Mt. Vernon City Council met June 15.
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.
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 June 1, 2020 Public Hearing and the June 1, 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
Patty Bach and Tammy Endsley asked how they could obtain a liquor license for their Wrestling Event Center and Restaurant at 521 Perkins. They would like one license for both the event area and the restaurant, but they are in two separate buildings and City Ordinance requires that each location have a license. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained a new license type needs to be created. Mayor John Lewis explained that a lot of research on creating a new license type is needed and issuing more than one license per business is not allowed. Council Member Donte Moore stated that he would like to see a better business plan and suggested that they invite the Council to tour their facilities.
PPROVAL 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 $1,066,713,28. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the Bid Results for the Street Maintenance Materials. These are materials to be used on the 2020 Street Maintenance Program performed by City crews and financed by MFT Funds. One bidder, Jax Asphalt, provided a bid. Their total bid is $371,094.10 and the Engineer’s estimate was $372,593.80.
| Group # | Engineer’s Est. | Low Bid | Bidder |
| Group 1 | $59,263.90 | $58,404.90 | Jax Asphalt |
| Group 2 | $24,500.00 | $24,000.00 | Jax Asphalt |
| Group 3 | $6,360.00 | $6,360.00 | Jax Asphalt |
| Group 4 | $282,469.90 | $282,329.20 | Jax Asphalt |
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the Bid Results for the 2800 Block of Cherry Storm Sewer Project. Three (3) bidders supplied bids for the project. The low bidder was J.K. Trotter & Sons Inc. from Mt. Vernon, Illinois with a bid of $59,505.84. The cost estimate for the project was $72,056.00.
| J.K. Trotter & Sons | Mt. Vernon, IL | $59,505.84 |
| KRB Construction | Trenton, IL | $64,485.00 |
| Haier Plumbing | Okawville, IL | $81,715.00 |
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, June 27th, 2020 for a 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, June 27th, 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 9th Street from Bell to Forest on Sundays in June, July, and August 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Outdoor Church Services at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church due to the Covid-19 Virus. The request was made by Deacon Horton Petties.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission for the Closure of 9th Street from Bell to Forest on Sundays in June, July, and August 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Outdoor Church Services at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested Council’s permission to Request Bids on the Woodland Drive Sanitary Sewer. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this is a relocation of sanitary sewer line in Fountain Place Industrial Park for the Jung Trucking Project. This is a budgeted item in the infrastructure improvement plan.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Request Bids on the Woodland Drive Sanitary Sewer. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested Council’s permission to Seek Bids on Phase 2 of CDBG Grant – Water Lines. There will be 17,000 new lineal feet of water lines on Casey Ave., Harrison, Perkins from 10th to Shawnee, 7th Street, and South 20th Street. Bechtel stated that the contractor will be asked to replace the lines on Perkins first before the scheduled overlay of the road.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids on Phase 2 of CDBG Grant – Water Lines. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested Council’s Approval of Year-End Budget Adjustments. The budget adjustments are recommended to be made by the City Auditors, Krehbiel & Associates. Finance Director Merle Hollmann explained that in all instances, except the Sanitation Fund, all funds were taken from revenue or other expenditure accounts to adjust the accounts that were over budget. The Sanitation Fund $36,800 shortfall will be taken from the Working Fund Balance.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Year-End Budget Adjustments. 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 Amending Article 11, Section 11.7 of the Revised Code of Ordinances “Transient Merchant, Itinerant Vendor”, and adding a New Section 11.18 “Mobile Food Vendors”. The goals are to establish rules for Mobile Food Vendors/Ice Cream Trucks and to update the Transient Merchant/Itinerant Vendor Ordinance. The license fee per person is $25 a day or $200 for thirty days and does not require a license for community events.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-21, an Ordinance Amending Article 11, Section 11.7 of the Revised Code of Ordinances “Transient Merchant, Itinerant Vendor”, and adding a New Section 11.18 “Mobile Food Vendors”. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Second Reading an Ordinance Amending Article 13 of the Revised Code of Ordinances to Add Section 13.17 and Amending Article 21, Section 21- 109 by Adding a New Section 21-109.9 Shipping Containers. Bechtel asked that the Council table action on this Ordinance until August because after receiving feedback staff needs time to look at this Ordinance more thoroughly.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to table the Second Reading an Ordinance Amending Article 13 of the Revised Code of Ordinances to Add Section 13.17 and Amending Article 21, Section 21-109 by Adding a New Section 21-109.9 Shipping Containers until August 2020. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Truck Stop Located at the Southwest Corner of Wells By-Pass and Veterans Memorial Drive. Bechtel stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the Conditional Use and no objectors were present. Greg Rogers from QuikTrip spoke on the convenience center/truck stop/travel center planned for this area. There will be nineteen truck parking stalls. The estimated
