Wabash County Commissioners Board Agenda

October 7, 2024

AGENDA

1) Call to order:

2) Approve minutes of previous meeting:

3) Commissioner’s reports:

4) Officer’s reports:

5) Old Business:

a. ARPA Ordinance.

b. Construction of County Highway Building.

c. HVAC update in the Courthouse.

6) New Business:

a. Accept the resignation of WEMA Coordinator Mark Majors.

b. Kevin Kern from Snedeker Risk Management will discuss the ICRMT property/liability and work compensation renewal.

c. Cyber Policy Renewal with Cowbell.

a. Consider the Air Evac renewal.

b. Consider Holidays and Meeting Dates for 2024-2025.

7) Executive Session:

8) Correspondence:

9) Approval for payment of claims presented:

10) Adjournment:

The meeting will be held upstairs in the Courtroom.

Council Hears Grant Updates

In grant news, Mt. Carmel city clerk Ryan Turner reported to the city council Monday that the city’s application for a $3 million grant through I-DOT’s transportation enhancement program has been submitted. Turner said the city scored very well on the application and a decision on the grant should come sometime next Spring or Summer.

Police Chief Mike McWilliams said his department is looking to replace bullet proof vests with a grant that will cover half the cost. McWilliams also said he anticipates receiving a grant to replace Tasers with newer technology.

Fire Chief Francis Speth said his department is applying for a small equipment grant.

MCFD Ready For Fire Prevention Week

Next week is Fire Prevention Week and Mt. Carmel firefighters will be visiting local schools stressing the importance of fire safety. Fire commissioner Susan Zimmerman says the theme next is Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You…

The National Fire Protection Association reports that smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire in half.

City Council Discussed New WCHD LED Sign

Even though it meets all city guidelines, a new LED sign at the Wabash County Health Department at 7th and Chestnut Streets was a topic of discussion at Monday’s City Council meeting. City Clerk Ryan Turner said he was looking for guidance from the council on whether or not it should be approved. Mayor Joe Judge asked Turner to check to see if the sign could be dimmed at night to avoid becoming a nuisance to residents in that area.

City Council Approves New Contract With City Union Workers

The City of Mt. Carmel has reached a three year contract agreement with members of the IAM/AFL-CIO District 8 Affiliated Local number 22-93. The union represents city sewer, water, and street departments along with the brush crew. City Clerk Ryan Turner presented details of the new deal to the city council at their Monday meeting…

Turner said the additional $1 an hour for workers who have a CDL helps cover the cost of obtaining the license, something the city had not reimbursed worked for in the past.

9th Street Project To Start Next Month

Work is expected to begin November 18th on the much-anticipated 9th Street project in Mt. Carmel.  Mayor Joe Judge reported at yesterday’s city council meeting, that he had met recently with the Department of Transportation on the project…

Judge said Howell Paving has allocated 111 working days for the project with a completion date no later than October 25th, 2025.

Details Announced For River Camp Auction

The date has been set for the online auction of 14 river lots owned by the city of Mt. Carmel. The bidding will begin on October 22nd and end at 7pm on October 29th. The frontage lots along Hydraulic Avenue, better known as River Road, vary in size, but most are 50 feet. The minimum bid is $2,000 on each of the lots.

Meeting Rallies Support And Answers Questions For New Pool

About 25 local residents attended an informational meeting Thursday night on the proposed new pool project in Mt. Carmel. Mayor Joe Judge hosted the meeting and welcomed Josh Blair of Burbach Aquatics who said support is needed to help pass the November 5th tax referendum to help fund the $8.1 million project…

The tax levy would generate $3.5 million of the project with the remainder coming from grants, proceeds from the city’s share of the video gaming tax, and corporate donations.

Josh Blair of Burbach Aquatics makes a point during Thursday’s meeting.

Push Continues For Lead Line Surveys To Be Completed

City officials are continuing to push Mt. Carmel residents to fill out the lead water line survey that is required by the state of Illinois. Mayor Joe Judge says time is running out for the city to make sure all water customers have responded to the short survey….

Judge said if residents don’t have internet access, paper forms have been mailed which can be completed and returned to city hall. Judge said the city is not forgiving or forgetting those who haven’t completed the surveys and will continue to push until all of them are done.

Judge Reveals "Plan B" For Pool If Referendum Fails

So what happens if Mt. Carmel voters reject the tax referendum that would be used to help build a new city pool? Up to this point, it had been assumed that if the referendum is defeated, Mt. Carmel would not have a pool. But at an informational meeting Thursday night, Mayor Joe Judge told the group that there is a Plan “B” if the referendum fails….

Judge also plans two more meetings for October for voters to get a better understanding of the project….

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th .

3D Rendering of proposed Mt. Carmel Aquatic Center.