:26 pm.

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