North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Feb. 18.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 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 p.m. Council Member Mike Young gave the Invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

ROLL CALL

Roll call showed present: Council Member Ray Botch, Council Member Joe Gliosci, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Donte Moore.

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journal for the February 3, 2020 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, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

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 $1,592,749.84. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

BIDS AND QUOTES

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the quotes received for a Vehicle Lift at Fleet Services. Two quotes were received and both companies met the bid specifications.

Fisher Auto Parts $14,184.81 

Source One Supply $16,998.85

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to purchase the Vehicle Lift for Fleet Services from Fisher Auto Parts in the amount of $14,184.81. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel introduced Brian Edmison to report on the Construction Bid results for the new United States Postal Service Building Project. Six contractors provided proposals each conforming to the bid requirements. The lowest bid was provided by Bevis Construction of Mt. Vernon in the amount of $895,000.00.

Bruce Unterbrink $1,097,000.00

R and W Builders $1,075,000.00

Shores Builders $902,000.00

Bevis Construction $895,000.00

Greenwalt Construction $1,005,000.00

Evrard-Strang Construction $957,800.00

Mayor John Lewis asked if there were any anticipated change orders at this point. Edmison explained that the project is straight forward and anticipates completion by August 15, 2020 on budget and on time. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that a pre-construction meeting with the Postal Service is scheduled for Thursday.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to award the project to the low bidder Bevis Construction of Mt. Vernon in the amount of $895,000.00. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Young, and Lewis. Abstain: Gliosci. Absent: Moore.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s approval the Preliminary Plat for Michel’s 2nd Subdivision located at 14471 N. Tolle Lane. The petitioners are Christopher and Pamela Michel. Bechtel explained that some detail work remains, and Final Plat approval will be presented later.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Preliminary Plat for Michel’s 2nd Subdivision located at 14471 N. Tolle Lane. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s approval the Preliminary and Final Plat for Dorothy Hale Subdivision located at 13748 E. Morton Lane. The petitioner is the Floyd Hale Trust.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Preliminary and Final Plat for Dorothy Hale Subdivision located at 13748 E. Morton Lane. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s permission to close 9th Street from Jordan Street to Casey Avenue for the Mt. Vernon Homebrewers Festival on June 6, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to grant permission to close 9th Street from Jordan Street to Casey Avenue for the Mt. Vernon Homebrewers Festival on June 6, 2020 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s permission to close various streets for the Mt. Vernon Fall Fest Events to be held September 25 and September 26, 2020. The roads to be closed are 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Jordan Street (Thursday, 9/24/2020), 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Broadway, Jordan Street from the east side of RARE Parking Lot to Johnson Alley (Friday, 9/25/2020 through Sunday, 09/27/2020) and 9th Street from Broadway to Harrison (Friday, 9/25/2020). Tourism Director Angela Schrum spoke on the Fall Fest Events.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to close various streets for the Mt. Vernon Fall Fest Events to be held September 25 and September 26, 2020. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s permission to go out to bid for Sanitary Cured-In-Place Project. Bechtel stated that this project will be planned for the Summer of 2020 when the ground is as dry as possible. The entire project consists of 2,051 linear feet from the L & N Reservoir along the creek to Optimist Park to Lift Station #1 on Maple Street. Included is the grouting of 1,665 linear feet of main and 518 linear feet of point repair.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to go out to bid for Sanitary Cured- In-Place Project. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to waive bidding requirements for a new server at the Aquatic Zoo. Bechtel explained that the City is integrating the Aquatic Zoo’s cashiering program with Tyler Technologies Encode. The current server is over seven years old. Two quotes were received:

