Mt. Vernon City Council met August 21.
Here is the minutes as provided by the council:
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, August 21, 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.
Jeff Steward with SSM Health Care 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 Journal for August 7, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions,
deletions or corrections. Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the journal as presented.
Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
Visitors/Citizen Request/Address from the Audience
No visitors addressed the Council.
Approval of Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval. Council Member
Jim Rippy asked if overtime is tracked on a total basis day by day. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel said no
but she could request that Department Heads report the number of overtime hours each day otherwise a
report can be generated after each bi-weekly payroll period. Rippy asked about the $6,950 payment to
CSX Transportation for an application review and approval. Bechtel explained that it is the fee charged by
CSX to review the City’s application to bore under the railroad crossing on 20th Street. Rippy asked if the
City ever challenged this fee. Bechtel replied no, because they could refuse to let the City bore under the
tracks.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in
the amount of $1,084,276.15. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young,
and Lewis. Absent: May.
Bids & Quotes
No bids and quotes were presented to the Council.
City Manager
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel introduced Finance Director Merle Hollmann to present the City’s first
quarter budget review for the period of May 1 to July 31, 2017. Bechtel explained that the City has no way
of knowing how much of the City’s revenue will go to the State. The known actions of the State are
incorporated in the budget. Hollmann explained that the first handout shows a recap of the City’s largest
funds, General Corporate and Public Utilities. After three months, General Corporate Fund shows an actual
operating deficit of $21,516 and the Public Utilities Fund shows a surplus of $15,706. Hollmann reported
that the State took 10% of the City’s income tax revenues amounting to $135,000. In addition, the State
started charging the City a 2% administration fee for the Home Rule Sales Tax amounting to $110,000. Had
it not been for the State, the General Corporate Fund would have shown about a $30,000 surplus. Council
Member Jim Rippy stated that this report does not give a complete picture unless the restricted funds are
included. Bechtel explained that when the City’s audit is complete, a workshop will be called to go over all
the accounts. Rippy inquired about the City’s depreciation schedule and inventory schedule. Hollmann
explained that the government accounting uses straight depreciation and FIFO (first in/first out) inventory.
The second handout shows the multi-year comparison of the 1% Sales Tax Revenue. In the 2016-2017 Fiscal
Year, there was a -3.4% decrease from the previous year. In the 2015-2016 Fiscal Year, there was a -1.2%
decrease. During the current Fiscal Year, the first month shows a -1.3% decrease and the second month
shows a +.05% increase. The total budget for the current Fiscal Year is $5,250,000. The 1% Sales Tax
Revenue is the largest revenue source in the General Corporate Fund.
The third handout shows the multi-year comparison of the 1% Home Rule Sales Tax. General Corporate
Fund receives two-thirds of the revenue and the Quality of Life Fund receives one-third of the revenue.
The Quality of Life Fund is a restricted fund. In the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year, there was a -3.0% decrease from
the previous year. In the 2015-2016 Fiscal Year, there was a -1.9% decrease. During the current Fiscal Year,
the first month shows a 2.2% increase and the second month shows a.01% increase. The total budget for
the current Fiscal Year is $3,498,000. The 1% Sales Tax Revenue is the largest revenue source in the General
Corporate Fund.
The fourth handout shows the multi-year comparison of the State Income Tax. This is the revenue that the
State will be taking 10% of the City’s revenue. In the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year, there was a -7.8% decrease
from the previous year. In the 2015-2016 Fiscal Year, there was a 1.5% increase. During the current Fiscal
Year, the first month shows a 6.3% increase, the second month shows a -1.5% decrease, and the third
month shows a -19.1% decrease. The State began taking their 10% in the third month. The total budget
for the current Fiscal Year is $1,455,400. The 1% Sales Tax Revenue is the largest revenue source in the
General Corporate Fund.
Council Member Jim Rippy asked how the City determine the amount in the Working Cash Fund. Merle
Hollmann explained that the previous City Council set the Working Cash Fund to be equal to at least one
month of operating expenses. He believes that one month is not enough and it should be two or three
months. Hollmann will provide the Council, the amounts that other comparable cities use.
Hollmann reported that the State will also take some of the City’s Personal Property Replacement Tax too.
Statewide the State will take $349 million from local communities. No one from the State has been able to
tell him what the effect will be on Mt. Vernon.
