Mt. Vernon City Council met Aug. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the Council:
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, August 6, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building, Veterans Park, 800 South 27th Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Mayor John Lewis called the meeting to order.
Pastor Harold Quick from the West Salem Trinity Church gave the Invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ROLL CALL
Roll call showed present: Council Member Jeff May, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Jim Rippy, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.
PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS
The Journal for the July 16, 2018 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: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
No comments were heard.
APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval. Council Member Jeff May asked how the City’s water usage has been trending over the past few months since many leaks have been repaired. Assistant Public Utilities Director Jonathan Younger replied that usage has reduced by 1% since December. Council Member Jim Rippy spoke on Henry, Meisenheimer & Gende Inc.’s monthly construction inspection cost of $39,141.07 for Chesley Industrial Park. Rippy reviewed the itemized cost and the list covers salaries from the principal to the technicians of the company. He feels that the City needs to find some way to reduce this cost rather than paying this amount monthly. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel replied that after this contract is completed, the City could implement it. The current contract states that any design changes need to be approved by the principal of the company.
Council Member Jeff May motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $2,496,878.13. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
BIDS & QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bids received for the construction of a South 42nd Turn Lane to Veterans Memorial Drive and Signal Relocations. Four bids were received:
| Bid Group | HMG’s Estimate | Hank’s Excavating & Landscaping | Sierra Bravo Contractors | Shores Builders, Inc. | Guinzy Construction |
| 1. | $506,796.11 | $461,898.10 | $517,148.91 | $528,294.82 | $685,397.80 |
| 2. | $527,223.11 | $478,350.30 | $526,537.76 | $545,078.61 | $703,630.42 |
| 3. | $528,823.11 | $481,508.70 | $529,846.56 | $548,297.17 | $707,132.82 |
| 4. | $508,396.11 | $465,056.50 | $520,457.71 | $531,513.38 | $688,870.20 |
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to accept the low bid from Hank’s Excavating & Landscaping for $461,898.10 for the construction of a South 42nd Turn Lane to Veterans Memorial Drive and Signal Relocations. Seconded by Council Member Jeff May. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to waive the bidding requirements to purchase an F-350 Crew Cab through the State of Illinois Purchasing Contract. Bechtel explained that the new truck would replace the City’s 2006 Ford F-350 Service Truck. Over the past years, the City has invested $51,060.33 and another $8,622.00 is required to fix the current truck. The State Contract price to replace is estimated at $38,295.00. Delivery will be in 90 to 120 days from order. Bechtel stated that the funds will come from the new 1% Sales Tax revenue
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to waive the bidding requirements to purchase an F-350 Crew Cab through the State of Illinois Purchasing Contract. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to waive the bidding requirements for the purchase and installation of four (4) out-door weather-warning sirens. Bechtel explained that recently the City installed a new warning siren, but there are four remaining sirens in need of replacement. Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent stated that the four remaining sirens are located south of Veteran’s
Park, Times Square Mall, City Hall, and Summersville Grade School. He said that he recommends purchasing the same sirens as was purchased for Lincoln Park. Sargent stated that the sirens will be compatible with each other and last about 20 to 25 years. Bechtel reported that the cost is $137,974.64 and the funds will come from the new 1% Sales Tax revenue. Blue Valley Public Safety Products will design and set up the sirens.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to waive the bidding requirements for the purchase and installation of four (4) out-door weather-warning sirens. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to close streets on September 27th through September 29, 2018 for the upcoming Fall Fest in downtown Mt. Vernon. The streets to be closed are 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Jordan Street on Thursday, September 27th, 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Jordan Street, Jordan Street from the east side of RARE Parking Lot to Johnson Alley, Casey Avenue from 10th Street to Johnson Alley on Friday, September 28th, and 9th Street from Broadway to Harrison on Saturday, September 29th. Tourism Marketing Executive Grace McDowell spoke on the upcoming Fall Fest.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to grant approval to close streets on September 27th through September 29, 2018 for the upcoming Fall Fest in downtown Mt. Vernon. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek quotes for an antenna for the new water meter system. Currently, the City has a 25-foot tower at the Municipal West Building and the request is to replace the existing tower with a 90-foot tower.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to grant permission to seek quotes for an antenna for the new water meter system. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
CITY ATTORNEY
