Mt. Vernon City Council met June 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, June 5, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building, Veterans Park, 800 South 27th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL. Mayor John Lewis called the meeting to order.
Father Ben Hankinson from Trinity Episcopal Church gave the Invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Roll Call:
Roll call showed present: Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Jim Rippy, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Jeff May.
Presentation of Journals:
The Journals for May 15, 2017 City Council Workshop Meeting and the May 15, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting were presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Council Member Donte Moore made a motion to approve the journals as presented. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
Visitors/Citizens Requests/Addresses from the Audience:
Randy Knox spoke in favor of new tennis courts. The current six courts at the Park are becoming unplayable due to cracks and uneven surfaces. The courts will be unusable for competitive matches in the next one to two years. The tennis supporters are requesting that the City build six new courts at Lincoln Park in 2017. Community members have been very supportive with Kathy Asbery coordinating fund raising efforts. The funds could be used for bleachers and lights. Knox stated that if the City is unable to build six courts in 2017, he asked that the Council pledge to build six courts in 2018.
Karen Hamilton spoke in favor of new tennis courts. Hamilton asked everyone in the audience to stand up to show how important tennis courts are in our community. She said that the tennis program under Randy Knox has given many students opportunities that they would not have normally acquired.
Kathy Asbery spoke in favor of new tennis courts. Asbery reported that $26,000 has been raised in support of the tennis program and Randy Knox. She reported that the land is available from the Lincoln Park Foundation. Mayor John Lewis stated that the Mount Vernon High School is in desperate need of tennis courts and asked if the High School Board would negotiate with the City to construct the courts. Asbery, a school board member, replied that they would be willing to sit down and discuss tennis courts with the City. Council Member Donte Moore clarified that it will cost $450,000 to either build four new courts or replace the existing courts. Moore asked City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel to obtain a cost estimate to build six new courts. Bechtel explained that the City was awarded a $400,000 Open Space Land and Development Grant in 2014, but the State placed the funds on hold until 2016. The $400,000 grant was to help fund a $1.6 million-dollar project which included eight tennis courts, walking trail, restrooms, and a softball field. Meanwhile, the City reallocated their funds and does not have its portion any longer for the $1.6 million-dollar project. Bechtel said if the City does not complete the entire project, the City will lose the $400,000 grant. She stated that City could ask to use the funds for a smaller project, but the State has unofficially told her that a smaller project would not qualify for the grant. The City remains under contract with the original bidder and are under obligation to use bidder to construct the tennis courts. Bechtel explained that $450,000 is available in the 2012 Bond Fund to build four tennis courts. Lee Summers spoke about the condition of sidewalks in the Summerville area along Route 15 (Fairfield Rd) from Stinson to County Farm Road. He feels that the City should care for the existing sidewalks before constructing new sidewalks. He presented a June 1, 2012 Register News article which stated that the City planned to replace sidewalks along Route 15 (Fairfield Rd) from Stinson to County Farm Road, but no work was done. Summers cited the City’s Comprehensive Plan which identified this sidewalk as a major issue eight years ago. Council Member Mike Young reported that the City is going to begin repair of 600 feet of this sidewalk on Tuesday, June 13th. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that the work is being done in-house and funded by the Public Works budget. Mayor John Lewis stressed that the City is trying their best and reprioritizing projects. Lewis stated the City will do as much as they can with the little money available.
Beth Schroeder spoke about the condition of sidewalks in the Summerville area along Route 15 (Fairfield Rd) from Stinson to County Farm Road. She recently saw a grandmother push a stroller along Route 15 instead of using the dangerous sidewalks. She feels that this is a public safety issue and that the City forgets about the east side of Mt. Vernon.
Approval of Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable:
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval. Council Member Jim Rippy requested that the format of the accounts payable list be changed to make the reports more understandable.
Council Member Donte Moore made a motion to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,686,142.96. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
Bids & Quotes:
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel reported on the bids received for the construction of an extension of the Aquatic Zoo parking lot as well as the hard surfacing of the Lincoln Park parking Lot. She explained that initially this was planned as two separate projects, but later decided to combine the projects to save cost. City Engineer Brad Ruble explained that the design work was completed in-house. Three bids were submitted and it is recommended to award the base bid to Thurman Contracting, LLC of Jerseyville, Illinois in the amount $239,698.41. The parking lots will be striped with parking blocks.
