City of Mt. Vernon City Council met June 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor John Lewis called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Attorney John Hundley from the First United Methodist Church gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ROLL CALL
Roll call showed present: Council Member Ray Botch, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Jim Rippy, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.
PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS
The Journals for the May 23, 2019 Emergency City Council Meeting and the May 20, 2019 Regular City Council Meetings were presented for approval.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Journals as presented. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Cynthia Bevis of King City Property Brokers spoke on the “Downtown Funk” which will be held every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. during the summer. Live music will be provided. Bevis encouraged everyone to bring their lunch and attend this event.
APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $696,368.36. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the quotes received for the leasing of five copiers. Finance Director Merle Hollmann explained that the City sought quotes to lease five copiers; three-black & white copiers for the Police Department, the City Clerk/Human Resources Offices, and the Fire Station on 42nd Street; and two-color copiers for the City Park Office and the Public Works/Fleet Services Office. All copiers are new and not refurbished. The lease is for 60 months along with a maintenance agreement for each copier. The maintenance fee is calculated on a per copy basis. The quotes received were:
GFI Digital Inc., Mt. Vernon, IL $40,499.28
CDS Office Technologies, Marion, IL $44,281.60
Konica Minolta Business Solutions, Marion, IL $36,917.65
Executive Business Solutions, Centralia, IL $42,949.15 + Return shipping of current copiers
SumnerOne, Highland, IL $55,874.67
Hollmann and Bechtel recommended the acceptance of the five-year lease quote from GFI Digital Inc., Mt. Vernon, IL for Ricoh Copiers in the amount of $40,499.28. GFI’s quote is $3,581.63 higher than the lowest quote, but currently, the City has Ricoh Copiers and the employees are accustomed to the copiers and service department. GFI’s quote is under the budgeted amount for the copiers.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to accept the recommendation from City Staff for the five- year lease quote from GFI Digital Inc., Mt. Vernon, IL for Ricoh Copiers in the amount of $40,499.28. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Road Closure Request on July 20, 2019 from noon to 6 p.m. on 9th Street between Broadway and Jordan. The requesting party is Debbie Arning on behalf of the United Way and DMDC. Bechtel explained that this will be a fundraising event for the United Way. Food trucks, vendors, and music will be available.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Road Closure Request on July 20, 2019 from noon to 6 p.m. on 9th Street between Broadway and Jordan. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids on Engineering Services for the Resurfacing of South 12th Street from Casey Avenue to Veteran’s Memorial Drive. This project includes a new box culvert and walking bridge at 12th and Forest, and profile changes at the EVWRR Tracks. Funds for this project will come from the remaining proceeds of the Revolving Loan Fund by way of a grant. The project is estimated to cost between $500,000 and $600,000. Since the City is not charging the grant for the engineering fee, these services can be bid.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to grant permission to seek “turn-key” bids on Engineering Services for the Resurfacing of South 12th Street from Casey Avenue to Veteran’s Memorial Drive. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek quotes for Swimming Pool Vacuums. The current vacuums are in need of replacement. Assistant City Manager Nathan McKenna reported that the Aquatic Zoo’s opening was delayed for two days due to the water leak event. There has been a high number of attendees at the pool.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to seek quotes for Swimming Pool Vacuums. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David Leggans presented for Council’s consideration an Inducement Resolution for the Development of Real Estate Property by Independent Wrestlers Alliance Productions Inc. for property at 521 Perkins Avenue (former Kenneth Martin Center/Sunshine Center/Edison School). The requested Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Assistance is for property acquisition, demolition, site preparation, interior and exterior painting, interior renovations, utility repairs, and electrical repairs. If TIF Benefits are awarded, 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. Patricia Bock of IWAP spoke on the project.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Inducement Resolution for the Development of Real Estate Property by Independent Wrestlers Alliance Productions Inc. for property at 521 Perkins Avenue. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution to Enter into a Lease Agreement for Vehicles. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that two different proposals have been submitted. Ford Square submitted a 4-year lease-purchase proposal with annual payments of $359,520.11 with Ally Bank financing the project. Ford Squares total cost is $1,438,080.00. Enterprise Fleet Management submitted an open-ended 4-year lease with annual payments of $250,880.16 for a 4-year cost of $1,003,520.64 plus a residual of $418,000.00 at the end of the lease. Total cost is $1,421,520.64 if the City chooses to pay off the vehicles.
At the end of four years with Ford Square’s proposal, the City may keep the vehicles, sell vehicles to Ford Square or at auction. The City owns the vehicles throughout Ford Square’s proposal. At the end of four years with Enterprise, the City may keep the vehicles if residual is paid or sell through the Enterprise Network. The City retains 100% of equity minus $400 service fee for each vehicle.
Council Member Ray Botch asked if proposals could be changed to obtain a lower annual payment. Bechtel replied no, because it would be unfair to both companies to allow changes at this time.
Council Member Donte Moore reported that Ford Square’s APR is 5.04% with Ally Bank. Enterprise uses the 3-year T-bill rate, plus 2.5%. Currently the rate is 4.5% which will fluctuate until the transaction is completed.
Council Member Jim Rippy asked what the basic differences were. Bechtel stated that the differences include fleet management and what happens at the end of the four years. Rippy stresses the significance of shopping local.
Mayor John Lewis explained that both proposals are similar at the end of the four years, if the City wants to own the vehicles. Lewis explained that an open-ended lease was considered because the City desired a greater short-term cash flow.
