City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Aug. 5.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor John Lewis called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Pastor Randy Steele from the Southwest Christian 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, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Mike Young.
PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS
The Journals for the July 15, 2019 Regular City Council Meeting and July 26, 2019 Workshop Meeting were presented for approval.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Journals as presented. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Jason Wheeler requested zoning information on the opening of an Air B & B in the downtown area. He owns a small single-story downtown building. Parking would not be affected because the guests would check in after 3 p.m. and out by 10 a.m. the next day. Mayor John Lewis stated that City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel would look into this matter.
APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,216,600.22. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bid results for the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building Outside Painting Project. One bid was received from Men in White Painting, LLC for $17,645.00.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to award the bid to Men in White Painting, LLC for the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building Outside Painting Project in the amount of $17,645.00. Seconded by Council Member Jim Rippy. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bid results for the Engineering Design of South 26th Street Reconstruction and the Forest Avenue Box Culvert. Five bids were received. City Engineer Brad Ruble reviewed the bids and recommended awarding the project to the lowest responsive responsible bidder, Milano and Grunloh Engineers, LLC in the amount of $80,097.64.
Round Table Design Mt. Vernon, IL $96,000.00
Chastain & Associates Benton, IL $90,000.00
Rhutasel & Associates Salem, IL $85,000.00
Milano & Grunloh Engineers Effingham, IL $80,097.64
Heneghan & Associates Jerseyville, IL $125,000.00
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to award the Engineering Design of South 26th Street Reconstruction and the Forest Avenue Box Culvert to Milano and Grunloh Engineers, LLC in the amount of $80,097.64. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bid results for the Engineering Design of the South 44th Street Extension from the Grille Restaurant to Forest Avenue to Veteran’s Memorial Drive. Five bids were received. City Engineer Brad Ruble reviewed the bids and recommended awarding the project to the lowest responsive responsible bidder, Chastain & Associates, LLC in the amount of $360,530.00. The City Engineer’s estimate was $500,000.00.
Chastain & Associates Benton, IL $360,530.00
Rhutasel & Associates Salem, IL $438,000.00
Milano & Grunloh Engineers Effingham, IL $371,010.11
Heneghan & Associates Jerseyville, IL $604,000.00
Hutchison Engineering, Inc. Jacksonville, IL $426,000.00
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to award the Engineering Design of the South 44th Street Extension from the Grille Restaurant to Forest Avenue to Veteran’s Memorial Drive to Chastain & Associates, LLC in the amount of $360,530.00. Seconded by Council Member Jim Rippy. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bid results for the Casey Middle School Pedestrian Overpass Painting and Handrail Replacement Project. One bid was received from Thomas Industrial Coatings in the amount of $243,315.00. The City Engineer’s estimate was $300,000.00. Bechtel explained that this project was previously bid, but no bids were received. The specifications were changed to give bidders plenty of time to work the job into their schedules. The project will begin at the end of the 2019-20 School Year and be completed before the start of the next school year. The bridge will be completely closed, and traffic controlled during the project.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to award the Casey Middle School Pedestrian Overpass Painting and Handrail Replacement Project to Thomas Industrial Coatings in the amount of $243,315.00. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bid results for the Klein Field Parking Lot Paving Project. Three bids were received. City Engineer Brad Ruble reviewed the bids and recommended awarding the project to the lowest responsive responsible bidder, Jax Asphalt Company in the amount of $108,376.43. The City Engineer’s estimate was $150,000.00. The project will be completed before next fall.
Stutz Excavating, Inc. Alton, IL $111,075.23
Jax Asphalt Mt. Vernon, IL $108,136.43
Rooters American Maintenance Beckemeyer, IL $130,097.33
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to award the Klein Field Parking Lot Paving Project to Jax Asphalt Company in the amount of $108,376.43. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a request to close Lamar Avenue from 18th Street and 20th Street, and 19th Street between Logan and Conger Avenues for a neighborhood block party on Saturday, August 10th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Linola Spann stated that this is the fourth year for the Backpack Giveaway Party and over 870 backpacks will be given away. Residents on or near the streets acknowledged their approval of the closing.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to approve the request to close Lamar Avenue from 18th Street and 20th Street, and 19th Street between Logan and Conger Avenues for a neighborhood block party on Saturday, August 10th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids for the Mannen Street Storm Sewer Replacement Project. This project is part of the City’s overall storm water management program.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to approve the request to seek bids for the Mannen Street Storm Sewer Replacement Project. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids for the 2800 Block of Cherry Street Storm Sewer Project. This project is part of the City’s overall storm water management program.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to approve the request to seek bids for the 2800 Block of Cherry Street Storm Sewer Project. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids for the 17th Street and College Avenue Storm Sewer Project. This project is part of the City’s overall storm water management program.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the request to seek bids for the 17th Street and College Avenue Storm Sewer Project. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids for a Security Fence around the Times Square Mall Water Tower. Bechtel explained that the IEPA requires the fence and it is needed to ensure against vandalism. Council Member Jim Rippy asked for the fence height. Bechtel stated six feet, but she would have Jonathan Younger determine if the fence needs be eight feet high.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the request to seek bids for a Security Fence around the Times Square Mall Water Tower. Seconded by Council Member Jim Rippy. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids on Two Dump Trucks for the Public Utilities Department. This is part of the City’s Fleet Improvement Program.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the request to seek bids for Two Dump Trucks for the Public Utilities Department. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids on a Hydro-Digger for the Public Utilities Department. The estimated cost is $150,000.00.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to approve the request to seek bids for a Hydro-Digger for the Public Utilities Department. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids on the Revolving Loan Fund CDAP Water Line Replacement Project. This project consists of approximately 24,000 lineal feet of replacement water line. The 12th Street water line will be the first to be replaced.