North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met July 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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

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

Commissioner Ikemire motioned, and Commissioner Meador seconded, to approve the meeting minutes held on May 28, 2024. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

MAYOR’S COMMENTS

Mayor Judge addressed a visitor who requested and was granted permission to have the Annual Little League Fundraiser on the morning of June 29, 2024. They will be collecting at three intersections in town.

Mayor Judge wished Judy Landingham a happy retirement. Judy worked for the City of Mt. Carmel for 11 years as a Water Clerk and, most recently, as Assistant City Treasurer. We appreciate her years of dedication to the city. Leslie Glenn has been hired for the Assistant City Treasurer and Water Clerk positions.

Mayor Judge announced that he will have an Employee Highlight at each council meeting. He started off the highlights with City Clerk Ryan Turner. Ryan runs the day-to-day operations of all of the city departments. Ryan has served the city in many capacities over the years. He has served as a City Police Officer, Sergeant, Detective, and Chief of Police and was hired as the City Clerk in June of 2021. Ryan is an Army Veteran with 21 years of service. He is married to Karissa, and they have 3 children.

Mayor Judge stated that we are moving along on the city pool project. He will soon ask the council for approval on the referendum process. We now have the Mt. Carmel Pool Foundation set up. The foundation is a 501C3, and donations are tax-deductible. If you wish to donate, please take your donation, made payable to the City of Mt. Carmel Pool Foundation, to City Hall.

Mayor Judge expressed appreciation for those residents who completed the water surveys that were sent out. He stated that around 3,200 have not returned the surveys.

Mayor Judge stated that the 4th of July festivities will be announced soon.

Mayor Judge presented a bid for the 2009 Dodge truck that was missed at the last council meeting. We received a bid of $450.00 from George Farler.

COMMISSIONER REPORTS:

COMMISSIONER TYSON MEADOR – STREETS, CEMETERIES AND PARKS

Commissioner Meador reported that over the last two weeks, the street department has continued the work on Division Street, which is starting to take shape. They have cleaned up massive amounts of storm damage, removed downed trees, mowed, and sprayed.

COMMISSIONER ERIC IKEMIRE – FINANCE AND SENIOR CITIZENS

Statement of Receipts and Expenditures – See attached agenda with financials. Commissioner Ikemire reported that our revenue is $39,338.00 and expenditures are $32,407.00.

COMMISSIONER TOM MEEKS – WATER AND SEWER

Commissioner Meeks stated the water and sewer departments are running smoothly.

Commissioner Meeks announced a Water Bill Contest. All Mt. Carmel residents who sign up for email billing with City Hall by July 1, 2024, will be entered into a contest for a free month of water from the city. Email billing is fast and convenient. Water bills are due the 5th of each month and the email bills go out the day they are finalized before they are even mailed.

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

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that the fire department has had seven incidents, two of which included house fires, in the last two weeks. One of the fires was a home in Mt. Carmel that had significant damage. The family is working on cleaning up and rebuilding over the next months. The other fire was at a home in Allendale. This fire was a total loss. She stated that it is devastating when things like this happen, and we support those affected.

Commissioner Zimmerman reported that the fire department is continuing its monthly extrication training. She said it is interesting because they are learning different ways to take cars apart and techniques used to keep all parties safe at these events.

Commissioner Zimmerman stated that recycling will be closed on July 5, 2024.

Commissioner Zimmerman reminded the city that trash will run as usual on holidays, with the exception of Christmas. If you ever have a question about whether trash will run as usual, please call City Hall.

CITY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT – RYAN TURNER

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner briefly discussed phase 2 of the Oak Meadows project. Trees have been planted, mowing has been done, and they are working to clean up the ditch.

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner stated he has finalized the final TIF report and payout for the new O’Reilly Store. The store looks to open very soon.

City Administrative Assistant Ryan Turner stated that we wanted to negotiate with the Firemen and Machinist Union.

CITY ATTORNEY – DEREK MCCULLOUGH

City Attorney McCullough – is absent.

AIRPORT MANAGER – LUIS GARCIA

Airport Manager Garica reported they have been doing regular maintenance and mowing at the airport.

POLICE CHIEF – MIKE MCWILLIAMS

Police Chief McWilliams said the department would like to wish Officer Daniel Hopper well as he has resigned. Officer Hopper has accepted a job with Fairfield as an SRO officer for the school district. Officer Hopper has been a great employee and has done a wonderful job as our K9 handler. The department is now working on getting a new handler trained.

Police Chief McWilliams stated that the department is still looking to fill 2 dispatcher positions. Casey Smith and Brett Miller have both resigned for different reasons. The department wishes them well and thanks them for their service.

Police Chief McWilliams wanted to acknowledge the passing of Mr. Ray Stewart. Ray served the people of Mt. Carmel as a dispatcher for 19 years. He was always keeping up with what was going on in the city, and he will be missed.

FIRE CHIEF – FRANCIS SPETH

Fire Chief Speth – is absent.

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR – MIKE GIDCUMB

Public Works Director Gidcumb reported that the chip-and-seal and fog-seal programs will be on July 15 and 16. The specific locations should be presented at the next council meeting.

WABASH COUNTY E.M.A.

Wabash County E.M.A. Representative Rhonda Banks stated she is looking to find a second location that the city could utilize to assist residents following disasters.

BUSINESS MOTIONS

Commissioner Meeks motioned, and Commissioner Zimmerman seconded, to accept George Farler's bid of $450.00 for the 2009 Dodge truck. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Meeks motioned, and Commissioner Meador seconded, to accept Ordinance 2106, as written, to address the new water rate increase. All present voted by roll call. Commissioners Meeks, Ikemire, Meador, and Zimmerman voted aye.

Commissioner Zimmerman motioned, and Commissioner Ikemire 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 4:26 pm

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/nu0lhgpl/july-1-2024-agenda.pdf