Mt. Carmel City Council met Dec. 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Invocation was given by Becky Reeves.
Present on Roll Call: Mayor Bill Hudson Commissioners – Eric Ikemire, Justin Dulgar, Rod Rodriguez
Also, Present: City Administrative Assistant Rudy Witsman, City Attorney Kelli Storckman
MAYOR’S COMMENTS
Mayor Hudson brought the city council meeting to order.
Mayor Hudson welcomed Cub Scout Pack #293, they were in attendance to observe the council meeting and the purpose of the visit was to help the pack learn about building a better community.
Mayor Hudson congratulated the Wabash County Retail Merchants Committee on the outstanding Christmas Uptown event, which was held on Friday, December 1st. Mayor Hudson thanked the Wabash County Chamber of Commerce, as well for the outstanding parade on Saturday, December 2nd. Mayor Hudson reported the Wabash Valley College Christmas Program was also held on Sunday, December 3rd. Mayor Hudson stated he was very appreciative that the three activities held over the weekend were very well attended by local residents and out of town visitors, as well.
Mayor Hudson announced the Bi-Centennial Celebration has officially started for the State of Illinois as a program was held today at noon at the Wabash County Courthouse. Mayor Hudson stated the State of Illinois is celebrating for one full year; beginning December 3rd, 2017 through December 3rd, 2018.
Mayor Hudson reported unfortunately, Shopko will be closing its pharmacy services on December 15th.
COMMISSIONER REPORTS:
COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS
Commissioner Ikemire reported in the last two weeks the street department cleaned intakes; ran the street sweeper; continued to pick up bags of leaves; put up the Christmas Tree Decorations along Market Street and fixed some electrical problems with the lights; set up the Santa House at the amphitheater; opened and closed a grave at Rose Hill Cemetery; performed equipment maintenance; hauled barricades, trash totes, and temporary speed limit signs uptown for the Christmas Uptown Festival.
COMMISSIONER JOE JUDGE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS
Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.
Commissioner Judge absent.
COMMISSIONER JUSTIN DULGAR – WATER AND SEWER
Commissioner Dulgar reported Street Department Employee, Dustin Avery is being trained at the Water Treatment Plant to help out while Phil Cross is absent for medical reasons. Lead Operator Keith Reed has been collecting the routine required EPA water samples. Commissioner Dulgar announced the next Wabash Valley Regional Water Commission meeting will be on Tuesday, December 19th at 5:00 pm in Albion. Commissioner Dulgar stated a representative from the IEPA will be present to answer any questions; the engineering report was finalized; the federal grant was submitted and the vote for individual communities to “opt in” or “opt out” will probably happen in the next four to six months.
Commissioner Dulgar reported the water maintenance department used the jet truck to clear blockages; met with the fiber optics company to advise them of buried utilities; installed new meters and performed all their routine duties.
Commissioner Dulgar stated the wastewater plant personnel completed repairs to the college lift station pump, and they are having issues with the Pecan Avenue lift station; however, it is looking into resolving the problems. Commissioner Dulgar reported the tentative date for the annual IEPA wastewater plant inspection is December 7th.
COMMISSIONER ROD RODRIGUEZ – FIRE, HEALTH & SAFETY, GARBAGE, CITY HALL AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Commissioner Rodriguez reported in the last two weeks the fire department responded to six runs; conducted fire training; set up the ladder truck for the Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 2nd; and the fire department’s family Christmas dinner will be Sunday, December 10th.
CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RUDY WITSMAN
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated separate bids were requested for the Scada System for the wastewater plant and for the mowing of the city owned cemeteries. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated two bids were received for the mowing as well as two bids for the Scada System. City Administrative Assistant Witsman opened the two mowing bids in the presence of the council; the first being from Clean-Cut Lawn Care, Art Kimmel in the amount of $22,222 for one year of mowing and the second bid from G L Services, Greg Locke in the amount of $22,000 for one year of mowing. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the mowing bids are for a two-year contract. City Administrative Assistant Witsman recommended the council take the bids under advisement and a decision be made at the next council meeting.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman opened the Scada System bids in the presence of the council; the first was from ERS, which is located in Legionnaire, Indiana and their bid proposal of $196,327 was for the hardware configuration and training and testing of the system. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated the second bid from Straeffer Pump and Supply was a price per monitoring station proposal, with a $6850 bid for each remote terminal unit and $3500 for each installation. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported it will take some time to calculate a total bid amount and a proposal will be presented to the council once a better understanding of the bid from Straeffer Pump and Supply is determined.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reiterated at the last council meeting he had presented to the council for their consideration the 2018 council meeting dates and holidays with the meeting time continuing to be at 5:00 pm at city hall. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated he needed council approval for the 2018 calendar year meeting dates and city holidays.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman announced all liquor licenses are due by the next council meeting on Monday, December 18th.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported this council meeting constitutes the first reading of Ordinance 1080; an ordinance authorizing the city council to seek bids for the city owned property commonly known as 615 East Fourth Street. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated those bids need to be submitted by the January 2nd, 2018 council meeting. City Administrative Assistant Witsman reported this council meeting also constitutes the first reading of Ordinance 1081; an ordinance providing for the issuance of the $150,000 General Obligation Corporate Purpose Bonds for the purpose of financing public safety equipment and other capital expenditures for the City of Mount Carmel. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated this meeting constitutes the first reading of Ordinance 1082, as well; an ordinance setting a tax levy for the City of Mount Carmel for the fiscal year May 1st, 2017 through April 30th, 2018.
City Administrative Assistant Witsman emphasized to the city residents please do not blow leaves to the street as the city is no longer picking up loose leaves. City Administrative Assistant Witsman stated bagged leaves will be picked up or residents may take their leaves to the city’s brush harbor or mulching leaves is another possible solution for the removal of leaves.
CITY ATTORNEY – KELLI STORCKMAN
City Attorney Storckman reported the sale of the property located at 615 East Fourth Street is subject to an easement located on the property.
City Attorney Storckman reiterated at the last council meeting the status of the ordinance violations was briefly discussed. City Attorney Storckman reported one of the violation cases was dismissed as the owners of the property came in to compliance with all the necessary requirements and the legal work is still ongoing on the other violation case.
CITY INSPECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB
City Inspector Gidcumb absent.
BUSINESS MOTIONS
Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Dulgar seconded to approve the city council meeting dates and time for 2018, as well as, the holidays that will be observed. All present voted Aye by roll call vote. Commissioner Judge was absent.
Mayor Hudson and the Council approved the Consent Agenda, as presented in the agenda dated December 4th, 2017. The consent agenda includes approval of the Special Meeting held 11/27/2017 at 4:00 pm for the two public hearings, one seeking public input regarding an IEPA loan for the wastewater plant and the other hearing seeking public input concerning the sale of General Obligation Corporate Bonds; approval of the minutes for the council meeting held on November 20th, 2017; and approval of paying all bills bearing the proper signatures.
Meeting adjourned at 5:21 p.m.
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