Mt. Vernon City Council met Sept. 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting 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 7:00 pm.
Pastor Harold Quick from the West Salem Trinity 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 Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Jim Rippy.
PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS
The Journal for the September 3, 2019 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Journal as presented. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy
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 Mike Young motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,612,353.67. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bid results for the Design of a Connector Road between Potomac Blvd. and Davidson Ave. Five (5) proposals were submitted. Staff recommends awarding the project to the low bidder, Rhutasel and Associates Inc. for $48,000.00. Bechtel stated that the City has the right-of-way in this area. The road is north of Buffalo Wild Wings and south of Rend Lake Marketplace.
Rhutasel and Associates Inc. Salem, IL $48,000.00
Round Table Design Mt. Vernon, IL $57,960.00
Chastain and Associates Benton, IL $54,000.00
Milano and Grunloh Engineers Effingham, IL $57,270.72
HMG Engineers Breese, IL $52,799.00
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to award the bid to the low bidder, Rhutasel and Associates Inc. for $48,000.00. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bid results for the Municipal West Building Door Replacement. One bid was received from Bevis Construction in the amount of $12,200.00.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to award the bid to Bevis Construction for $12,200.00. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested approval of the Subdivision Preliminary and Final Plat for Property Located at 10586 N. Spring Garden Lane. The petitioning party is Larry and Sandra Poston. Bechtel reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved this request.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Subdivision Preliminary and Final Plat for Property Located at 10586 N. Spring Garden Lane. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested approval of the Assignment of a Miller Lake Lease Agreement from Darrell Hall and Summer Hall to Darvin W. Martin and Cassidy A. Martin.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Assignment of a Miller Lake Lease Agreement from Darrell Hall and Summer Hall to Darvin W. Martin and Cassidy A. Martin. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
CITY ATTORNEY
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of Property Located at 1005 S. 13th Street from I-1 Light Industrial to RM-2 Medium Density Residential and Mobile Home. The petitioning party is Margaret and Eric Bird. Bechtel reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved this request.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve Ordinance #2019-36, an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of Property Located at 1005 S. 13th Street from I-1 Light Industrial to RM-2 Medium Density Residential and Mobile Home. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented an Ordinance Approving the Conditional Use as a Home Daycare for property located at 1511 Sunset. The petitioning party is Tammy Pate. Bechtel reported that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved this request.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve Ordinance #2019-37, an Ordinance Approving the Conditional Use as a Home Daycare for property Located at 1511 Sunset. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for First Reading an Ordinance Authorizing the Disposition of Surplus Municipal Property. The property consists of nine (9) Rock River Arms Rifle Hard Cases and eighty- five (85) firearms. The property will be transferred to Kiesler Police Supply in exchange for equipment to be utilized by the Mt. Vernon Police Department.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to suspend the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve, Ordinance #2019-38, an Ordinance Authorizing the Disposition of Surplus Municipal Property. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for First Reading an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Real Property. The Real Estate Purchase Agreement is between the City and Jesse Callahan. The property is described as: Lot 29 in Rackaway & Emmerson’s 2nd Addition to the City of Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois, commonly known as 118 Lou, Mt. Vernon, Illinois and having PIN 07-32-277- 003. The full purchase price for the property is (i) the agreement of Callahan to demolish the dangerous mobile home structure situated upon the real estate and to remove all debris therefrom in accordance with the provision of the Agreement within 90 days from date of Agreement, and (ii) the covenants and promises of Callahan within the Real Estate Agreement.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to suspend the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve, Ordinance #2019-39, an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Real Property. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis reported that progress on the new Post Office continues. It is scheduled to be open mid-2020.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Ray Botch presented an update on the Public Utilities Committee.
“The Utilities Committee has been in operation since May 2017. Our mission is to upgrade our aging, deteriorating water and sewer infrastructure. This Report will cover the three areas: 1. Accomplishments, 2. Work in Progress and 3. Projects in the Pipeline.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Initially, the Public Utilities Committee members had their own ideas on “ What Should Be Done.” After lengthy discussions it was agreed that a number of studies and surveys were needed as background. The Committee developed a Long-Range Plan of Action.
A Water Modeling Study was conducted to improve the operations and prioritize our needs. Recommendations included the need for a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA) to monitor, regulate and balance water flow, storage tank levels, and pipe pressure.
The study also determined that the 1st priority should be the renovation of the Vernwood Tank instead of the Opdyke Tank. The Vernwood Tank has been reconstructed including two new high-speed pumps.
Over the years, the City has had 18% to 22% of unbilled water. We authorized an Acoustic Leak Survey to find any undetected underground leaks. No unknown leaks were found. This led to the conclusion that we needed to replace our aged water meters. We purchased 6,700 Kamstrup water meters. They have been in operation since May.
Sewer Surveys were conducted for Summerville, Midtown, and the sewer plant inlet pipes. The contractors clean, televise, rate, and prepare an improvement plan including costs. An interesting finding showed the majority of sewer mains can be relined rather than replaced saving the City Millions of Dollars.
Our Public Works Director developed a Yearly Main Replacement Program to replace 219,340 lineal feet of water main.
WORK IN PROGRESS
A number of projects are underway. The Opdyke Tower renovation is nearing completion. We secured a low interest rate loan from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA). Good news, IEPA has forgiven 75% of the loan.
Currently the Lift Station #14/Force Main loan has been submitted. IEPA is awaiting additional financial information from the City before approving the loan.
The contractor has begun the northeast Mt. Vernon sewer study. This includes the Optimist Park and Maple Street Lift Station area. This is the third study done by the City. We still have an additional three areas to complete.
Recently, a Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) sewer relining for Lake Shore Drive was awarded.
Phase #1 of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) replacing 23,316 lineal feet of water mains has been let. 12th Street is included.
Engineering for the 2020 and 2021 replacement of 53,265 linear feet of water main project is being prepared for an IEPA loan. The 2020, 2021 and the CDBG water mains will replace pipes that have had 1,140 leaks since 2005.
The City recently let an engineering contract to replace the four Inlet pipes at the sewer treatment plant, improve the Maple Street Lift Station, and upgrade the Midtown sewers. Also, as part of the contract a loan application to IEPA will be done.
PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE
A Water Modeling Study update to add 10 district meters to monitor water flow, identify and regulate leaks through our SCADA System. This will eliminate the problem we experienced this past Summer. The Study will also include possible locations for a 500,000-gallon storage tank west of I-57 and south of Broadway.
Other projects in the Pipeline include three additional Sewer Surveys, replacing the L/N Storage Tank, yearly IEPA applications for Water and Sewer Improvements.
It is amazing to see HOW FAR WE’VE COME thanks to the dedicated, hard work of the Committee and Staff.”
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, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Rippy.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
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