Mt. Vernon City Council met October 15.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, October 15, 2018 at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building, Veterans Park, 800 South 27th Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Mayor John Lewis called the meeting to order at 7:13 pm. The meeting was delayed due to the Public Hearing which was held beforehand.
Pastor Ronald Lash of the Corinthian Baptist 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 October 1, 2018 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Journal as presented. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Visitors/Citizens Requests/Addresses From The Audience:
Amanda Brink, 605 Harrison Street, stated that she asked the City’s Inspection Department several times about a tree that is partly on her property and City property. The decayed tree needs to be removed before it falls on power lines or homes. Brink said that she would take care of removing the tree if the City is not responsible. She asked for an answer as to who is responsible for its removal. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel will look into this matter and give her a reply soon.
Approval Of Consolidated Vouchers For Accounts Payable:
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval. Council Member Jim Rippy noted that another $59,824.81 was paid for construction inspection for Chesley Industrial Park and he asked how much longer this project will take. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel replied that the final walk-through was last week, and the final bills will then be submitted within the next month. Rippy stated that $59,000 is a lot of money for one month and this is something that needs to be investigated. Bechtel stated the project is funded fifty-percent by grants through the EDA, IDOT Economic Development Grant, and the TARP Truck Route Grant.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,160,937.20. 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 Davidson Avenue Road Patch Project. Seven bidders submitted bids. The low bidder was Rollie Excavating and Cement Finishing Inc. from Woodlawn, IL with a bid of $51,414.00. Bechtel stated that the work will start as soon as possible and explained that this will be a difficult project because the area is deep with blue mud. The road will be out of service for at least one week which will inconvenience businesses and truckers.
Rollie Excavating, Woodlawn, IL $51,414.00
T & L Contracting, Centralia, IL $62,046.00
KRB, Trenton, IL $70,677.00
Guinzy Construction, Ashley, IL $70,605.42
Stultz Excavating, Alton, IL $76,070.30
Shores Builders, Centralia, IL $59,742.12
Hanks Excavating, Belleville, IL $65,824.50
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to accept the low bid from Rollie Excavating and Cement Finishing Inc. in the amount of $51,414.00. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bids received for the Parking Lot Sealing Project for Veteran’s Park, Aquatic Zoo, and City Hall. Two bidders submitted bids. The low bidder was Jax Asphalt from Mt. Vernon, IL with a bid of $15,851.00. Council Member Donte Moore asked how long the sealing will last. Bechtel replied three to five years and she is trying to develop a proper maintenance program.
Jax Asphalt, Mt. Vernon, IL $15,851.00
Rooter’s Asphalt, Beckemeyer, IL $19,875.00
Council Member Jeff May motioned to accept the low bid from Jax Asphalt in the amount of $15,851.00. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bids received for the demolition of thirteen properties. Four bidders submitted bids. The low bidder was Heck’s Excavating from Mt. Vernon, IL with a bid of $52,000.00. Bechtel explained that twenty-eight properties are budgeted for demolition this fiscal year.
Heck’s Excavating, Mt. Vernon, IL $ 52,000.00
Kenneth A. Hails Excavating, Texico, IL $ 54,000.00
Hanks Excavating, Belleville, IL $108,900.00
Terra Pro Excavating, Creal Spring, IL $ 65,000.00
The properties to be demolished are:
1. 101 Casey Avenue
2. 712 S. 22nd Street
3. 1613 S. 12th Street
4. 802 S. 22nd Street
5. 700 S. 19th Street
6. 116 Wagner Avenue
7. 2100 Logan
8. 2108 Logan
9. 1700 S. 14th Street
10. 1810 & 1812 Perkins Avenue
11. 831 S. 18th Street
12. 829 S. 18th Street
13. 913 S. 21st Street
Motion by Council Member Jim Rippy to accept the low bid from Heck’s Excavating in the amount of $52,000.00. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager:
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for approval the Preliminary and Final Subdivision Plat for Property on East Savanna Road. The petitioning party is Mark Shrum. Marshall Davis with Roundtable Design stated that Shrum purchased a nine (9) acre parcel adjoining their property and desires to sell off three acres of the property for a new home. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved this request and no objectors were present.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Preliminary and Final Subdivision Plat for Property on East Savanna Road. Seconded by Council Member Jim Rippy. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for Cleaning Services at City Facilities. The facilities to be cleaned are the Police Department, City Hall, Municipal Building West, and the 12th Street Maintenance Building. The current two-year contract will expire in November and the bids will be for another two-year contract.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for Cleaning Services at City Facilities. Seconded by Council Member Jeff May. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Attorney:
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of Property at 1201 Veteran’s Memorial Drive from R-3 - High Density Residential District to B-2 – Secondary Business District. The petitioning party is Gardell Strite. Andrew Weaver, Mr. Strite’s son-in-law, explained that he plans to sell storage buildings at the location. The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved this request and no objectors were present.