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the request to seek bids for the Revolving Loan Fund CDAP Water Line Replacement Project. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids on the Potomac Boulevard to Davidson Avenue Connector Road Engineering Project. This project will connect Potomac Boulevard with Davidson Avenue to help with traffic congestion.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the request to seek bids for the Potomac Boulevard to Davidson Avenue Connector Road Engineering Project. Seconded by Council Member Jim Rippy. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids for a Vehicle Lift for the Fleet Services Department.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the request to seek bids for a Vehicle Lift for the Fleet Services Department. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids for the Replacement of Concrete at Fire Station #4 on 42nd Street. The engineering will be completed in-house.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to approve the request to seek bids for the Replacement of Concrete at Fire Station #4. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David Leggans presented for Council’s approval an Ordinance for the Tax Increment Redevelopment Agreement for Real Estate Property by Easton’s Flowers located at 229 S. 10th Street. The requested Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Assistance is for exterior renovation including the replacement of damaged siding, replacement of existing awning, addition of two awnings on the south side and the repainting of the entire building. The Grant amount shall not exceed $5,041.88 payable from the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Proceeds. The total estimated project cost is $11,157.43.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2019-28, an Ordinance for the Tax Increment Redevelopment Agreement for Real Estate Property by Easton’s Flowers located at 229 S. 10th Street. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for Council’s approval an Ordinance for the Tax Increment Redevelopment Agreement for Real Estate Property located at 800 Broadway Street (former Moose Lodge). The petitioner is Jason Wheeler. The requested Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Assistance is to clean and regrade parking lot, install new windows and doors on upper level, build out new office space, upgrade HVAC, install five new bathrooms, and install new electrical for offices. The Grant amount shall not exceed $139,933.50 payable over the next ten years in installments of $13,933.05 per year. The total estimated project cost is $284,561.00. The Downtown TIF Advisory Board unanimously approved this request.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2019-29, an Ordinance for the Tax Increment Redevelopment Agreement for Real Estate Property located at 800 Broadway Street (former Moose Lodge). Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for Council’s approval an Ordinance for the Tax Increment Redevelopment Agreement for Real Estate Property located at 1307 Main Street. The petitioners are Dr. Thomas and Michelle Nolan. The requested Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Assistance is for exterior painting and brick repair, plumbing improvements, flooring installation, and painting and ceiling repair. The Grant amount shall not exceed $11,630.00 payable from the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Proceeds. The total estimated project cost is $23,260.00. The Downtown TIF Advisory Board voted 3 to 2 to approve this request.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2019-30, an Ordinance for the Tax Increment Redevelopment Agreement for Real Estate Property located at 1307 Main Street. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for Council’s approval an Ordinance for the Tax Increment Redevelopment Agreement for Real Estate Property located at 521 Perkins Avenue (former Kenneth Martin Center/Sunshine Center/Edison School). The petitioners are John and Patricia Bach dba Independent Wrestlers Alliance (IWA) Productions Inc. 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. The Grant amount shall not exceed $17,250.00 payable from the 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Proceeds. The total estimated project cost is $34,500.00.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2019-31, an Ordinance for the Tax Increment Redevelopment Agreement for Real Estate Property located at 521 Perkins Avenue (former Kenneth Martin Center/Sunshine Center/Edison School). Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading an Ordinance Amending Article 9, Fire Prevention and Safety, of the Revised Code of Ordinances by adding a new section, Section 9.16 “Assessment and Recovery of Third-Party Expenses”. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that if the Fire Department obtains services of independent or third-party contractor, the proposed Ordinance allows the expenses to be the liability of the owners of the property for which the Fire services were provided. Recently, the City had two large fires which needed the assistance from a non-Fire Department third-party provider. Without the proposed Ordinance, the City is liable to pay the costs.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to suspend the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2019-32, an Ordinance Amending Article 9, Fire Prevention and Safety, of the Revised Code of Ordinances by adding a new section, Section 9.16 “Assessment and Recovery of Third-Party Expenses”. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading an Ordinance declaring Surplus Municipal Property. The surplus properties include ten bicycles, miscellaneous jewelry rings and the City-wide old Toshiba Phone System. Council Member Ray Botch asked how the bicycles are disposed of. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that one local bicycle shop is willing to renovate the bicycles and donate them to the needy. Bechtel stated that the City has over 100 surplus bicycles and reminded the public to register their bicycles with the Police Department to assist in the return of the bicycle to its owner.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to suspend the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2019-33, an Ordinance declaring Surplus Municipal Property. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading an Ordinance Amending Article 11, Section 11.17, Raffles and Poker Runs. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the State of Illinois recently amended the State Statutes, the proposed Ordinance aligns the City Ordinance with the State’s rules.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to suspend the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2019-34, an Ordinance Amending Article 11, Section 11.17, Raffles and Poker Runs. Seconded by Council Member Jim Rippy. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for Council’s approval a Resolution approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Department of Veterans Affairs VA Police Service, Marion VA Healthcare System, and the Mt. Vernon, Illinois Police Department. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the Mt. Vernon Police Department has concurrent jurisdiction with the Federal Government of the Mt. Vernon Based Outpatient Clinic and surrounding parking lots. This Resolution grants the local police the authority to jointly enforce Federal and State Laws with the Veterans Affairs Police on the Marion VA Health Care System.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Resolution approving a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States Department of Veterans Affairs VA Police Service, Marion VA Healthcare System, and the Mt. Vernon, Illinois Police Department. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis presented for the advice and consent of the City Council, the Appointment of Angela Moore to the City Housing Authority Board. Council Member Donte Moore thanked Brittany Maurer for her service on the City Housing Authority Board.
