City of Mt. Vernon City Council met May 18.
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 May 4, 2020 Public Hearing and the May 4, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting were presented for approval.
Council Member Donte Moore 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
Chad Michael, Attorney for Greg Patel, owner of Midway Liquor and Tobacco Inc. at 2516 Veterans Memorial Drive, requested that the City Council consider allowing Mr. Patel a Video Gaming License. He explained that the “grandfathered” package liquor stores are issued gaming licenses and he asked that the Council give him the same consideration. Mayor John Lewis replied that the Council is aware of the request and will discuss.
APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,844,874.64. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bids received for the 9th Street and Route 142 Concrete Ditch Project. She explained that the project will try to prevent vegetation growth and allow the water to flow faster. Four bidders submitted bids. The low bidder was T & L Contracting Inc. from Centralia, Illinois with a bid of $33,305.00. The engineer’s cost estimate was $36,345.00
Rollie Excavating $35,440.00
T & L Contracting Inc. $33,305.00
Evrard Strang $34,710.49
Guinzy Construction $39,106.19
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to award the bid to the lowest responsive responsible bidder, T & L Contracting Inc. from Centralia, Illinois with a bid of $33,305.00. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Waive Bidding Requirements for the Purchase of New Audio-Visual Equipment for the City Council Meetings. Assistant City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a $16,874.00 quote received from Midwest Music Supply from Marion, Illinois. Audio-Visual Equipment will be installed at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building to stream and broadcast the City Council Meetings.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Waive Bidding Requirements for the Purchase of New Audio-Visual Equipment for the City Council Meetings. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to accept the $16,874.00 quote from Midwest Music Supply from Marion, Illinois. Audio-Visual Equipment will be installed at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building to stream and broadcast the City Council Meetings. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested to go out for Bids for Fencing Around Opdyke Tower and Eagle Court/Vernwood Water Storage Tanks. The Illinois EPA Inspection Reports found that the City needs to install a fence around water tanks. Last year, a fence was installed around the Times Square Mall Tank. Council Member Ray Botch reported that the funds will come from this year’s Infrastructure Budget.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the seeking of Bids for Fencing Around Opdyke Tower and Eagle Court/Vernwood Water Storage Tanks. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested to go out for Bids on Two Lawnmowers. The mowers will go to the Parks Department and Inspection Weed Cutting Crew.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to go out for bid on Two Lawnmowers. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
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 30th, 2020 for a third 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 Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission for the Closure of 9th Street from Jordan to Casey, and Jordan from 10th Street to 8th Street on Saturday, May 30th, 2020. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s permission the closure of Casey Avenue from 17th Street to 19th Street on Saturday, May 30th, 2020 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Casey Middle School Drive-thru Graduation Ceremony. The closure plan was approved by Illinois Department of Health and Illinois State School Board.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission for the closure of Casey Avenue from 17th Street to 19th Street on Saturday, May 30th, 2020 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Casey Middle School Drive-thru Graduation Ceremony. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested to Delay Water Rate Increases to Village Contracts and Bulk Users. She explained that Rend Lake Water District is delaying their rates to the City for 90- days. The Council needs to approve the delay as by contract the rates are scheduled to increase May 1st. Mayor John Lewis explained that Rend Lake Water District raised their water rates by 2.5%, however the City absorbed the increase and did not pass on the rate increase to residents or businesses.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to Delay Water Rate Increases to Village Contracts and Bulk Users. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested the Cancelation of the Salute to Freedom 4th of July Fireworks. Bechtel explained that based on the current COVID-19 information and the need to let vendors and contractors know, she recommended cancelling this year’s Salute to Freedom 4th of July Fireworks. She said that it would be difficult to maintain social distancing. The City is offering on- line fireworks training for private users.
Council Member Ray Botch approved the Cancellation of the Salute to Freedom 4th of July Fireworks. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Fixing the Salaries and Benefits of Certain Employees of the City of Mt. Vernon. Bechtel explained this approves the salaries and benefits of the City’s non-union employees.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to suspend the rules on voting on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-16, an Ordinance Fixing the Salaries and Benefits of Certain Employees of the City of Mt. Vernon. 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 Local Limits for the City of Mt. Vernon Industrial Pretreatment Program. Bechtel explained that the City has been working with Veolia and the Illinois EPA regarding City’s NPDES Permit. This permit sets the local limits discharge determinations from the Sewer Treatment Plant.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Approving Local Limits for the City of Mt. Vernon Industrial Pretreatment Program. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
MAYOR
No comments were heard.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Ray Botch asked if the City will be required to pass Resolutions on the three applications for the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Grant Program. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that the Resolutions will be presented at a Special City Council Meeting on May 22, 2020.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Jennifer Carmona of Guero’s Mexican Restaurant asked if the City had any idea if they will be able to host a July 4th Block Party to celebrate America. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that currently there is a limit of fifty people, six feet apart.
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 7:36 p.m.
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