City Attorney
City Attorney David Leggans presented for second reading an Ordinance Amending Article 19 and Article
21 Concerning Mobile Homes in R-M2 (Medium Density Residential and Mobile Home) Zoning Districts.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained the changes would apply to mobile/manufactured homes in
areas zoned R-M2 (Medium Density Residential and Mobile Home). This Ordinance would allow
mobile/manufactured homes to be placed on single lots. Some restrictions and requirements are:
1. The minimum setup elevation for a mobile home shall be 32 inches.
2. Each mobile home shall have all wheels, tongues, and hitch mechanisms removed or retracted.
3. Each mobile home shall have a porch at its primary access entrance having a minimum size of
not less than 92 inches in width and 60 inches in depth and shall have a porch or deck at its
secondary access entrance of not less than 48 inches in width and 48 inches in depth.
4. The base of the mobile home shall be completely enclosed with mortared brick, mortared
concrete blocks, a poured concrete foundation on a footing of 1 foot by 1 foot, a basement wall,
or other commercial skirting, provided that said skirting shall not be of vinyl, plastic or metal
construction.
5. Each mobile home shall have a minimum of two off street parking sites.
6. The pitch of the roof of the mobile home shall be within a range of three-twelfths (3/12) to fivetwelfths
(5/12) and the mobile home shall have properly draining and functioning guttering
encircling the entire roof of the mobile home.
7. Each mobile home shall have lap siding.
8. The mobile homes must have been manufactured not more than 10 years prior to the date of
application for a Building Permit.
Bechtel explained that the City has tightened up the inspection criteria and it is very descriptive. Council
Member Jim Rippy stated that he does not have a problem with a 10-year manufactured date if there is
very strict inspection. In addition, Rippy would like the City to consider donating the lots to first time
homebuyers for a down payment on a home. No public comment was heard.
Motion by Council Member Mike Young to approve the Ordinance #2017-33, Amending Article 19 and
Article 21 Concerning Mobile Homes in R-M2 (Medium Density Residential and Mobile Home) Zoning
Districts. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent:
May.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for second reading of an Ordinance Amending Article 19A and
Article 21 Concerning Manufactured Home Developments R-MH Zoning Districts. City Manager Mary Ellen
Bechtel explained this is an identical Ordinance with the same restrictions and requirements as the
Ordinance #2017-33 except that the new mobile home developments must place manufactured homes not
more than 3 years old prior to the date of application for a Building Permit. Any expansions to an existing
park will fall under the new Ordinance. No public comment was heard.
Motion by Council Member Donte Moore to approve the Ordinance #2017-34, Article 19A and Article 21
Concerning Manufactured Home Developments R-MH Zoning Districts. Seconded by Council Member
Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for second reading of an Ordinance Amending Article 6 Alcoholic
Liquor Licenses. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that there are many proposed changes to this
Ordinance. Some changes include:
1. Existing package liquor license holders can apply for a license to allow Video Gaming Terminals
and consumption of beer and wine to patrons while playing the video games.
2. No more than one license for package liquor sales per company or individual. If a company
currently has two package liquor licenses, their licenses would be grandfathered in.
3. Creation of a new “Package Sales Beer and Wine License”. This will entitle the Licensee to make
package sales of beer and wine only at fuel and grocery stores. There will be no consumption
sales.
4. Creation of a new “Temporary Special Event Permit License”. This will entitle the Licensee to
make sales of alcoholic liquor by Licensee who holds a valid license under one of the other liquor
license classifications. The permit license shall be a temporary license which shall be issued for
one day and no Licensee shall be entitled to more than twenty-six (26) such temporary daily
permit licenses in any one calendar year.
5. All beverages including alcoholic liquors, served for consumption during a special event shall
only be served within and consumed from a paper, plastic, or Styrofoam cup or container; no
beverage shall be served for consumption during a special event within a glass bottle, cup, or
mug or metal can, cup or mug or similar type container.
6. The elimination of the “Sunday Sales” License and fee. License holders will automatically have
the permission to sell on Sunday.
7. Creation of a new “Interchange Video Gaming License”. This will entitle the Licensee to make
consumption sales of beer and wine only. The license shall issue only for establishments
situated within a three-fourths mile radius of the point of intersection of the center line of
Interstate Route 57 Exit Ramp Number 95 and the center line of Illinois State Route 15, or the
center line of interstate Route 57 Exit Ramp Number 94 and the center line of Veterans
Memorial Drive, or the center line of Interstate Route 64 Exit Ramp Number 80 and the center
line of Illinois State Route 37. In addition, the license shall be issued only for establishments
licensed under Section 11.16 of the Revised Code of Ordinances having not less than five (5)
licensed video gaming terminals.
8. Creation of a new “Retail Business Customer License”. This will entitle the Licensee to make
consumption sales of beer and wine; no package sales. The License shall be issued only to a
retail business whose primary sales are not the sale of alcoholic liquor or food and for which
the sale of alcoholic liquor is only an amenity offered for sale to customers of the retail business.