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for second reading an Ordinance Amending Article 6, Section 6.14, Hours of Operation, Sales of Alcohol on Christmas Day. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this removes the exclusion of Christmas Day from the sale of alcohol.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2018-34, an Ordinance Amending Article 6, Section 6.14, Hours of Operation, Sales of Alcohol on Christmas Day. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Young, and Lewis. No: Rippy.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for first reading an Ordinance Authorizing a Loan with Community First Bank of the Heartland for the Water Meter Replacement and Advanced Metering Infrastructure System. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that it will cost $2.6 million to replace all of the commercial and residential water meters in the City’s system. The loan is for $2.7 million to cover the cost of the meters and unknown issues such as the replacement of meter pits. The interest rate is 2.79%, term is five years, and annual payment is $586,712.63. The source of funding is the new 1% Sales Tax revenue. Bechtel asked the Council to suspend the rules to vote on an Ordinance because the interest rate is good through tomorrow.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to suspend the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2018-35, an Ordinance Authorizing a Loan with Community First Bank of the Heartland for the Water Meter Replacement and Advanced Metering Infrastructure System. Seconded by Council Member Jeff May. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution approving a Master Material Supply and Services Agreement between the City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Stewart C. Irby Company d/b/a Irby Utilities. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained this agreement is for water meter replacement and advanced metering infrastructure system. Bechtel spoke on some of the benefits of the new system such as alerts for flow measurement and leak detection on a virtually real-time basis. The new RFI meters will not cause the current meter readers to lose their jobs. The cost is $2,602,967.00. Council Member Jim Rippy stated that he does not see where Irby has any accountability. Bechtel stated that Irby will provide a performance bond to ensure that the system works properly, and they will oversee the entire project. The project will take nine months to complete and Irby will supply progress reports every two weeks. Council Member Jeff May requested information on who is issuing the performance bond and their rating.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Resolution approving a Master Material Supply and Services Agreement between the City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois and Stewart C. Irby Company d/b/a Irby Utilities. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing Assignment of Loan Documents concerning the Revolving Loan Fund Program. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the State closed the City’s Revolving Loan Fund Program in 2018. At that time the City retained John Paul Braswell and Johnna Braswell’s two loans in the amount of $225,000 and $165,000. First National Bank of Carlyle has agreed to purchase the loans from the City at a discount.
Council Member Jeff May motioned to approve the Resolution Authorizing Assignment of Loan Documents concerning the Revolving Loan Fund Program. Seconded by Council Member Jeff May. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented an Inducement Resolution with MTK Investments, LLC concerning the Downtown Tax Increment Financing. MTK Investments are building a laundromat off of South 10th Street. If they are awarded TIF Benefits, any expenses that are eligible for reimbursement after the date of this Inducement Resolution can be considered for reimbursement in the TIF benefit. The proposed Resolution is not a guarantee or award of any TIF benefit.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Inducement Resolution with MTK Investments, LLC concerning the Downtown Tax Increment Financing. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented a Resolution Requesting Permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to close State Route 15 and 37 for the Fall Fest Parade on September 29, 2018 between 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Resolution Requesting Permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to close State Route 15 and 37 for the Fall Fest Parade. Seconded by Council Member Jim Rippy. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis reported on the July statistics from the Public Utilities, Fire, Police, Engineering and Inspections Departments.
Police Department handled 2146 calls which equals to about 70 calls each and every day. 130 people were arrested during the month. There were 130 criminal charges and 29 warrants served. They also conducted 354 traffic stops resulting in 181 citations, of which 17 were for use of cellphones. 3 people were arrested for D.U.I.’s, they had 39 drug charges, responded to 96 traffic crashes and they answered 96 alarms. The Detective Division was assigned 77 new cases, cleared 8 cases with arrests, referred 21cases to the States Attorney and had 3 crime scene call-outs. The Tactical Unit was deployed 3 times and our K9 team had 20 deployments. Our communication Center answered 10,815 non-emergency calls and 2,038 emergency calls.
Fire Department responded to 279 alarms of which 199 were recorded as EMS related, 6 of the responses were recorded as fire related, and 7 of the responses were recorded as hazard related. They responded to 11 Motor Vehicle Accidents, zero structure fires, zero rental dwelling fires, no arson fires, 15 false alarms, and 1 mutual aid wasgiven. The Fire Inspection Dept conducted 87-10A Inspections, 1 general business inspection, 3 permit inspections, 1 consultation inspection and 2 consumer fireworks training classes.