Council Member Jim Rippy motioned to appoint Angela Moore to the City Housing Authority Board. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Rippy, and Lewis. Abstain: Moore. Absent: Young.
Mayor John Lewis introduced Police Chief Trent Page to present the awards for Distinguished Service to Officer Travis Pendley and Officer Sara Peas. This award was for their efforts in assisting residents
at the Short Street Apartment Complex during a fire on June 13, 2019. The officers endured heavy smoke while they assisted the special needs residents to a safe outside area. Council Member Donte Moore stated that an elderly blind lady expressed her appreciation to him. Council Member Jim Rippy stated he is very impressed with how much the Police Department cares for the citizens. Mayor John Lewis stated that the City’s Police and Fire Departments are first rate.
Mayor John Lewis presented the July 2019 City Department Activity Summary.
Mt. Vernon Police Department handled 2,394 calls which equals to about 77 calls each and every day. 134 people were arrested during the month. There were 122 criminal charges, 30 drug charges and 28 warrants served. They also conducted 432 traffic stops, resulting in 177 citations, of which 7 were for use of cellphones. 15 people were arrested for D.U.I., responded to 85 traffic crashes, answered 104 alarms and had 167 community contacts. The Detective Division was assigned 83 new cases, cleared 3 by arrest, referred 17 cases to the States Attorney and had 4 crime scene call-outs. The Tactical Unit was deployed 1 time and our K9 team had 34 deployments. There was a total of 8,032 non-emergency calls received and handled during the month of July and 2,123 emergency calls.
Fire Department responded to 317 alarms and calls. The City Hall Station answered 181 alarms, the Airport Station answered 25 alarms, and the 42nd Street Station answered 111 alarms. Of the responses, 213 were recorded as EMS related, 15 of the responses were recorded as fire related, and 25 of the responses were recorded as hazard related. They responded to 3 structure fires, 1 rubbish fire, 2 vehicle fires, 6 trash fires, 14 motor vehicle crashes with injuries, 1 motor vehicle pedestrian accident, 12 power lines down, 13 false alarms, and was requested and received 1 mutual aid and gave mutual aid on 1 call. The Fire Inspection Dept. performed 7 business site inspections, 4 consultations and 2 Plan Reviews. The Fire Prevention Division performed 3 public education events, 1 car seat installation, taught CPR classes to the telecommunicators, and 3 Advanced Cardiac Life Support Training classes were given. As we move into August, the Fire Department would like to remind everyone that it is back to school month and with that, there will be children back out and about heading to school. Please remember to yield to buses and be extra vigilant of children that are walking to school.
Public Utilities Department responded to 14 water breaks, repaired or replaced 49 services, processed 262 work orders, processed 162 JULIE locates and had 80 red letter disconnects. On the sewer side, they responded to 6 service calls, resulting in 12 backed up sewer mains, 3 sewer mains repaired, 18 routine sanitary and storm mains cleaned and or televised, resulting in 3,608 linear feet of sanitary sewer main cleaned and 875 linear feet of sanitary sewer televised and spent 46 hours hydro digging.
Engineering and Inspection Department. They conducted 76 10A Inspections, 49 properties received occupancy certificates, there have been 86 nuisance postings and approximately 23 were abated by the City.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Jim Rippy praised the City employees for their work on the current 70 to 80 projects. He suggested sharing the status of the projects publicly.
Council Member Jim Rippy asked if the trend regarding the new water meters has been established. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that there have been many variables and estimated that it will take one year to determine a trend.
Council Member Jim Rippy stated that the City Park Lake looks nice. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that the contractor will return to finish the project by installing the sediment dam on the northwest side of the Lake.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
No comments were heard.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No Executive Session was held.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Jim Rippy. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Rippy, and Lewis. Absent: Young.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
http://www.mtvernon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/08052019-Regular-City-Council-Meeting.pdf
Alerts Sign-up