investment is between $10 to $12 million. Rogers stated that they plan to apply for video gaming and liquor licenses. Mayor John Lewis stated that the installation of stop lights is being looked into for this intersection.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-22, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Truck Stop Located at the Southwest Corner of Wells By-Pass and Veteran’s Memorial Drive. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading an Ordinance Amending Section 1.4- City Clerk and Section 1.6-City Treasurer of the Revised Code of Ordinances Amending the Compensation of the City Clerk and City Treasurer. This Ordinance reduces the City Clerk’s salary from $32,500/year to $2,400/year and the City Treasurer’s salary from $6,000/year to $1,200/year. The salaries will be effective with the next terms. Bechtel’s proposal reduces the elected positions salaries and adds a full-time position to the City Clerk’s Office. The elected positions would be overseeing the departments to ensure that the office is opened.
First Reading was held.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading an Ordinance Amending Article 6, Section 6.2 of the Revised Code of Ordinances Amending the Festival Area to Include 9th Street from Harrison Street to Jordan Street. Bechtel explained that the festival activities involving alcohol will not be allowed on the State Routes.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to suspend the rules on voting on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-23, an Ordinance Amending Article 6, Section 6.2 of the Revised Code of Ordinances Amending the Festival Area to Include 9th Street from Harrison Street to Jordan Street. 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 to Accept Two Proposals from PASS Security for Phase 2 Street Side Cameras and Wireless Back Haul Links and the Authorization of the City Manager to Execute the Proposals on Behalf of the City of Mt. Vernon. Bechtel explained that the proposals allow for the moving of the server from the Park to the Police Department, installation of a tower at Casey Middle School, and installation of twenty-six (26) additional cameras. Overall, over $110,000 was budgeted for this project. The cost is under budget.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Resolution to Accept Two Proposals from PASS Security for Phase 2 Street Side Cameras and Wireless Back Haul Links and the Authorization of the City Manager to Execute the Proposals on Behalf of the City of Mt. Vernon. 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 to Enter into an Agreement with Kings Financial Consulting Inc. and to Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Letter of Agreement on Behalf of the City of Mt. Vernon. Bechtel explained that this hires a consultant for the refunding of and the issuing of new bonds. She presented a worksheet showing scenarios of refinancing existing bonds and borrowing $7 million. The proposal is the reduction of the bond terms to ten (10) years with a private placement of the bonds at a rate of 1.89%. If the proposal is successful, the annual payment increase for 10 years is $72,345. The interest savings over the 10 years is $5,203,605.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution to Enter into an Agreement
with Kings Financial Consulting Inc. and to Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Letter of Agreement on Behalf 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 to Enter into an Agreement with D.A. Davidson & Co. and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Underwriting Engagement Letter on Behalf of the City of Mt. Vernon. Bechtel explained that this goes along with the issuance of bonds.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Resolution to Enter into an Agreement with D.A. Davidson & Co. and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Underwriting Engagement Letter on Behalf of the City of Mt. Vernon. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis presented for the Council’s Advice and Consent the Re-appointments of Chris Mendenall and Bill Pittman to the Police Pension Commission. The terms are four-year terms.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Re-appointments of Chris Mendenall and Bill Pittman to the Police Pension Commission. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
Mayor John Lewis presented for the Council’s Advice and Consent the Re-appointment of Bill Beck to the Fire & Police Commission.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Re-appointment of Bill Beck to the Fire & Police Commission. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Donte Moore reminded citizens to contact the Utility Billing Services Department by July 1, 2020 to make payment arrangements for past due utility bills. Angels on Assignment, United Way, and Crosswalk have funds to assist with past due bills.
Council Member Mike Young announced that Linola Spann’s Back to School Event is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the Veteran’s Memorial Park. Last year, almost 700 backpacks were given away.
Council Member Ray Botch presented an Update on the Utilities Infrastructure Revenues and Expenditures for June 3, 2020 to April 30, 2024.