9. The elimination of the Liquor Advisory Board.
10. Downtown Sidewalk Dining Liquor Permit that entitles the Permittee to make sales of alcoholic
liquor for consumption in accordance with the provision of its license within a sidewalk dining
area.
11. Eliminates the $1,000 Bond requirement
12. Increases fines for violations.
13. Increases license fees.
No public comment was heard. Council Member Donte Moore asked for a clarification of consumption at
the package liquor stores. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that only the patrons who are playing
the video games can be served either beer or wine. It is not like a tavern where someone can walk in and
order an alcoholic beverage. Mayor John Lewis stated that this Ordinance will bring the City up to the 21st
Century.
Motion by Council Member Jim Rippy to approve the Ordinance #2017-35, an Ordinance Amending
Article 6 Alcoholic Liquor Licenses. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy,
Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for second reading, an Ordinance Amending Article 11, Section
11.16 Video Gaming Terminals. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this Ordinance increases
the license fee of each video gaming terminal from $75 per machine to $500 per machine. No public
comment was heard.
Motion by Council Member Donte Moore to approve the Ordinance #2017-36, an Ordinance Amending
Article 11, Section 11.16 Video Gaming Terminals. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas:
Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for first reading, an Ordinance Vacating Part of South Water Tower
Place Drive. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that when this road was originally built, it was
built as a cul-de-sac, then it was built as a through road but the cul-de-sac part was never removed. The
Greenwalt’s are constructing a commercial building south of the cul-de-sac and they would like to use part
of the area for parking. The owners will do the curbing and other improvements. First Reading was held.
City Attorney David Leggans presented a Resolution Granting a Conditional Sign Permit for Property Located
at 2210 Benton Road. The petitioning party is Jeremy Porter. The Planning and Zoning Commission
unanimously approved this request. No objectors were present. Mr. Porter explained that he desires to
remove the existing sign and install an electronic message board.
Motion by Council Member Jim Rippy to approve the Resolution Granting a Conditional Sign Permit for
Property Located at 2210 Benton Road. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy,
Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
Mayor
Mayor John Lewis stated that Chairman Ray Botch was unable to provide an update on the Public Utilities
Committee tonight.
Mayor John Lewis reported on the July statistics from the Fire and Police Departments. The Fire
Department responded to 317 alarms and the Police Department responded to 2,160 total events.
City Council
Council Member Donte Moore thanked Linola Spann for hosting this year’s neighborhood block party on
Lamar Street. He said approximately 200 children attended the event. They received hot dogs, sno-cones,
and backpacks. Moore also thanked Miss Spann and Central Christian Church for assisting with the
Neighborhood Clean-up.
Council Member Donte Moore announced that the monthly Community Watch Meeting will be held on
Monday, August 28, 2017 at 6:00 pm in the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building, Veterans Park, 800 South
27th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL.
Council Member Mike Young also thanked Linola Spann and Central Christian Church for their hard work.
Council Member Jim Rippy gave an update on the reopening of 7th Street at the railroad crossing. He said
that the City received a proposal from Milano and the railroad. The City has agreed to assist in obtaining a
grant to upgrade the signals and crossing. To operate in a cooperate manner, the Mayor and City Manager
offered to split the cost of getting the crossing back to its former condition with Milano and the railroad.
No response about splitting the costs has been received. Rippy stated that he is still determined that the
road should be given back to the people.
Visitors/Citizen Request/Address from the Audience
Linola Spann thanked everyone personally who turned out for the neighborhood block party. Next year,
she hopes for a larger event and she is looking for a larger location to hold the event.
Executive Session
City Manager Bechtel requested an Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) – Litigation and for
the quarterly review of Executive Session Minutes 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (21). Council Member Donte Moore
made a motion to adjourn to Executive Session pursuant to 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (11) – Litigation and for the
quarterly review of Executive Session Minutes 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (21). Seconded by Council Member Mike
Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
Council returned to open session at 8:18 p.m. Council Member Donte Moore motioned to reconvene the
Regular City Council Meeting. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young,
and Lewis. Absent: May.
The Executive Session Minutes of September 6, 2016, February 6, 2017, February 21, 2017, and April 19,
2017 were approved to be opened for public inspection. The Executive Session Minutes of November 7,
2016, March 20, 2017, and May 1, 2017 remain closed because of the need for confidentiality still exists.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to open for public inspection the Executive Session Minutes of
September 6, 2016, February 6, 2017, February 21, 2017, and April 19, 2017. Seconded by Council
Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
Adjournment
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas:
Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis. Absent: May.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m.
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