Public Utilities Department responded to 32 water breaks, repaired or replaced 8 services, processed 274 work orders, processed 167 JULIE locates, replaced 386 feet of 4-inch water main with new 6 inch and removed 450 ft of 2-inch galvanized water main. On the sewer side, they responded to 5 backed up sewer mains, 1 collapsed main, cleaned 12 sanitary and/orstorm mains, repaired 8 manholes, and televised and dye tested 2 sanitary sewer mains resulting in 1000 linear feet of main cleaned and 200 linear feet of main televised.
Engineering and Inspection Department. There have been 42 nuisance postings of which our city crews abated 18 properties. There were 4 properties condemned and there were 22 building permits totaling $796,886.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Donte Moore announced that
Roadhouse Harley-Davidson and Withers Broadcasting
have teamed up to give away 1,000 free backpacks with basic school supplies to any school-aged child in need, coupons for free haircuts for kids and no-cost dental care provided by Dental Safari Company. First come first served while they last. You will need to have the child or children present with you that are wanting backpacks. The event will be on Saturday, August 11th from 9 a.m. to noon at Roadhouse Harley- Davidson, 205 N. 44th Street.
Council Member Jim Rippy spoke on the tremendous feedback on Facebook regarding the installation of sidewalks on McCauley Road. He feels that residents were promised sidewalks and the City should follow through. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained initially the sidewalk was promised to Airport Road. The Airport Road sidewalk project was abandoned and the scope of the Safe Routes to School Grant was changed to include McCauley Road. The City was trying to administer and implement the Grant but ran into trouble based on jurisdiction of the road with the State of Illinois. The City Council decided not to proceed with the project and Grant because the costs escalated. Mayor John Lewis stated that the project is still on the board, but funding needs to be found. Bechtel stated that a sidewalk on Wilshire Drive was also promised. Engineering is complete for both McCauley Road and Wilshire Drive. Rippy reiterated that if the people were promised a sidewalk, then the City needs to find a way to do it.
Council Member Mike Young spoke on the free backpack giveaway. It was a huge undertaking by many organizations and he was overwhelmed by the community’s response.
Council Member Donte Moore spoke on Linola Spann’s neighborhood block party at 1904 Lamar Street. The third annual party will be held on August 11th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Over 400 backpacks with supplies will be given away.
Council Member Mike Young gave an update on the opening of Seventh Street crossing. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that contingent on vendor material delivery dates and the weather, Seventh Street should be open by the end of August.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Bob Watts, 3207 Lime Ave, commended Council Member Jim Rippy for his participation in the local Dancing with the Stars event.
Bobby Farris spoke on the recent shootings. Mayor John Lewis assured Farris that the City is doing what they can to stop the shootings.
Bart Southerd spoke against the sale of alcoholic liquor on Christmas Day. He said that he was disappointed that the Council approved the Ordinance.
Jere Shaw, 25 Cherry, spoke on the opening of the Seventh Street crossing. He thanked the Council for getting the road opened and suggested that a dedication ceremony be held to recognize the occasion. Mayor John Lewis stated that the ceremony is in the works.
Shaw spoke on the McCauley Road sidewalks. He feels that revenue from the new 1% Sales Tax should fund the project. Mayor John Lewis explained that the proceeds from the 1% increase in the Sales Tax is deposited and maintained as a separate dedicated fund to be expended solely for (i) expenses incurred for Capital construction projects for the Public Utility Department, (ii) expenses incurred for Capital equipment purchases for all City Departments, (iii) expenses incurred for road construction or road maintenance, (iv) early retirement of existing indebtedness with priority to payment of debt with the highest interest rate, and (v) nuisance abatement expenditures, including demolition of dangerous and dilapidated structures. Shaw urged the Council to find a way to fund the McCauley Road sidewalks.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Regular City Council Meeting Monday, August 6, 2018
At 7:56 p.m., City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested an Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body and 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (5) The purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body and 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (6) The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body. Seconded by Council Member Jeff May. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
At 8:20 p.m., the Regular City Council Meeting reconvened.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Jeff May, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Jim Rippy, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Jeff May. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
http://www.mtvernon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/August-6-2018-Regular-City-Council-Meeting.pdf
Alerts Sign-up