Mt. Vernon City Council met Monday, May 16.
The Mt. Vernon City Council meets regularly on the first and third Mondays of each month.
Here are the minutes as provided by Mt. Vernon:
CITY OF MT. VERNON, ILLINOIS
REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Monday, May 16, 2016
7:00 P.M.
MINUTES
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, May 16, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at the
Rolland W. Lewis Community Building, Veterans Park, 800 South 27th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL.
The invocation was given by City Clerk Jerilee Hopkins.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ROLL CALL
Roll call showed present: Council Members Dennis McEnaney, Donte Moore, Todd Piper and Mayor Mary Jane
Chesley. Absent: Council Member Jeff May.
PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS
The Journals for the April 29, 2016 Public Budget Hearing and Special City Council Meeting and the May 2, 2016
Regular City Council Meeting were presented to Council for their approval. Council Member Moore made a
motion to approve the Journals as presented. Seconded by Council Member Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore,
Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval. Council Member Moore asked City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel for additional information regarding the following items: #7 E & B Fire & Safety - $1,539.68 – Six helmets for Fire Department. Helmets are replaced on a rotating basis. #39 W. Russell Withers Jr (WMIX) - $1500.00 – Radio advertising Market Days and Friday’s Food for Tourism Department. This represents payment of services provided. Council Member McEnaney inquired about the following items: #3 Baxmeyer Construction - $391,738.45 – Construction of North 42nd Street from Victoria to Richview Road. Bechtel advised that six days of dry weather are needed in order to proceed on the project. #11 Illinois EPA Water Testing - $2,720.00 – Water Chemical analysis 7/1/16 thru 6/30/17. At least 15 water samples are tested on a daily basis along with bi-monthly and monthly sample testing. #14 Jefferson CountyDevelopment Corporation - $50,000.00 – 1st Distribution of funds per the 2016/2017 Budget. JCDC is the economic development arm for the City and Jefferson County. The City contributes a total of $150,000.00 per year to JCDC. #17 Kaeser & Blair - $4,511.16 – Various promotional items for Tourism Department. #18 KFVS - $1,653.25 – Steel Guitar Show advertising for Tourism Department. #22 Meredith Corporation - $1,700.00 Steel Guitar Show advertising. Tourism Director Angela Schrum reported a very successful Steel Guitar Show. #20 Landers Automotive Corporation - $3,048.96 – Repairs to 2015 Ford Explorer. Damage was caused by hitting a mail box. #31 Randy Engle - $1,575.00 – Maintenance and support for backflow prevention software. This software tracks industrial and commercial clients’ water backflow to prevent and protect from cross contamination in water lines. Council Member Piper inquired about Item #32 Rend Lake Conservancy District - $157,850.50 – April water purchases. He noted that the amount of water purchased by the City is reduced. Bechtel noted that many water leaks are being repaired during the ongoing water main replacement project on Main Street and Broadway.
Council Member McEnaney made a motion to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $2,136,113.17. Seconded by Council Member Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
BIDS & QUOTES
Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a request for Permission to seek Request for Proposals for Website Design. Tourism Director Angela Schrum advised all of the content was removed from the Tourism Website, EnjoyMtVernon.com, because the links were broken. The scope of the project is to create a website that the Mt. Vernon Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, City of Mt. Vernon and Mt. Vernon Parks and Recreation Department can purchase to replace their current websites. Council Member Piper made a motion to grant Permission to Seek Request for Proposals for Website Design. Seconded by Council Member Moore. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
CITY MANAGER
Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Close South 7th Street from Broadway to Jordan Street every Friday from May 27th – September 23rd for Friday Food and Art at Broadway Market. Council Member McEnaney made a motion to grant Permission to Close South 7th Street from Broadway to Jordan Street every Friday from May 27th – September 23rd for Friday Food and Art at Broadway Market. Seconded by Council Member Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to close South 9th Street from Jordan Street to Casey Avenue on July 16th from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. for a Charity Event Sponsored by ABATE. Greg Elkins and Arlie Cash, members of the Southern IL Chapter 27 of ABATE, appeared to answer questions about the event. Council Member Moore made a motion to grant Permission to close South 9th Street from Jordan Street to Casey Avenue on July 16th from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. for a Charity Event Sponsored by ABATE. Seconded by Council Member Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property. The outdated vehicles and equipment are from the Police, Fire, Public Works, Public Utilities, Parks, Engineering/Inspection and Fleet Services Departments. Mike Shannon, Director of Fleet Services, estimates to receive approximately $174,000.00 for the surplus to be sold at auction and by other means. A copy of the list of surplus vehicles and equipment are available in the City Clerk’s Office. Council Member Piper made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2016-10 Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property. Seconded by Council Member McEnaney. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
