Mount Carmel City Council approves minutes and consent agenda; leaders urge e-bike registration, warn against flushing wipes

The Mount Carmel City Council met for routine business and approved the minutes of its March 16, 2026 meeting and the evening's consent agenda by roll call vote. Commissioner Ickes-Myers was recorded absent; Commissioners Meeks, Matter and Zimmerman voted in favor.

The meeting centered on departmental updates and public-safety reminders. The presiding officer reported on America 250 planning for a proposed seven-day Fourth of July celebration and relayed a written police report from Chief Peach about vehicle registrations for e-bikes, golf carts and side-by-sides. "You should have a 2026 sticker. If you don't, they will pull you over and give you a ticket," the presiding officer said while relaying the police guidance and encouraged residents to call the police department to schedule registration.

Commissioner Meeks reported on sewer-plant operations at the Mulberry station, saying the No. 1 pump is operational after repair. Meeks warned residents against flushing wipes: "Please, I know I brought it up the last council meeting. Would you would everybody stop flushing these flushable wipes they call them? They do not biodegrade. They get into our screens. They plug them off. We burn up pumps." Meeks cited the potential cost of pump replacement, mentioned in the meeting as about $40,000.

Commissioner Zimmerman gave the fire-department update, saying the department handled roughly 13 incidents over two weeks, including grass fires, a shed fire in Allendale and a recent residential fire, and described ongoing mutual-aid and road-cleanup assistance. He also reminded residents about bulk trash rules, listing items the crews will not pick up (batteries, electronics, landscape waste, construction materials, oil, paint, tires and unwrapped mattresses).

Mr. Gidcomb notified the council the municipal transfer facility on Golden Aces Way will close for Good Friday and reopen Saturday. He also said that a parcel near a Girl Scout area had been staked — "Dave Dallas has staked off the Girl Scout area" — and that staff will prepare legal descriptions, applications and ordinance language if the city pursues action on the site.

At the airport report, Mr. Garcia said crews are awaiting fill material for a new hangar pad and that the municipal aviation fuel price was about $4.90 per gallon and jet fuel roughly $5.00–$5.04 per gallon, which he said compared favorably with some nearby airports.

With no further items, the council approved the consent agenda by roll call and adjourned.

The council did not take formal action beyond routine approvals; several announcements and operational updates were recorded for follow-up by staff.