City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Aug. 3.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Mt. Vernon City Council met for a Regular City Council Meeting at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building, Veterans Park, 800 South 27th Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
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 Journal for the July 20, 2020 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Journal as presented. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Patty Bach asked for the City Council’s consideration to waive the $100 Special Event Liquor License Fee for outside events at the Wrestling Event Center at 521 Perkins. Bach explained that due to Covid-19, she cannot hold events with more than 50 people inside and she plans to hold the events outside. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that liquor license holders are allowed twenty-six events per year at $100 per event. The events cannot be held within 100 feet of residential homes. Mayor John Lewis stated that he and the Council will need to 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 $681,938.67. 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 CDBG Water Main Project Phase 2. The project consists of the replacement of water mains along Harrison Street, Casey Avenue, Perkins Avenue, and 7th Street. The project is funded with CDBG monies and City Funds. Two bids were submitted. The lowest responsive responsible bidder was J.K. Trotter & Sons in the amount of $1,009,052.30. Engineer’s estimate was $1,064,994.00.
| J.K. Trotter & Sons, Mt. Vernon, IL | $1,009,052.30 |
| Haier Plumbing & Heating, Okawville, IL | $1,123,505.00 |
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bid results for the Manhole Lining Project at Optimist Park. Four bids were submitted. The lowest responsive responsible bidder was Culy Constructing in the amount of $73,054.60. Engineer’s estimate was $80,852.20.
| Ace Pipe Cleaning, Kansas City, MO | $165,456.00 |
| Visu-Sewer, East St. Louis, IL | $160,732.40 |
| Redina Construction, Glen Ellyn, IL | $ 80,518.84 |
| Culy Constructing, Winchester, IN | $73,054.6 |
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bid results for Fire Station #4 Roof Repair on South 42nd Street. One bid was received from I.C. Enterprises Inc. and it was considerably more than the City’s cost estimate. She recommended to reject the bid, then review and revise the project.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to reject the bid from I.C. Enterprises Inc. for the Fire Station #4 Roof Repair. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Council’s permission to waive the Bidding Requirements on a New Air Conditioning Unit for the Engineering Department. This is a roof a/c unit that serves two offices. Proposals were received from Holloway Heating and A/C for $5,500 and Affordable Heating and A/C for $6,200. She asked that the bidding requirements be waived and award the bid to Holloway Heating and A/C.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to waive the Bidding Requirements on a New Air Conditioning Unit for the Engineering Department and to accept Holloway Heating and A/C’s proposal for $5,500. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested Council’s permission to Bid the Casey Street Sidewalk Replacement. Bechtel explained that last year the City replaced the water line on Casey Street. The project is estimated at $40,000 and funds will come from the Quality of Life Fund.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to Bid the Casey Street Sidewalk Replacement. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested Council’s permission to approve the Change Order for the New Post Office Parking Lot. The Change Order is to remove and replace existing asphalt pavement for the final elevation required for ADA areas and to replace pavement with 1 1⁄2” surface course asphalt pavement. The amount of the Change Order is $23,467.00.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Change Order for the New Post Office Parking Lot in the amount of $23,467.00. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David Leggans 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. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this Ordinance defines a shipping container and shipping container uses. Anyone who has existing shipping containers can go through the building permit process for a nonconforming structure permit to be in compliance with the Ordinance. The shipping container shall be painted as to blend in with the building to which it is an accessory.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-28, 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. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, and Lewis. Nos: Botch and Young.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for Second Reading an Ordinance Annexing Property having PIN 11-06-402-017 on Route 148 Adjacent to 1521 Harlan Road. The petitioners are Matthew and Michele Gleckler.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-29, an Ordinance Annexing Property having PIN 11-06-402-017 on Route 148 Adjacent to 1521 Harlan Road. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading an Ordinance Declaring Surplus Municipal Property. The property consists of a 2011 Jeep Cherokee SUV and real estate commonly know as 1017 Welkins Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois having PIN 07-32-181-016.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to suspend the rules on voting on an Ordinance. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to adopt Ordinance #2020-30, an Ordinance Declaring Surplus Municipal Property. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Attorney David Leggans opened a Public Hearing and presented a Resolution Approving an Agreement to Annex Property at 9749 E. Richview Road. The requesting party is Broken, Loved, Healed Inc. The owner desires to connect the structure upon the real estate to the public water system of the City. When the property becomes contiguous to the City, the property would automatically be annexed.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Resolution Approving an Agreement to Annex Property at 9749 E. Richview Road. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Attorney David Leggans presented a Resolution Granting Permission from IDOT to Close State Route 15 and Route 37 on September 26, 2020 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the Fall Fest Parade. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this is the traditional parade route.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Granting Permission from IDOT to Close State Route 15 and Route 37 on September 26, 2020 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for the Fall Fest Parade. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis reported on the July 2020 statistics from the various City Departments.
The Mt. Vernon Police Department handled 1,804 calls which equals to about 58 calls each and every day. 81 people were arrested during the month. There were 102 criminal charges, 36 drug charges, and 16 warrants served. They also conducted 226 traffic stops resulting in 74 citations. 7 people were arrested for D.U.I., responded to 81 traffic crashes, answered 74 alarms, and had 68 community contacts. The Detective Division was assigned 44 new cases, referred 14 cases to the States Attorney and cleared 3 cases by arrest. The Tactical Unit had 1 call out, our K9 team had 5 deployments and there was 1 crime scene callout.