Infrastructure Update – June 1, 2020
The Infrastructure Committee has completed the 2020-2025 Budget. Over the next five years, the City will commit $46,538,000 for water and sewer projects. This will be accomplished by $11,538,000 in City funds and $35,000,000 in low interest 20-year IEPA loans. We will also seek a 50% loan forgiveness. This will result in an actual $17,500,000 loan repayment over 20 years.
This monumental $46,538,000 program will be accomplished over a 5-year period using $17,950,000 City funds and $35,000,000 in low-interest 20-year loans. We could have paid these loans off over 40 years but decided it was in the City’s best interest and pocketbook to reduce the time to 20 years. (All funding mechanisms are currently in place.)
| Sales Tax | $8,200,000 |
| 2% Maintenance Fee | $3,140,000 |
| IEPA Engineering Reimbursements | $960,000 |
| Year-End Balance Carried Forward | $5,550,000 |
| Grant | $100,000 |
| Total | $17,950,000 |
| Sewer Cleaning and Condition Study | $900,000 |
| Easement Clearing | $30,000 |
| Cured in Place Pipe Lining | $2,600,000 |
| Water Tank Fences | $50,000 |
| Brownsville Road Lift Station Upgrade | $100,000 |
| Water Meters | $250,000 |
| Fountain Place Sewer | $150,000 |
| Infrastructure Equipment | $500,000 |
| Lift Station #1 Pumps | $50,000 |
| Emergencies | $800,000 |
| In-House Sewers | $100,000 |
| District Meters (Grant) | $100,000 |
| Meter Loan Repayment (4 Years) | $2,348,000 |
| Engineering | $2,800,000 |
| CDBG Grant (City share) | $140,000 |
| IEPA Loan Repayment (2020-2025) | $620,000 |
| Total | $11,538,000 |
| Lift Station #14/Force Main | $3,100,000 |
| Wagner Road Lift Station | $300,000 |
| Treatment Plant Improvements | $3,000,000 |
| Plant Inlets and Sewer Rerouting | $4,100,000 |
| Maple Street Lift Station | $2,500,000 |
| New 500,000 Gallon L/N Storage Tank | $4,000,000 |
| Water Main Replacement | $10,000,000 |
| Sewer Lining and Replacement | $8,000,000 |
| Total | $35,000,000 |
| Lift Station #14/Force Main | $3,100,000 |
| Plant Inlets and Sewer Rerouting | $4,100,000 |
| 2020 Water Mains (26,595 l.f.) | $2,800,000 |
| Total | $10,000,000 |
| 2020 | 26,595 l.f. |
| 2021 | 26,540 l.f. |
| 2022 | 27,000 l.f. |
| 2023 | 25,345 l.f. |
| 2024 | 26,020 l.f. |
| Total | 131,500 l.f. (24.9 miles) |
The past two years have been very fruitful. We conducted numerous studies to develop an Infrastructure Plan that was doable and efficient. Some of our accomplishments were:
- SCADA Management System
- Refurbish 1,500,000-gallon Vernwood Tank
- 2 new pumps for Vernwood Tank
- Refurbish 500,000-gallon Opdyke Tank
- New valving systems for all 4 storage tanks
- Inspected and cleaned Summersville, Midtown, and Northeast Sewers
- Cleaned Treatment Plant in-flow lines – 20%-75% clogged
- Installed over 6,900 Kamstrup smart water meters
- Replaced 20th Street / L/N sewer collapse
- 44th Street sewer
- Replaced Magnolia Street water main
- 12th Street water main Broadway to Veteran’s Drive
- Lake Street sewer main cured-in-place
- Conducted a water modeling study and implemented the recommendations, making our system more efficient
In the beginning we realized our water and sewer infrastructure problems COULD NOT BE SOLVED OVER NIGHT! Over the next five years, with IEPA’s cooperation, Mt. Vernon will put a substantial dent in our infrastructure needs.
Mayor John Lewis asked if the Kamstrup smart water meters are working as promised. Finance Director Merle Hollmann reported that they are working well, and the water purchases are down.
Mayor John Lewis asked if the IEPA may still implement the.1% phosphorus rate. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel replied that a phosphorus study costs $150,000 and if the IEPA moves forward the improvements will be considerably costly to communities.
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 Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m.
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