City Attorney Leggans presented for Council’s consideration an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 314 S.5 th Street from RM-2; Medium Density Residential to B-2; Secondary Business. The petitioning party is Larry Martin. Mr. Martin appeared and stated he intends to build a garage on the property for storage of a car collection. Adjoining property is also zoned B-2. The rezoning was unanimously approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Council Member McEnaney made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 2016-11 Rezoning Property Located at 314 S. 5th Street from RM-2; Medium Density Residential to B-2; Secondary Business. Seconded by Council Member Moore. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
City Attorney Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Granting a Conditional Sign Permit for Property located at 2417 Broadway. The petitioning party is Electronic Architechs. The conditional sign permit was unanimously approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Council Member McEnaney made a motion to approve a Resolution Granting a Conditional Sign Permit for Property located at 2417 Broadway. Seconded by Council Member McEnaney. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
City Attorney Leggans presented for Council’s consideration an Inducement Resolution for TIF Assistance with Barry and Kimmy Dent. Barry Dent appeared and noted that he purchased the apartment building located at 715 Main Street which is within the boundaries of the Downtown Tax Increment Financing District and wishes to renovate said apartment building. According to this Inducement Resolution, upon approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Council, expenditures may be allowable redevelopment project costs under the proposed Tax Increment Financing Plan once a redevelopment agreement between the Dents and the City is adopted. Council Member Piper made a motion to approve an Inducement Resolution for TIF Assistance. Seconded by Council Member Moore. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
City Attorney Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Agreement with IDOT for Appropriation of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for Maintenance of Streets and Highways in the amount of $340,823.00. These funds will be used to “oil and chip” and for “overlay” of certain City streets. Council Member McEnaney made a motion to approve a Resolution Approving Agreement with IDOT for Appropriation of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for Maintenance of Streets and Highways. Seconded by Council Member Moore. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
MAYOR
Mayor Chesley presented for Council’s consideration the Reappointment of William Pittman to the Police Pension Board. Council Member Piper made a motion to Reappoint William Pittman to the Police Pension Board. Seconded by Council Member Moore. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
Mayor Chesley presented for Council’s consideration the Appointment of Ryan Wellmaker to the Airport
Authority Board. Council Member Moore made a motion to Appoint Ryan Wellmaker to the Airport Authority Board. Seconded by Council Member Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
Mayor Chesley presented for Council’s consideration the Reappointment of Larry Kent to the City Housing
Authority Commission. Council Member Moore made a motion to Reappoint Larry Kent to the City Housing Authority Commission. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
Mayor Chesley announced that a ribbon cutting will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. for the opening of Ambassador Road near the new High School.
Mayor Chesley also announced that 2015 year to date building permits report in April totaled $1,731,086.00.
The 2016 year to date April report totals $9,262,251.00.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Moore reminded residents that the 4% increase in sewer rates goes into effect on June 1. The rate increase for the trash pickup is already in effect ($16.50 to $19.00).
Council Member Piper thanked employees of the City’s Public Works Department for their hard work clearing downed trees after the recent thunder storms. The City waived the burn ban during the week of Saturday, May 14 through Saturday, May 21 in order for residents to burn fallen tree limbs but not leaves.
Council Member McEnaney recognized and thanked Police Chief Chris Deichman and his Department for their annual participation and support of the Special Olympics.
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
According to Rend Lake Conservancy District Board member Jim Rippy, a legislative bill was recently presented by State Rep. Terri Bryant increasing Mt. Vernon’s representation on the RLCD but was blocked in subcommittee from further action. Under terms of the River Conservancy Act, two representatives are appointed by the Jefferson County Board, and one from the city of Mt. Vernon. Franklin County, due to the size of its cities at more than 5,000 residents — has four appointees, two appointed by Franklin County, one from Benton and one from West Frankfort. Rippy pointed out Mt. Vernon has a population of 15,000, while West Frankfort has 8,000 and Benton a population of 7,000. The proposed legislation would give each municipality within the district a board seat for every 6,500 in population. Based on the current population, the City of Mt. Vernon would receive one additional seat on the board and would give the city equity in board representation.
Eric Gockel, of the Mt. Vernon Community Gardens group, requested to be placed on the City Council meeting agenda for permission to locate a community garden in the northeast corner of Veteran’s Park property. Council suggested that the group submit the architect’s garden design to Council for their review.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
City Manager Bechtel requested an Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective Negotiation and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation of the Open Meetings Act. Council Member Piper made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(2) Collective Negotiation and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) Litigation. Seconded by Council Member Moore. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Piper made a motion to adjourn the Regular City Council Meeting. Seconded by Council Member McEnaney. Yeas: McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Absent: May.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jerilee Hopkins
City Clerk
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