Council Member Jeff May motioned to approve Ordinance #2018-40 Approving the Rezoning of Property at 1201 Veteran’s Memorial Drive from R-3 - High Density Residential District to B- 2 – Secondary Business District. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented an Ordinance Approving the Conditional Use for a Kennel in R-M2 – Medium Density Residential and Mobile Home District at 1206 Warren. The petitioning party is Christy Fuller, owner of Big Paws Little Paws. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved this request with a 4-2-1 vote and no objectors were present. Christy Fuller explained that she wishes to expand her grooming business to include the boarding of up to twelve (12) dogs. The Commission Members who voted no, felt that boarding may disturb the residential neighborhood.
Council Member Jeff May motioned to approve Ordinance #2018-41 Approving the Conditional Use for a Kennel in R-M2 – Medium Density Residential and Mobile Home District at 1206 Warren. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for First Reading an Ordinance Declaring Surplus Municipal Property. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the surplus items consist mostly of Police Department bicycles and radios plus a pile of 4,000 octagon shaped bricks.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to suspend the rules on voting on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Jeff May. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2018-42 Declaring Surplus Municipal Property. Seconded by Council Member Jim Rippy. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented an Inducement Resolution for the Development of Real Estate by Outdoor Power Sales at 605 South 10th Street. The company plans to renovate and improve the exterior, interior, and facade, and a new addition to the building. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that 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. The amount of requested TIF Funds and related “lift” in property tax is uncertain.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Inducement Resolution for the Development of Real Estate by Outdoor Power Sales at 605 South 10th Street. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented a Resolution of Support for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation Grant. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated the City could qualify for up to $450,000 in grant funds to improve homes in the City of Mt. Vernon.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to approve the Resolution of Support for the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) Housing Rehabilitation Grant. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 for a School Resource Officer (SRO). This Agreement was presented in May 2018, but District 80 requested a few changes. Changes include:
• Identifies the District 80 Facilities that the School Resource Officer will service
• Specifies Article VII, Section 10 of the Illinois Constitution which authorizes intergovernmental cooperation
• Provides that if District 80 is dissatisfied with the services of the SRO, District 80 may request that the City assign a different officer or immediately terminate the agreement
• Defines the SRO’s duty hours
• Provides that in the event of a second day of consecutive absence, the City will assign a different officer to substitute for the absent SRO if another officer is available for such assignment as determined by the City
• Acknowledges that the City and District 80 will maintain the appropriate insurance policies
Council Member Jim Rippy fully supports having a School Resource Officer at District 80, but he feels that the school should pay 100% of the annual cost of the officer. Bechtel replied that District 80 will pay the wages and fringes for everyday that the officer works for District 80. The term of the Agreement is May 1, 2018 through April 30, 2022.
Council Member Jeff May motioned to approve the Resolution Approving an Agreement with Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 for a School Resource Officer (SRO). Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
Mayor:
Mayor John Lewis thanked everyone for their role in Saturday’s Boo with the Blue. The event was a huge success with hundreds of people attending. The members of FOP Lodge #241 provided hundreds of free funnel cakes and candy to the children and families attending this event. The event was sponsored by Dominos and Roadhouse Harley Davidson.
City Council:
Council Member Jim Rippy reported that he had the privilege to do a ride-along with the officers of the Mt. Vernon Police Department. He was impressed with the professionalism, care, and courtesy they use in dealing with a variety of situations.
Council Member Jim Rippy feels that it is time to reopen discussion on a railroad bypass for the east side of Mt. Vernon. A tremendous amount of work was previously completed on this project and he feels that now only funding is needed. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that Hanson Engineer’s study is still current. On October 30, 2018, a City Council Workshop will be held at 10:00 am at City Hall to explain the study and potential costs. The last time that this was discussed the cost was estimated at $34 million.
Council Member Mike Young asked if there was an update on the City Park Lake. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the chemical process of dredging the lake is not workable because of the ratio of organic and inorganic material. The chemical process works for organic material, not inorganic material. Bechtel asked Assistant City Manager Nathan McKenna, Public Works Director Matt Fauss, and Assistant Public Utilities Director Jonathan Younger to develop a five-year plan for dredging, rip-rap repair, and renovation of the spillway and the bridge. Mayor John Lewis added that the City has now been approached by citizens to address the silting and vegetation problems at Jaycee Lake. Council Member Jeff May stated that until the City has a realistic capital long-term plan to address spending, the City should not plan to do anything because of other priorities.
Council Member Donte Moore urged residents who were not present at the Public Hearing on the State of Illinois Community Development Block Grant to contact the Crosswalk Community Action Agency for information. Citizens need to take advantage of this grant.
Visitors/Citizens Requests/Addresses From The Audience:
Bob Watts, Jefferson County Treasurer, shared with the Council the Advisory Question on the November 6th ballot. It reads as follows: "Should the Illinois General Assembly amend the state constitution to ban the implementation of a statewide 1% property tax increase." Yes or No. He feels that the correct answer to this question is YES, because we do want them to ban the implementation of a 1% property tax. He stated that such a tax increase would send $5-million of Jefferson County money to Springfield annually. He urged everyone to read this question carefully and share this with your friends.
Executive Session:
No Executive Session was held.
Adjournment:
Council Member Mike Young motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Jeff May. Yeas: May, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
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