Mt. Vernon City Council met Feb. 21.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order.
The Invocation was given by Council Member Todd Piper.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll Call
Roll call showed present: Council Members Jeff May, Dennis McEnaney, Donte Moore, Todd Piper and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.
Presentation Of Journals
The Journal for the February 6, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Council Member Moore made a motion to approve the Journal as presented. Seconded by Council Member May. Yeas: May, McEnamey, Moore, Piper and Chesley.
Visitors/Citizens Requestsaddresses From The Audience
Mike Bullard, Mayor of Bluford, presented a letter to the Mayor and Council expressing his disagreement with the additional capital improvement fees being charged to the Village of Woodlawn, Willage of Bluford, Dix-Kell Water Commission, Village of Belle Rive, Village of Waltonville and Northeast Water Company. The letter was signed by the Mayors/Presidents of each community.
Eric Gockel presented an update on the Community Gardens.
Approval Of Consolidated Wouchers For Accounts Payable
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel clarified the following items: #6 Community 1st Bank of Heartland-$50,000.00-Downtown TF Reimbursement. This represents the facade improvement to the Bank. #12 HB Williamson Co.-$46,875.00-Downtown TF Reimbursement. Their total TIF award was $225,000.00 and this is the last payment. #18 Kip and Katrina Bauer-S27,005.00-Downtown TIF Reimbursement. Their total TIF award was $108,020.00 and this is their last payment. #29 Steven Beal-$53,310.00Downtown TIF Reimbursement. The TIF award was $150,000.00 and several more payments remain on this award.
Bechtel reported that $8,083,122.79 of improvement projects have occurred in the Downtown TIF District since 2008 with a total TIF commitment of $3,207,589.24. She reminded that other business/property owners have made improvements in the downtown area that did not receive a TIF award.
Council Member Moore made a motion to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,045,414.95. Seconded by Council Member Piper. Yeas: May, McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley.
Bids & Quotes
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council's consideration Permission to Seek Bids for Lincoln Park Concessions. In the past, the City had an informal agreement with the Jefferson County Sports Authority. With more ball games and activities at Lincoln Park, it is time to enter a formal agreement which will cover the four ball fields, including high School games, so that concessions are available at all ballgames. This agreement does not include the proposed concession stand at Brennan Klein Field but rather the stand located in the center of the four-field complex.
Council Member Piper made a motion to grant Permission to Seek Bids for Lincoln Park Concessions. Seconded by Council Member McEnaney. Yeas: May, McEnamey, Moore, Piper and Chesley.
City Manager
City Manager Bechtel presented Consideration of Preliminary and Final for Klein Subdivision for property located at 14175 N. Memory Lane. Kyle Landsdowne, of Round Table Design, appeared on behalf of the property owners Dwayn & Betty Jane Klein. They are requesting to divide the property to give their son three acres. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved their request.
Council Member Piper made a motion to accept Consideration of Preliminary and Final for Klein Subdivision for property located at 14175N Memory Lane. Seconded by Council Member May. Yeas: May, McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley.
City Attorney
City Attorney David Leggans presented for Council's consideration an Ordinance Approving Rezoning of Property located at 1300 George Street from -1; Light Industrial to B-2 Secondary Business. The Petitioning Parties are Everett and Tad Welch. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved their request. The Welch's appeared and stated that they are relocating a body shop from the county into the City at the old Lipps Construction building at 1300 George Street,
Council Member May made a motion to approve Ordinance #2017-08 Rezoning Property located at 1300 George Street from -1; Light Industrial to B-2 Secondary Business. Seconded by Council Member Piper. Yeas: May, McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley.
City Attorney Leggans presented for Council's consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Transfer of Municipal Real Property commonly known as 145 Opdyke. Bechtel reported this property is owned by the City and was previously slated to be demolished but the demolition program was suspended due to budget cuts. An adjacent property owner, Jessee Colvin, has agreed to demolish the structures at his own expense if the City will transfer the real estate to him. He has six months to complete the demolition. The cost of demolishing the structures would cost the City between S5,000.00 and $7,000.00. FIRST READ.
City Attorney Leggans presented a First Reading of an Ordinance Establishing a Mountain Bike Park and Designating Mountain Bike Trails at Jaycee Lake. Wes Plummer, Director of Parks & Recreation, appeared to discuss the proposed Mountain Bike Park at Jaycee Lake. Plummer noted that no Parks & Recreation funds will be spent on this project.
