City of Mt. Vernon City Council met May 4.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Mt. Vernon City Council met for a Regular City Council Meeting in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois via teleconference due to the Covid-19 quarantine.
Mayor John Lewis called the meeting to order.
Council Member Mike Young gave the Invocation via teleconference.
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 Journals for the April 20, 2020 Public Hearing and the April 20, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting were presented for approval.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Journals as presented. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. 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 Ray Botch questioned the payment of $21,233.99 to the Illinois EPA Loan for principal and interest on Lift Station 15. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that several years ago Lift Station 15 was approved, and the funds were provided by an IEPA Loan.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,226,200.35. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
BIDS AND QUOTES
No bids and quotes were presented.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s permission the closure of 9th Street from Jordan to Casey, and Jordan from 10th Street to 8th Street on Saturday, May 9th, 2020 for a second Mobile Food Market provided by the United Way and University of Illinois Extension. The organizations along with Cusumano & Sons are helping the community by providing fresh vegetables. Council Member Donte Moore recommended that citizens arrive early because the last give away ended within an hour. Bechtel reported that 750 boxes of produce will be given away on May 9, 2020.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to close 9th Street from Jordan to Casey, and Jordan from 10th Street to 8th Street on Saturday, May 9th, 2020 for a Mobile Food Market. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel asked for Council’s permission to go out for bid on the Storm Sewer Project for the 2800 Block of Cherry. The estimated cost is $30,000. It is budgeted in the Quality of Life Fund.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to go out for bid on the Storm Sewer Project for the 2800 Block of Cherry. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Second Reading an Ordinance Approving the Sewer Rate Increase. The proposed 5% increase in Sewer Operating Rates will be effective on the first day of the month sixty (60) days after the expiration of the Governor’s restrictions. Bechtel explained that even with the 5% increase, it does not reconcile the account, but only reduces the deficit. One comment was received against the rate increase.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-14, an Ordinance Approving the Sewer Rate Increase. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading an Ordinance Declaring Surplus Municipal Property. The property is twenty-two empty lots which the City demolished structures on the lots. The City owns 115 empty lots.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to suspend the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-15, an Ordinance Declaring Surplus Municipal Property. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving a Service Agreement for Website Design, Development, Maintenance, and Hosting between the City of Mt. Vernon and Louder Designs Inc. Louder Designs currently maintains the City and Tourism website. Bechtel reported that the City is looking into reviving the Build Mt. Vernon website. She stressed the importance of good websites for marketing and in-house use. The initial cost is $6,000 and an annual fee of $900 for maintenance.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Resolution Approving a Service Agreement for Website Design, Development, Maintenance, and Hosting between the City of Mt. Vernon and Louder Designs Inc. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Geo’s Lounge Incorporated’s Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Resolution Approving Geo’s Lounge Incorporated’s Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Green Hills Golf Club Inc.’s Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Approving Green Hills Golf Club Inc.’s Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Off-Broadway Dry Cleaners’ Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Approving Off-Broadway Dry Cleaners’ Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Parkway Shoe Repair Service’s Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Resolution Approving Parkway Shoe Repair Service’s Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving RARE Chop House’s Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Resolution Approving RARE Chop House’s Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving The Waffle Company’s Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Resolution Approving The Waffle Company’s Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Block Grant Program Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis presented for the Council’s advice and consent the Reappointment of Joe Wilks to the Mt. Vernon Housing Authority Board.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Reappointment of Joe Wilks to the Mt. Vernon Housing Authority Board. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
Mayor John Lewis reported on the April 2020 statistics from the various City Departments.
The Mt. Vernon Police Department handled 1,344 calls which equals to about 45 calls each and every day. 42 people were arrested during the month. There were 54 criminal charges, 13 drug charges, and 10 warrants served. They also conducted 132 traffic stops resulting in 39 citations. 2 people were arrested for D.U.I., responded to 70 traffic crashes, answered 91 alarms and had 58 community contacts. The Detective Division was assigned 33 new cases, referred 65 cases to the States Attorney, and cleared 3 cases by arrest. The Tactical Unit was deployed 4 times, our K9 team had 12 deployments, and there were 2 crime scene callouts.
The Fire Department responded to 291 alarms and calls. The City Hall Station answered 136 alarms, the Airport Station answered 18 alarms, and the 42nd Street Station answered 137 alarms. Of the responses, 202 were recorded as EMS related, 18 of the responses were recorded as fire related, and 5 of the responses were recorded as hazard related. They responded to 6 structure fires, 8 rubbish fires, 1 road freight fire, 1 natural vegetation fire, 1 woods fire, 1 dumpster fire, 2 motor vehicle crashes with injuries, 16 false alarms, and was requested and received 3 mutual aid and gave mutual aid on 2 calls. The Fire Inspection Dept. performed 4 business site inspections, 2 consultations and 2 plan reviews. The Fire Prevention Division performed 2 car seat inspections. The Fire Department reminds everyone as summer approaches, we will see more bicyclists and motorcyclists out and around. May is Motorcycle and Bicycle Safety Month. We ask that motorists pay attention to both cyclist groups and make sure that you are aware of the size and visibility of riders. Also, it is a good idea to know how to anticipate and respond to both rider groups. By raising motorist’s awareness, both drivers and riders will be safer sharing the road. Our Public Utilities Department responded to 7 water breaks, repaired or replaced 46 services, processed 113 work orders, processed 202 JULIE locates, completed 5 site restorations, flushed 10 hydrants, replaced 2 fire hydrants, conducted 3 water quality tests, 450 linear feet of water main was installed, and (due to COVID-19) had 0 red letter disconnects. On the sewer side, they responded to 7 service calls resulting in 7 backed up sewer mains, 32 routine sanitary and storm mains cleaned and or televised resulting in 6,128 linear feet of sanitary sewer main cleaned and 2,500 linear feet of sanitary sewer televised, 1 manhole was replaced, 4 mains repaired, repaired 2 laterals, treated 25 mains, and 10 manholes were lined. 35 linear feet of sewer main was installed and 5 mains were dye tested.
Engineering and Inspection Department. They conducted zero 10A Inspections due to COVID-19 and there have been 135 nuisance postings. There were 6 properties condemned and there were 12 building permits totaling $6,703,219.
CITY COUNCIL
No comments were heard.
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 Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
http://www.mtvernon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/05042020-Regular-City-Council-Meeting.pdf
Alerts Sign-up