North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Nov. 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/MtVernonIL.

Log-in for the meeting is https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/357016389 Call in Number: (872) 240-3212, Access Code: 357-016-389

Due to the absence of Mayor John Lewis, Deputy City Clerk Becky Barbour called the meeting to order. The first order of business was to appoint a Mayor Pro Tem. Motion by Council Member Ray Botch to appoint Council Member Donte Moore as Mayor Pro Tem for tonight’s meeting. All were in favor.

Mayor Pro Tem Donte Moore opened the meeting.

Pastor Mike Sheets of Meadowbrook Christian Church led the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

ROLL CALL

Present: Council Member Ray Botch, Council Member Joe Gliosci, Council Member Donte Moore, and Council Member Mike Young. Absent: Mayor John Lewis.

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journals for the October 18, 2021 Regular City Council Meeting and the October 22, 2021 Special City Council Meeting were presented for approval.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Journals as presented. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Young. Absent: Lewis.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, November 1, 2021

APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable were presented to Council for approval.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,552,542.34. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Young. Absent: Lewis.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Request Proposals for Cleaning Services for Municipal Buildings. The City has been out of contract for some time, and it is time to revisit the cleaning contract and formally hire a company to clean the City Hall, Police Department, Muni West Building, and 12th Street buildings.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Request Proposals for Cleaning Services for Municipal Buildings. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Young. Absent: Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids on Woodland Drive Sewer Line. This is a new sewer main on Woodland Drive to serve an unserved area and re-route the sewer main along Industrial Drive.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids on Woodland Drive Sewer Line. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Young. Absent: Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Waive Bidding Procedures and Purchase Space-Saver Storage Equipment from Bradford Systems for the New Police Station. The City is far enough along in the design and planning that it is known what storage space will be needed for evidence, files, and lockers. Because of the long lead time for this equipment, the City is asking the Council to waive the bidding and purchase the Space Saver Storage Equipment from Bradford Systems. This purchase is on the State Contract Rate of $209,905.37.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Waive Bidding Procedures and Purchase Space-Saver Storage Equipment from Bradford Systems for the New Police Station. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Young. Absent: Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel introduced Finance Director Steve Tate to present the Annual Fire Pension and Police Pension Reports. The Illinois Compiled Statutes require that the reports be presented annually to the City Council. He reported that both pension funds had done very well this past year. These pension funds are both in the process of being consolidated into the Downstate Police and Fire Pension Funds. The State of Illinois will manage the funds. There was discussion regarding the funds and the consolidation of those funds. No motion was needed.

CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading of an Ordinance for Property Tax Levy. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel introduced Finance Director Steve Tate to present information regarding the tax levy. The City is proposing a tax levy of $2,954,900.00. This is the same as last year. There is a deficiency over the levy amounts for Fire Pension (-$276,011.00), Police Pension (-$181,872.00), and IMRF (-$124,519.00). The total deficiency of $611,224.00 will be paid from the Pension Sales Tax Fund. The 1/4% sales tax that was passed will generate about $900,000.00. First Reading was held.

Council Member Ray Botch made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance Declaring Surplus Property. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Young. Absent: Lewis.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve Ordinance #2021-36, an Ordinance Declaring Surplus Property. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Young. Absent: Lewis.

MAYOR

None.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ADJOURNMENT

Council Member Mike Young motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Young. Absent: Lewis.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/11012021-Regular-City-Council-Meeting.pdf