Lake Jaycee has a long history with the City of Mt. Vernon. The Parks & Recreation Department is excited at the possibility of creating a new opportunity for those in our community and surrounding area. The project will be on the east side of the lake. The approximately 30 acres of property that was formerly a public beach and Wooded area would be developed for multiple uses. A small parking lot will be added along with a few picnic tables and trash receptacles. The main attraction to this park will be a mountain bike trails throughout the property. With the help of volunteers, trails will be made to offer a great experience for riders. The addition will also allow for many programs and special events to be created to take advantage of the surrounding nature. The following rules will be enforced:
o Park is open Sunrise to Sunset a Helmets are required for all riders O Trail Riding is inherently dangerous, riders do so at their own risk o Ride only on designated trails o NO motorized vehicles of any kind on the trail O All pets must be on a leash and remove any waste O NO alcohol on park property o Stay off wet or snow covered trails o To report unsafe trail conditions please call 618242-6890
Council Member Piper made a motion to Suspend the Rules and vote on an Ordinance Establishing a Mountain Bike Park and Designating Mountain Bike Trails at Jaycee Lake. Seconded by Council Member May. Yeas: May, McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley. Council Member Piper made a motion to approve Ordinance #2017-09 Establishing a Mountain Bike Park and Designating Mountain Bike Trails at Jaycee Lake. Seconded by Council Member Moore. Yeas: May, McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley.
City Attorney Leggans presented for Council's consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Vacating an Alley. Bechtel stated that Jeremy Sneed, the owner of Trackside Restaurant, requested that the alley behind his business be vacated for future expansion of his business. He owns the property south of the alley as well, No utilities are in the alley. FIRST READ.
City Attorney Leggans presented for Council's consideration a Resolution Approving a Conditional Sign Permit for property located at 1321S 10th Street. Petitioning Party: Wes Rogers Tire and Auto Inc. Todd Ham of T Ham Signs was present. He stated the conditional use permit is requested so that an electronic sign may be installed like those on Broadway. The permit was unanimously approved by the Zoning and Planning Commission with no objectors present.
Council Member McEnaney made a motion to approve a Conditional Sign Permit for property located at 1321 S 10" Street. Seconded by Council Member May. Yeas: May, McEnaney, Moore and Chesley. Abstain for business reasons: Piper.
City Attorney Leggans presented for Council's consideration a Resolution Approving an Agreement for Engineering Services with Rhutasel and Associates Inc. for Resurfacing of Richview Road. Bechtel advised that proposed improvements consist of roadway surveys, pavement borings, bidding process, milling/resurfacing, and pavement patching from 42"Street to Wilshire Drive. The Engineering Services shall not exceed $48,200.00. The total cost of the resurfacing project is approximately $600,000.00 and paid for with 2012 bond funds.
Council Member Piper made a motion to approve an Agreement for Engineering Services with Rhutasel and Associates Inc. for Resurfacing of Richview Road. Seconded by Council Member Moore. Yeas: May, McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley.
City Attorney Leggans presented for Council's consideration a Resolution Establishing a Capital improvement Fee for the Village of Woodlawn, Village of Bluford, Dix-Kell Water Commission, Village of Belle Rive, Village of Waltonville and Northeast Water Company. Bechtel sent a letter to all the villages/municipal corporations notifying them of the additional fee. City Council previously determined that a monthly Capital improvement Fee was necessary to provide funds for capital improvements to the water system of the City (Ordinance 2016-27) and imposing a Capital improvement Fee upon certain residential, commercial, and government users of the City's water system (which Ordinance did not include the municipal Corporations identified above) to provide funds to make capital improvements required to preserve the integrity of the Water system of the City and to serve the best interests of the users of the water system. The Resolution states: 1. In addition to payment of the rates established by Resolution enacted January 21, 2014 establishing rates for gallonage purchases, a Capital Improvement Fee based upon the size of the water meter or meters utilized for the sale of water to the municipal Corporations identified herein is hereby assessed and shall be paid each month in accordance with the following Schedule; 3" meter - $84.38; 4" meter - $126.57; 6" meter - S190.47.
Council Member McEnaney made a motion to approve a Resolution Establishing a Capital improvement Fee for the Village of Woodlawn, Village of Bluford, Dix-Keli Water Commission, Village of Belle Rive, Village of Waltonville and Northeast Water Company. Seconded by Council Member Moore. Yeas; May, McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley.
Mayor
Mayor Chesley presented to Council the Appointment of Eric Gockel to the Park Board to replace Teri Clark who is moving out of town. Thank you to Teri for all her years of service.
Council Member May made a motion to approve the Appointment of Eric Gocket to the Park Board. Seconded by Council Member Moore. Yeas: May, McEmaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley.
City Council
Council Member Moore noted that the next community watch meeting will be held on Monday, February 27, at 6:00 p.m. at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building.
Council Member Piper reminded that the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast will be held this Saturday, February 25, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building.
The Mt. Vernon Township High School Hall of Fame Sports Induction Banquet will be held this Saturday, February 25, at the High School.
Executive Session
Bechtel requested an Executive Session to discuss the Disposition of Property, 5 LCS 120/2(c)(6). Council Member Piper made a motion to go into Executive Session to discuss Disposition of Property. Seconded by Council Member May. Yeas: May, McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley.
Adjournment
Council Member Moore made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member May. Yeas: May, McEnaney, Moore, Piper and Chesley.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
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