SE Illinois News

City of Mount Carmel City Council met April 14.

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 from the council meeting on March 31, 2025.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned, and Commissioner Meador seconded, to approve the March 31, 2025, meeting minutes. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

VISITORS

No visitors.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge reported that April 13-19, 2025, is National Telecommunicators Week. Mayor Judge appreciated the Mt. Carmel 911 dispatchers and telecommunicators who provide critical services to the community.

Mayor Judge stated that over the last few months, he has been working on some new skill sets to assist in projects and future developments. He has completed his Six Sigma Green Belt and Six Sigma Black Belt courses and passed the state certifications to manage program projects for Mt. Carmel with federal and state grants. Mayor Judge also completed his Master's in Agile Project Management Professional Certification course.

Mayor Judge reported that flood waters are receding. He reminded the public to stay off the levee, where boat launches are illegal.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES, AND PARKS

Commissioner Meador reported that crews worked on a few things to prepare for the big rains over the last couple of weeks. They cleaned out several storm intakes, took care of a tree across the roadway at Mulberry, replaced a traffic light on 9th Street, and started mowing the cemetery.

Commissioner Meador reported that the city park bathrooms are now open.

COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS

Commissioner Ikemire stated that in the last two weeks, we received $293,703.40 in receipts and spent $251,092.56, putting us at about $163,239.00 above our budgeted revenue.

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Meeks reported that crews got the flood gates installed several days ago. They have been running the levee pumps and continuously manning them 24 hours a day.

Commissioner Meeks reported that the water plant is also running the pumps 24 hours, doing monthly testing and the reporting for the IEPA looks good.

Commissioner Meeks reported that the water maintenance plant has done several locates and helped with the manual meter readings.

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

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that she, fire chief and several members of the fire department attended the annual FDIC conference in Indianapolis. The fire department also participated in the AOK Family Funday this past Saturday.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that the fire department assisted with several water rescues and she encouraged the public to pay attention to signs and barricades.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that the big trash pickup is now finished. If you still have items that were not picked up, Republic Services most likely deemed those items not acceptable for pickup.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that the electronic recycling day will be on May 3.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that City Hall will be closed this Friday, April 18, for Good Friday.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Turner discussed and requested a motion for Resolution 712.

City Administrative Assistant Turner discussed and asked for a motion on Ordinance 2123 on the grocery tax.

City Administrative Assistant Turner reported he is currently working on the budget and asks that each department get with him.

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH

City Attorney McCullough – no report.

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA

Airport Manager Garica reported that he has been preparing the airport for spring. He has been mowing.

Airport Manager Garcia reported that Hansen has put in a bid for new snow removal.

Airport Manager Garcia reported that the new hangar is out for bid. Those bids are due April 26, 2025.

POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS

Police Chief McWilliams expressed appreciation for 911 dispatchers and telecommunicators. He praised his dispatchers for the excellent job they do and also gave two examples of the importance of having our dispatchers to link all departments together in an emergency.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCIS SPETH

Fire Chief Speth is absent.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB

Public Works Director Gidcumb, along with David Dallas, discussed the summer maintenance program for chip and seal and fog seal.

Public Works Director Gidcumb asked the council to accept Resolution 713 in relationship to IDOT spending.

WABASH COUNTY E.M.A.

Wabash County E.M.A. is absent.

BUSINESS MOTIONS

Commissioner Meeks motioned, and Commissioner Ikemire seconded, to purchase (500) new meters and new infrastructure system at $214,948.00 and to waive the second reading. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned, and Commissioner Meador seconded, to accept the summer maintenance for summer chip, seal, and fog seal as presented by the city engineer. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Meador motioned, and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded, to accept resolution 713 in relationship to IDOT spending. 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 Meeks seconded, to adjourn today's meeting. All present voted Aye by voice vote.

The meeting adjourned at 4:36 pm.

https://www.cityofmtcarmel.com/media/13966