Council Member Donte Moore asked if the new south lots would solve the residents’ complaints and alleviate the problem of people blocking residential driveways. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel feels that having orderly parking with striped spaces will help. There will be 309 parking spaces available after the lots are improved. Recently, the City placed “No Parking Signs” with the threat of being towed along Harlan Road, but the problem continues. The next step is to pass an Ordinance giving the police the authority to tow vehicles. Moore said the Council needs to discuss the towing option, because even with the new parking lots, it will not prevent people from parking along Harlan Road. Moore directed City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel to draft the Ordinance giving the police the authority to tow vehicles in this area.
Council Member Jim Rippy made the motion to award the bid for the construction of an extension of the Aquatic Zoo parking lot as well as the hard surfacing of the Lincoln Park parking Lot to Thurman Contracting, LLC of Jerseyville, Illinois in the amount $239,698.41. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel reported on the bids received for Fire Station 1 entry pavement. City Engineer Brad Ruble explained that the design work was completed in-house. Eight bids were submitted and it is recommended to award the base bid to the lowest responsive responsible bidder, Bevis Construction, Inc in the amount of $21,900.
Council Member Jim Rippy made the motion to award the bid for the Fire Station 1 entry pavement to Bevis Construction Inc. in the amount of $21,900. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel reported on the bids received for the Salute to Freedom Fireworks. Director of Tourism Angela Schrum stated that she sent bid sheets to eight companies plus advertised in the local newspaper. Only one bid was received from Central States Fireworks; the company that has provided the fireworks show for the last several years. The City spends $20,000 on fireworks and the companies bid the number of fireworks that will be received for $20,000.
Council Member Donte Moore made the motion to award the bid for Salute to Freedom Fireworks to Central States Fireworks in the amount of $20,000. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
City Manager:
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel introduced City Engineer Brad Ruble to present the June 2017 Capital Projects Report. Ruble explained that the Perkins Avenue Project 10th – 12th has been delayed again due to having to construct and reorder new manholes. The South 10th Street storm sewer was not where it was surveyed. In this area, it is difficult to determine where the manholes and other utilities are located causing many unforeseeable problems. Ruble reported that Perkins Avenue should be open in July 2017. Council Member Mike Young asked that the City communicate better with the public regarding delays.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids on Downtown Sidewalk and Curb Improvements at the Corners of 9th and Jordan and 10th and Harrison. The estimated cost of the project is $50,000. Special Service Area #1 will provide $20,000 and the Downtown Tax Increment (TIF) Financing District will provide $30,000.
Council Member Donte Moore made the motion to approve the request to seek bids for the Downtown Sidewalk and Curb Improvements. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to apply for the COPS Hiring Program. This program provides 75% of entry-level police officer salaries and fringe benefits over a three-year period. Bechtel proposed submitting a grant for three additional officers. Each new officer’s annual salary and fringe benefit cost $80,000, so the City would be reimbursed $60,000 per officer per year. Applying for three officers does not mean that the City would be awarded three positions.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to approve the request to apply for the COPS Hiring Program. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids on the Marteeny Sidewalk Project. This is part of a larger project which continues to grow. The final cost of the entire project for McCauley and Marteeny Roads amounted to $692,284 which was more than planned. The City will receive $136,994 from the Safe Routes to School grant, but considering the grant requirements, it was not beneficial to move forward with the grant.
Bechtel proposed not using the grant money and continue with the sidewalk project on Marteeny Road at an estimated cost of $450,000. This does include storm water management in this area.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to seek bids on the Marteeny Sidewalk Project. Seconded by Council Member Jim Rippy. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for discussion, the OSLAD Grant Status and Tennis Courts. This project started out as a $1.6 million-dollar project with eight tennis courts, restrooms, shelters, walking paths, and baseball fields. In 2014, the State suspended the $400,000 OSLAD Grant after the bid was awarded. A few months ago, the grant was released, but the City’sshare of $1.2 million funds wasreallocated for other projects.