The Fire Department responded to 311 alarms and calls. The City Hall Station answered 144 alarms, the Airport Station answered 19 alarms, and the 42nd Street Station answered 148 alarms. Of the responses, 218 were recorded as EMS related, 15 of the responses were recorded as fire related, and 10 of the responses were recorded as hazard related. They responded to 4 structure fires, 2 cooking fires, 1 passenger vehicle fire, 5 trash rubbish fires, 2 dumpster fires, 1 natural vegetation fire, 13 motor vehicle crashes with injuries, 23 false alarms, and gave mutual aid on 3 calls and received mutual aid on 2 calls. The Fire Inspection Dept. performed 4 business site inspections, 3 consultations and 2 plan reviews. The Fire Prevention Division performed 1 car seat inspection. As summer starts to wind down, it is time for children to start going back to school. We ask that you pay attention to bus drivers and their signals for when they are picking up or dropping off children on our streets. Never pass a bus while loading or unloading children. Also, be aware of those children that may walk to school and make sure you are keeping a watchful eye out for anyone crossing a street so that you see them, and they see you. Obey school zone speed limits and follow your school’s drop-off procedure. The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them to safely enter and exit the bus. Stay safe and lets all have a great school year.
Public Utilities Department responded to 15 water breaks and repaired or replaced 22 services, processed 192 work orders, processed 144 JULIE locates, had 185 red letter disconnects, completed 15 site restorations, and 38 water samples were collected. On the sewer side, they responded to 1 service call for a backed up sewer main, 5 routine sanitary and storm mains cleaned and or televised resulting in 800 linear feet of sanitary sewer main cleaned, 1 manhole was repaired, 2 mains repaired, 1 service lateral was repaired, 10 sewer mains were routinely treated and 200 hours were spent hauling debris. Engineering and Inspection Department conducted no 10A inspections due to COVID-19 and there have been 30 nuisance postings with 22 nuisance abatements. There were 3 more properties condemned bringing the total # of condemned properties waiting to be demolished to 35 and there were 19 building permits totaling $895,903.
Mayor John Lewis read a statement concerning the 2020 Census.
“It is your action or inaction that holds our community’s future in your hands. States will gain or lose House of Representative seats based on your actions. Those areas that better respond to the Census will have a better and more representation in Washington to better get federal dollars for the citizens that need it the most.
Where do you think the money comes from that provides for health, education, housing, and infrastructure? If you decide not to be counted, that money appropriated for you will just go to another state or another city. People constantly complain that business will not come here. Well, guess what, not participating in the Census will assure there will be no future possibility of business investment here because your nonparticipation makes it appear, we don’t have the workforce needed when business looks at our census numbers.
Now, to the young people just starting a family. The Census will determine how much money your schools will receive for your child’s education. If you do not care about your child’s education, I guess this would not be an issue. If you are part of our community that relies on some type of government assistance to “get by” or just to survive, and you do not participate, then your nonparticipation translates in the numbers that we do not need any more assistance because you have made it appear we’re doing OK. This Census information is used to develop and decide the level of funding for our community for social service programs, community action projects, senior or children lunch programs, child care centers, Medicaid, Snap, Section 8 Housing Vouchers, special education, children’s health insurance, WIC, foster care, low income energy assistance, Pell grants, adoption assistance, crime victim assistance, career and technical education grants, home investment programs, subsidized housing, and the list goes on. If none of that matters to you then I understand you not wanting to participate.
EVERYONE being counted in our Census is so important. We need current information on how our City and its neighborhoods are changing. We need to know births, deaths, people coming, and people going. We need to understand the makeup and dynamics of our neighborhoods. All of this is vital to make good decisions. We need to know, and we are always asked, “Who is in this neighborhood?” “What is the population of that neighborhood?” “How is this neighborhood changing?” “How is that neighborhood changing?” We are asked by school construction people, the Department of Education, by all kinds of different agencies and businesses. Agencies look to this data for guidance on who is where and guidance on how to allocate the services and money and guidance on how to look forward and plan for the future. In past censuses, millions of children, people of color, low income people and immigrants have gone uncounted, perpetuating systemic racism, undermining their political representation, and causing underfunding of resources so desperately needed for our City.
You should be saying, I want to be counted! STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!!!
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Donte Moore announced that Ameren has many programs set up to help with energy assistance. He urged citizens to go to Ameren’s website to apply.
Council Member Ray Botch asked where college students are counted in the Census. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel replied that wherever they are residing on April 1, 2020.
Council Member Donte Moore reminded everyone that Linola Spann’s Back to School Event is scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the Veteran’s Memorial Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers will be available to help people with their Census too.
Council Member Mike Young complimented the work performed on the concrete extension storm water project between 22nd and 23rd Streets between Logan and Lamar. It has turned out to be nice looking and is an example of the projects made possible with the 1% Sales Tax.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Patty Bach announced that the Feed My Sheep Ministry at 521 Perkins is giving away groceries every Tuesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No Executive Session was held.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
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