Council Member Donte Moore explained that annual cost difference is $108,639.95. Moore said that over four years, the City could use this money for other projects such as water lines. He understands the importance of shopping local. Council Member Jim Rippy stated that the City will be paying for the infrastructure for many years.
Council Member Mike Young reported that the difference in the interest rates between Ford Square and Enterprise is.5%. This increases the cost by $14,500.00 per year.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that $280,000.00 is budgeted from the Home Rule Sales Tax Fund. The intention is that after the first year, the annual payment will be allocated among the various departments’ budgets. This is in an effort not to start living on the 1% Home Rule Sales Tax.
Mayor John Lewis stated that it boils down to whether the Council wants to pay 40% more for 40% more equity.
Council Member Ray Botch stated that in the past the City has purchased many vehicles from the State Surplus Program. This may be the reason it costs $564,000.00 per year in maintenance for the 41 vehicles in the proposal. Botch said that he would like to stay local but cannot justify it for an additional $108,639.95 per year.
Council Member Mike Young stated that Ford Square offers 3 years bumper-to-bumper and Enterprise offers 4 years bumper-to-bumper.
Council Member Ray Botch asked if bids could be received after proposals are accepted. City Attorney David Leggans explained that a problem is presented, if the proposals are rejected and bids are requested, because it corrupts the integrity and fairness of the bidding system.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Lease Agreement between the City of Mt. Vernon and Enterprise Fleet Management Inc. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. No: Rippy.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis presented the May 2019 City Department Activity Summary.
The Mt. Vernon Police Department handled 2,174 calls which equals to about 70 calls each and every day. 135 people were arrested during the month. There were 149 criminal charges and 35 warrants served. They also conducted 326 traffic stops resulting in 124 citations, of which 4 were for use of cellphones. 5 people were arrested for D.U.I.’s, they had 24 drug charges, responded to 121 traffic crashes, answered 96 alarms and had 136 community contacts. The Detective Division was assigned 57 new cases, cleared 3 by arrest, referred 43 cases to the States Attorney and had 2 crime scene call outs. The Tactical Unit was deployed 2 times and our K9 team had 26 deployments. There was a total of 8,343 non-emergency calls received and handled during the month of May and 2,284 emergency calls.
The Fire Department responded to 309 alarms and calls. The City Hall Station answered 170 alarms, the Airport Station answered 14 alarms, and the 42nd Street Station answered 125 alarms. Of the responses, 227 were recorded as EMS related, 15 of the responses were recorded as fire related, 1 overpressure rupture and 9 of the responses were recorded as hazard related. They responded to 4 structure fires, 3 cooking fires, 3 rubbish fires, 3 vehicle fires, 10 motor vehicle accidents, 21 false alarms, and requested and received 1 mutual aid and gave mutual aid on 2 calls. The Fire Inspection Dept. performed 6 business site inspections, 5 consultations, and 2 Plan Reviews. The Fire Prevention Division performed 10 public education events, 3 car seat installations, attended a Child Passenger Safety Renewal Class, and taught 1 Consumer Fireworks Training Course. The Fire Department also wants to remind you to please test/check your CO2 detectors each month to make sure they are working properly.
The Public Utilities Department responded to 25 water breaks, repaired or replaced 6 services, processed 206 work orders, processed 188 JULIE locates, and had 107 red letter disconnects. The South 15th Water Main Project continues with a projected completion date of 6/28. On the sewer side, they responded to 12 service calls resulting in 3 backed up sewer mains, 3 sewer mains repaired, 2 manholes repaired, 14 routine sanitary and storm mains cleaned. Smoke testing started on April 29th. Engineering and Inspection Departments conducted 47 10A inspections, 33 of those properties received occupancy certificates, there have been 142 nuisance postings, and approximately 50 were abated by the City. There were 4 properties condemned and there were 16 building permits totaling $5,359,591.
Mayor Lewis commended City employees and citizens for their help during the water crisis a week ago. The community became the City’s eyes and ears during this search for our leak and every single department was utilized during the three days, 24 hours a day, that was spent tracking this leak down. Council Member Ray Botch thanked Mayor Lewis and City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel for their leadership during the crisis. Council Member Jim Rippy agreed with Lewis that Bechtel displayed calm during the water crisis. Council Member Donte Moore thanked the businesses for providing food to the City employees and to the surrounding communities for using the water in their towers by shutting down their water meters.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Mike Young asked City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel to report on the replacement of 500 of its existing streetlights with new LED lights thanks to a grant from Ameren. Bechtel explained that the City applied to Ameren for the grant early in March and the City recently heard that Ameren will be replacing streetlights between 26th Street and First Street south of Broadway with LED bulbs. The City’s portion of the grant is $75 per light and $37,500 is budgeted.
Council Member Mike Young requested that a stop sign be installed on Harlan Road adjacent to the ballpark to deter speeders. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that it is in the works.
Council Member Ray Botch asked for an update on Lift Station 14. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel said that there is not a current update on Lift Station 14. Work on the Opdyke Water Tower will begin very soon. The former Water Treatment Plant’s demolition will begin at any time.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
No comments were heard.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No Executive Session was held.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Mike Young motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, Young, and Lewis.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
vernon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/06032019-Regular-City-Council-Meeting.pdf
Alerts Sign-up