The 2012 Bonds have $450,000 allocated to build four tennis courts. The State needs to be notified that the City will not use the $400,000 OSLAD Grant. This would cause the City to be barred from applying for another outdoor spaces grant for two years. There is no other liability. The City could send an amended grant application for a smaller project, but unofficially the State said that there would not be enough points to be awarded the $400,000 grant. Council Member Jim Rippy asked how much of the remaining $6.4 million bond fund has been prioritized. Bechtel replied $2.1 million. Mayor John Lewis stated that he spoke with Randy Knox and Mark Flota and found that the City needs to build at least six tennis courts to hold tournaments. The existing six City Park courts cannot be repaired for a long period of time due to the ground underneath. He suggested resurfacing the existing six courts for a cost of $30,000 to $40,000 while the City concentrates on finding enough money to build six new courts. Lewis would like to meet with the high school and Rend Lake College about cost sharing. He is not in favor of spending $450,000 now to construct four new tennis courts. Council Member Jim Rippy said it is obvious that the community want tennis courts and the City should try to find a way to provide them. Council Member Donte Moore said the bond money needs to be spent by December 2017. He asked to see the overall plan for the existing courts before proceeding with building of the new courts. Bechtel explained that the plan would be to patch the existing courts to make additional basketball courts and practice tennis courts. The $450,000 would be spent on excavating, storm water management and construction of four new courts. This does not include fencing, bleachers and lights. Kathy Asbery stated that funds raised by the community could go towards those items. Randy Knox asked what the additional cost would be to construct two more tennis courts. Bechtel stated that she would ask the bidder for a price for six new tennis courts. Council Member Jim Rippy said he would not like to see something done on a temporary basis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel updated the Council on the 7th Street Crossing project. Presently, she is coordinating a meeting with Milano Rail Car and Evansville Western Railroad to negotiate the opening of the 7th Street Crossing. Council Member Jim Rippy said that if the citizens want the crossing open, the City needs to do whatever it takes to open it. Bechtel explained that even if the barriers are removed, the crossing is impassable.
Any construction on the crossing needs be approved by Evansville Western Railroad. Rippy stated the contract says that the crossing is to be opened in case of emergencies. Bechtel explained that the contract is not clear about what the standard is to make the crossing passable for an emergency and whose responsibility it is to pay.
Rippy asked that she obtain an estimate. Council Member Donte Moore asked about the legal ramifications.
Bechtel explained that she cannot promise that the City would not end up in court because two companies have made investments based on the City’s agreement to close the crossing. Moore said that he does not want the City to be liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel updated the Council on the Public Utilities Committee. Bechtel explained that the Committee reviewed available information on the water and sewer lines. The Committee recommended to move forward for qualifications of companies that could perform a study of the water and sewer systems. The committee would then select and interview three of the top candidates to present their proposals.
City Attorney:
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Article 1, Section 1.3, Subparagraph (k), paragraph “fourteen” Rules for Public Participation. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this ordinance removes the 30-minute total time limit and allows an unlimited number of people to speak for 5 minutes. Individuals who wish to speak at the beginning of the Council Meeting can sign in and make their comments at the start of the meeting. Plus, there will also be a comment period at the end of meeting before the Mayor’s section. First Reading was held.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Establishing Prevailing Wage Rates. Howard explained that the City is required by the State of Illinois to adopt this Ordinance annually.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to suspend the rules on voting on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2017-25, An Ordinance Establishing Prevailing Wage Rates. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Property located on Indian Trail having PIN 06-24-477-006 to the City of Mt. Vernon. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that when property owners wish to tap onto the City’s water system, they are required to annex if the property is contiguous. First Reading was held.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving an Agreement between the City of Mt. Vernon and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this is a two-year agreement ending on April 18, 2018. The City and the FOP went through arbitration which resulted in no change except for a 1% step increase and a 1.75% wage increase.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Resolution Approving an Agreement between the City of Mt. Vernon and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
Mayor:
Mayor John Lewis presented to the Council the appointment of Pat Carlson to the Fire Pension Board. Carlson is the newly elected City Treasurer and she is an ex officio member by virtue of her position. Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the appointment of Pat Carlson to the Fire Pension Board. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
City Council:
Council Member Donte Moore thanked the Fire Department for the way they professionally handled an incident on Friday night. He said that Mt. Vernon has the finest Fire and Police Departments in Southern Illinois.
Executive Session:
No Executive Session was held.
Adjournment:
Council Member Donte Moore made a motion to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
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