City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Oct. 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting via teleconference (GoToMeeting) due to the Covid-19 quarantine. The Log-In for the Meeting: United States: +1 (872) 240-3212 - One-touch: tel:+18722403212, 752625589# Access Code: 752-625-589.
Mayor John Lewis called the meeting to order.
The Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance was waived due to the meeting being held via teleconference.
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 October 5, 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 Ray Botch motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,494,349.27. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the bid results for Mt. Vernon IEPA Cast Iron Pipe Replacement 2020 Water Lines Project. There were five plan holders of record, and one bid was received from Haier Plumbing and Heating Inc. of Okawville, Illinois for $2,448,324.00. The Engineer’s Estimate was $2,417,013.33.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to award the bid for the Mt. Vernon IEPA Cast Iron Pipe Replacement 2020 Water Lines Project to Haier Plumbing and Heating Inc. of Okawville, Illinois for $2,448,324.00. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested Council’s permission to Close 9th Street from Harrison Street to Casey Avenue on Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the Downtown Mt. Vernon Christmas Activities. The DMDC requested the closure.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission to Close 9th Street from Harrison Street to Casey Avenue on Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for the Downtown Mt. Vernon Christmas Activities. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel introduced Greg Charlton, Krehbiel and Associates, LLC. and Finance Director Steve Tate to present the 2019-2020 Audit. Bechtel stated that this is only the presentation and formal approval will be presented at the next City Council Meeting.
Charlton thanked the Mayor and Council for giving them the opportunity to serve the City as their Auditors. He thanked Merle Hollmann and the Finance Department as well as the other City employees who were involved in the Audit process for their cooperation and willingness to help with the Audit. This year, the City received three unqualified Audit Opinions with no findings. This is the best that can be achieved.
The General Corporate Fund Balance increased by $1.3 million, which is better than expected with the effects of COVID.
The Public Utilities Fund showed $2.9 million income. This includes $38,000 from General Corporate Capital, $1 million from Home Rule Sales Tax, and $1.8 million from Capital Improvement Grants.
The Sewer Fund showed a net loss of $470,000. This includes $580,000 of Capital Improvements.
The Sanitation Fund showed a net loss of $16,000. This was to be expected because the City did not increase the residents’ rates when the City’s fees were increased.
TIF Downtown Fund provided $824,000 worth of improvements to the downtown area, the Rt 15 and I57 TIF provided $262,000 worth of improvements to this area, and the Industrial Park TIF Fund provided $166,000 to this area.
The Health Insurance Fund showed an increase in net assets of $340,000. The goal of this Fund is to break even.
The Police Pension Fund Investments experienced a decrease in market value (net) of $1 million. The overall loss on Investment for the year was 3.64%. The Net Pension Liability (NPL) is almost $15 million.
The Firefighters Pension Fund Investments experienced a decrease in market value (net) of $1.9 million. The overall loss on Investment for the year was 13.0%. The Net Pension Liability (NPL) was $16.375 million.
Charlton explained that both the Police and Fire Pension Funds were based on the market value as of April 30, 2020. This year April 30, 2020 was a bad day for the market. The IMRF Pension Fund was based on the market value of December 31, 2019 which was a better day for the market.
The IMRF Pension Fund Investments experienced an increase in market value (net) of $4 million. The Net Pension Liability (NPL) is $1.4 million.
Charlton concluded by stating that on April 30, 2020, the City employed an average of 147 full-time equivalent employees. The City’s total capital assets equal $144 million and the total debt equals $78 million as of April 30, 2020.
Council Member Ray Botch asked if the Water and Sewer Infrastructure Funds were segregated. Charlton replied that each fund is separate.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with Kitt, LLC. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that Kitt, LLC. intends to develop an interchange video gaming premise within a commercial development. This Memorandum assures Kitt, LLC. that upon them being in full and strict compliance of the Memorandum and upon receiving the necessary and required documentation, one Interchange Video Gaming Liquor License and six Video Gaming Terminal Licenses.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding with Kitt, LLC. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis urged everyone to follow the CDC’s Covid-19 Virus recommendations to wear masks, keep hands washed, and social distance.
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 Joe Gliosci motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:22 p.m.
http://www.mtvernon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/10192020-Regular-City-Council-Meeting-1.pdf
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