City of Mt. Vernon City Council met March 16.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, March 16, 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 Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.
PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS
The Journal for the March 02, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Journal as presented. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
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 Donte Moore motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,301,363.09. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel reported on the bids received on a cold planer for the Public Works Department. Two bids were received, and both met or exceeded the specifications. Bechtel recommended that the bid be awarded to the lowest responsive responsible bidder, United Rentals for $14,225.00.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to award the bid to the lowest responsive responsible bidder, United Rentals for $14,225.00. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s approval the Preliminary and Final Plat for Mack’s Subdivision located at 601 N. 18th Street. The petitioning party is Shores Builders. The Planning and Zoning Commission approved this request.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Preliminary and Final Plat for Mack’s Subdivision located at 601 N. 18th Street. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David Leggans presented an Ordinance approving the Rezoning of Property at 601 N. 18th Street from R-3, High Density Residential District to R-1, Low Density Residential District. The petitioning party is Shores Builders.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-09, an Ordinance approving the Rezoning of Property at 601 N. 18th Street from R-3, High Density Residential District to R- 1, Low Density Residential District. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading, an Ordinance Authorizing the Ceding of Private Activity Bonding Authority to the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority (SIEDA). City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel reported that the City has ceded their Private Activity Bonding Authority to SIEDA many times to keep the authority in Southern Illinois.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to suspend the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-10, an Ordinance Authorizing the Ceding of Private Activity Bonding Authority to the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority (SIEDA). Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading, an Ordinance Amending Article 21, Section 21-124 “Definitions and Illustrations” and Article 21, Section 21-300 “Schedule of District Regulations” of the Revised Code of Ordinances regarding Cannabis. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this amendment allows for a cultivation center, craft grower, processing organization, infuser organization, dispensing organization, or transporting organization as a Conditional Use in Industrial or Agricultural Zones. Cannabis Business Establishment does not include cannabis café or cannabis lounge or any business having on-site consumption of any cannabis product with the zoning jurisdiction of the City of Mt. Vernon. The organization must be 1,500 feet distance between each use and 350 feet distance from any church, daycare or pre- school facility, primary or secondary school, or residential care home or property zoned residential or used for residential purposes.
First Reading was Held.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis read a statement regarding the COVID-19 situation.
As the State of Illinois responds to the Coronavirus — COVID-19 outbreak, officials of the City of Mt. Vernon and County of Jefferson, public and private sectors, are engaged in planning and preparedness with all aspects of this situation. We would like to assure the public that all recommended precautions are being taken to protect our citizens. Over the past two weeks, the City has been monitoring the COVID-19 Virus situation and participating in local meetings and teleconferences with Mt. Vernon Emergency Management, Jefferson County Emergency Management, Jefferson County Health Department, Jefferson County Board Office, Crossroads Community Hospital, SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital, and the State of Illinois. The emergency plans for the City and County are established procedures for responding to a pandemic. Please keep in mind that the guidelines will change daily.
In consideration of the latest actions of the State of Illinois, the City is taking the following precautions regarding COVID-19:
• Beginning Tuesday, March 17, and until April 1, City Hall will be closed to the public.
• Water bills can be paid by using the drop boxes located in the City Hall parking lot and the box next to the mailboxes in front of Hughey Funeral Home on Main Street. Water customers may also pay their bills through the City of Mt. Vernon’s website http://www.mtvernon.com-Pay My Water Bill or by mail.
• Building permits, licenses, hotel/motel tax payments, food and beverage tax payments can be submitted by mail along with their plans, permit applications and the fees, license applications and fees and tax returns and remittances to the City at PO Box 1708, 1100 Main St., Mt. Vernon, IL 62864.
• Phone numbers of the departments will be posted on City Hall doors and staff will be available to take calls and respond to email. All employees will be reporting to work.
• The Rolland W. Lewis Building will be closing starting March 18th to public meetings until April 1st. The only exception —District 80 will use the facility from noon to 12:25 p.m. as a lunch distribution site for its students. We have NOT closed the open spaces of any park including Veterans, Lincoln, Dawson, and Jamison at this time.
• The Municipal Building West will be closed until April 1st. All meetings will be cancelled until April 1st. Tourism Office staff will still be available to answer calls and emails.
• Anyone who has completed their Census online and qualifies for the $10.00 Incentive should keep their confirmation number or saved confirmation number until City Hall has reopened to the public.
• We are suspending 10-A Inspections (rental property inspections) until further notice. However, nuisance enforcement (code enforcement for junk, grass, debris, etc. will remain in effect.) Concerned citizens can call the Engineering Department to report a nuisance violation.
• All employees will still be coming into work until further notice.
There are several ways to stay informed on the status of this situation. The Illinois Department of Public Health website at www.dph.illinois.gov, the Jefferson County Health Department Facebook page, the City of Mt. Vernon Facebook page, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website, and the World Health Organization website. Illinois Governor Pritzker holds a press conference at 2:30 p.m. daily through his Facebook page. Governor J. B. Pritzker is to update the public on the status in Illinois.
There have been no positive COVID-19 cases identified in Jefferson County. Both hospitals have been authorized to administer COVID-19 testing to individuals that meet the testing criteria. The Jefferson County Health Department, SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital Mt. Vernon, and Crossroads Community, along with local and state emergency agencies are in constant communication with each other. You may see first responders taking protective measures on respiratory patients by wearing gloves, gowns, mask and eye protection when dealing with patients.
The COVID-19 situation is changing quickly. These actions are being implemented at this time and please know there could be changes at any time. Please stay informed, most importantly, wash your hands and practice social distancing.
There is no shortage of food or toilet paper except for the items hoarded by some people.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Donte Moore announced the School District 80 distribution sites for its students to receive pre-packaged lunches provided by the district. Meals will be available from 11 a.m. to 11:25 a.m. at the Mays Manor Rec Room at 100 S. Ninth St. and at Central Christian Church at 301 N. 10th St.; from 11:30 to 11:55 a.m. at Casey Middle School, 1829 Broadway and at Sugar Camp Baptist Church, 601 S. 21st St.; from noon to 12:25 p.m. at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veteran’s Park and at Willow Springs Apartments, 4100 Willow Springs; and from 12:30 to 12:55 p.m. at Chesterfield Village Apartments, 4201 Valley Forge Rd., and Garden Glen Apartments, 1407 S. 34th St.
Council Member Joe Gliosci stated that in this time of crisis and uncertainty, the community and nation should pull together. We have always come out stronger, unified, and better prepared for the future. He asked that everyone use good judgement, have faith, open your hearts to those in need, and always be positive.
Council Member Ray Botch asked in levity, that the City Council declare that Kansas’ number one ranked basketball team be designated as national champion. Council Member Mike Young seconded. No vote.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
No comments were heard.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:22 p.m., City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested an Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (6) – The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2 (c) (6), – The setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
At 7:32 p.m., Mayor John Lewis reconvened the Regular City Council Meeting.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Ray Botch, Council Member Joe Gliosci, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:33 p.m.
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