Kunce Computer Sales $9,725.00

Dell $13,074.46

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to waive bidding requirements for a new server at the Aquatic Zoo. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to purchase the new server from Kunce Computer Sales for $9,725.00. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to seek bids on 22nd and Lamar Storm Water Improvement Project. Bechtel explained that the first half of this project was completed last year. The project consists of placing concrete in the bottom of the long ditch to improve the water movement. The final phase of this project is estimated at $60,000 with funds coming from the Quality of Life Fund.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to seek bids on 22nd and Lamar Storm Water Improvement Project. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested discussion on the 2020 Census Incentive Program. In the last census, 30% of the residents were unreported and did not respond to the census. It is extremely important to show a true and accurate representation of the citizens of the City of Mt. Vernon. When a household responds to the census on-line, the household receives a confirmation number. Bechtel proposes that if a household brings in the print-out or screen shot of the confirmation number, the City will incentivize each household with a $10 Walmart Gift Card. The funds would come from the General Corporate Account and if every household within the City limits participates, the cost would be up to $74,000.00. Each person counted will bring in $183.02 annually of direct revenue to the City of Mt. Vernon, plus numerous other agencies rely on the population count for their revenues. Council Member Joe Gliosci asked if this

incentive program had been tried in other communities. Bechtel stated that there is no history or record of success. Post cards will be mailed at the end of March for the census to begin April 1st. The census will end in July. Mayor John Lewis stated that it is estimated that Jefferson County lost over $7 million dollars due to under reporting in the last census. Bechtel explained the various ways to publicize the incentive program.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the 2020 Census Incentive Program to provide $10 per household within the City limits who complete the census. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney David Leggans presented an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of Property at 14471 and 14517 N. Tolle Lane from F-P; Flood Plain, to R-1; Low Density Residential. The petitioners are Christopher and Pamela Michel. Kyle Lansdowne of Round Table Design explained that the petitioners desire to sell the existing house and cut it out of subdivision. The reason for current zoning of Flood Plain is uncertain as FEMA does not show this location in a flood plain. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved this request. No objectors were present.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-04, an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of Property at 14471 and 14517 N. Tolle Lane from F-P; Flood Plain, to R-1; Low Density Residential. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Attorney David Leggans presented an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of Property at 2701 Casey from R-2; Medium Density Residential to B-2; Secondary Business for the purpose of opening a hair salon. The petitioners are Todd and Jennifer Green. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved this request. No objectors were present.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-05, an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of Property at 2701 Casey from R-2; Medium Density Residential to B-2; Secondary Business for the purpose of opening a hair salon. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Attorney David Leggans presented an Ordinance Approving the Rezoning of Property at 13748 E. Morton Lane from A-G; General Agriculture to R-1; Low Density Residential for a Proposed Subdivision. The petitioner is the Floyd Hale Trust. Kyle Lansdowne of Round Table Design explained that the petitioners desire to divide the existing subdivision into two lots. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved this request. No objectors were present.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-06, an Ordinance Approving

the Rezoning of Property at 13748 E. Morton Lane from A-G; General Agriculture to R-1; Low Density Residential for a Proposed Subdivision. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading an Ordinance Authorizing the Execution of Gas Pipeline and Electric Easements with Ameren. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the construction of the new Post Office requires the relocation of Ameren’s gas and electric service lines.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to suspend the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-07, an Ordinance Authorizing the Execution of Gas Pipeline and Electric Easements with Ameren. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Attorney David Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Requesting IDOT Approval for the Temporary Closure of IL 15 Westbound from Marlow Rd. (FAS 789) to Junction of IL 15 and Old Route 15 at the East Edge of Mt. Vernon for the “Salute to Freedom” Fireworks Display on July 4, 2020.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Resolution Requesting IDOT Approval for the Temporary Closure of IL 15 Westbound from Marlow Rd. (FAS 789) to Junction of IL 15 and Old Route 15 at the East Edge of Mt. Vernon for the “Salute to Freedom” Fireworks Display on July 4, 2020. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Attorney David Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution to Enter into an Agreement with PGAV Planners, LLC. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the City has three Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts and it is possible to extend the term of each district. This Agreement is to hire PGAV Planners, LLC to facilitate the extension of the terms of the three TIF Districts. The cost of the services will not exceed $20,000.00.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution to Enter into an Agreement with PGAV Planners, LLC. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis spoke on the economic impact of the 2020 Census and asked every household to complete the census.

CITY COUNCIL

Council Member Joe Gliosci sent his condolences to the Mt. Vernon Police Department for the loss of one of the K-9 dogs.

Council Member Mike Young commended City employees on their work on the Park Lake Island. The area looks cleaner.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

No comments were heard.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

No Executive Session was held.

ADJOURNMENT

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

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