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City of Mount Carmel City Council met April 1.

Here is the agenda 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, City Attorney Derek McCullough

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mayor Judge requested a motion to approve the minutes of the last council meeting.

Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded to approve the minutes of the meeting held on March 18, 2024. All present voted by roll vote. Commissioner Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge stated one week from today is the solar eclipse and there will be celebrations all over the area; the city is having organized events at Merchants Park starting with a concert on Sunday, April 7th at 7:00 pm and on Monday, April 8th vendors, food trucks as well as music will be back at Merchants Park. Mayor Judge reminded that the deadline for anyone wishing to “vend” at Merchants Park is 4:00 pm Thursday, April 4th. Mayor Judge added events will also be held at the Mount Carmel Airport.

Mayor Judge reminded residents to please register their UTV/golf carts for the 2024 stickers. Mayor Judge reiterated an individual had asked to license a Mahindra Roxer UTV and it did not qualify due to the state statute weight limitation of two thousand pounds. Mayor Judge stated he had contacted Illinois Representative Dave Severin and that portion of the state statute has now been rewritten to change the weight limitation to three thousand pounds. Representative Severin will present the proposed change to the House Committee this Spring.

Mayor Judge reported he has written grants for playground equipment and is in hopes to be successful in receiving monies from the grants. Mayor Judge stated he has also been working with the Greater Wabash Regional Planning Commission on a “Neglected Properties” Grant, which would give the city monies to tear down up to ten neglected properties within the community.

Mayor Judge wished Officer Daniel Hopper good luck on his upcoming fight in the “911 Gives Hope” Boxing Event in Evansville

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS

Commissioner Meador reported, that over the last two weeks, the street department, continued the work on the Division Street sidewalks; took down a couple of trees in the city; filled potholes; and performed routine maintenance.

COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS

Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials.

Commissioner Ikemire reported, over the last two weeks, revenues totaled $97,883.39 and expenses were $73,532.15 with the majority of the revenue coming from rural fire tax along with utility tax. Commissioner Ikemire thanked City Administrative Assistant Turner and the department heads for their hard work on the budget for the new fiscal year.

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Meeks stated the wastewater treatment plant passed the semi-annual inspection with “flying colors”; the new water treatment plant is coming along well; and the water/sewer maintenance department has been doing the routine maintenance.

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

Commissioner Zimmerman congratulated the WVC Lady Warriors on their Final Four appearance in the NJCAA basketball tournament.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported, over the past two weeks, the fire department responded to thirteen calls; from motor vehicle accidents as well as structural fires. Commissioner Zimmerman asked residents to please be cautious when burning, as it has been very windy outside.

Commissioner Zimmerman reiterated this week is Big Trash Pick-Up Week and reminded us that items should have been put out for pick-up today, Monday, as Republic Services will not come back around once an area of the city has had items picked up. Commissioner Zimmerman reminded individuals who go around to “collect” items to please do not make a mess in people’s yards. Commissioner Zimmerman stated Republic Services will pick items up throughout this week.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported Republic Services will be picking up the regular garbage on Eclipse Day, however, they will be starting the route around 4:00 am and asked residents to please have their trash sitting out on Sunday Evening.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Turner stated a special event application and the twenty-five fee was submitted by Emily Teague for the MCHS Alumni for the use of Merchants Park and some parking stalls on West Fourth Street for the homecoming weekend.

City Administrative Assistant Turner reported the budget for the new fiscal year will be a little tighter than the previous years’ partly due to increasing insurance rates and gave a brief overview of the budget.

City Administrative Assistant Turner presented the sealed bids for the purchase of a new seventy two-inch cut mower to Mayor Judge, who opened and read the bids as follows: John Deere quoted two mowers, one for $28,000 and another for $20,500.00; MTI quoted $33,642.96. Mayor Judge stated the bids will be taken under advisement and be presented at the next council meeting.

City Administrative Assistant Turner presented Resolution 704 – MFT expenditures for the IDOT Ninth Street Project to the council for approval and stated the city’s portion of the $6.5 million project is $112,500.00, with the monies coming from the MFT fund.

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH

City Attorney McCullough reported he has been working on finalizing the city’s garbage contract with Republic Services.

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA

Airport Manager Garica reported he has been mowing as well as preparing for the eclipse and is anticipating about fifty-five planes on the day of the eclipse.

POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS

Police Chief McWilliams stated all emergency heads have met multiple times in preparation for the eclipse and plans have been put in place.

Police Chief McWilliams reported the department has done community relations with the elementary school this week.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCIS SPETH

Fire Chief Speth asked residents to be patient and to use caution during the eclipse event as there could be several out-of-town people visiting the city.

Fire Chief Speth reported City Attorney McCullough upgraded the department’s mutual aid agreement with the State of Indiana and Gibson County.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB

Public Works Director Gidcumb no report.

WABASH COUNTY E.M.A.

Wabash County E.M.A. Representative Rhonda Banks reported the EOC will be open both Sunday as well as Monday for the eclipse and the department has been consulting with the Red Cross in the event of any future storms.

BUSINESS MOTIONS

Commissioner Ikemire motioned and Commissioner Meeks seconded to accept IDOT Ninth Street Project at $112,500.00. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.

Commissioner Meador motioned and Commissioner Ikemire seconded to approve the Consent Agenda. The consent agenda contained approval of the payment of all bills bearing the proper signatures. All present voted by roll call vote. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted Aye.

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

The meeting adjourned at 4:25 pm

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