City of Mt. Vernon City Council met April 4.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
Mayor John Lewis opened the meeting.
Pastor Ron Lash from Corinthian Baptist Church led the Invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ROLL CALL
Roll call showed present: Council Member Ray Botch, Council Member Joe Gliosci, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Donte Moore and Council Member Mike Young.
PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS
The Journal for the March 21, 2022 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Journal as presented. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, and Lewis. Absent: Moore and Young.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Pat Hampton of 411 North 6th Street, Mt. Vernon presented an issue regarding the cleanup of trash, including a house that had been torn down at 6th and Barton Streets and not cleaned up. There are also old cars in yards (with no licenses and undriveable), old mattresses and furniture at other houses in the neighborhood. She said her neighborhood is a mess and nothing is being done about it, just seems like there is junk everywhere. She was inquiring as to information regarding the properties being posted as they were in the past. Mayor Lewis responded that the City does post the properties if we are aware of them and that someone would be sent out to check the properties in the area.
Ms. Hampton also presented that there was a hazard between North 6th and 7th on Barton Street. The manhole covers have been washed out in the last heavy rain, water was shooting out of them causing a hazard. Mayor Lewis responded that the City would send someone from the Street Department to check the manhole covers.
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 $611,456.64. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, and Lewis. Absent: Moore and Young.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that bid results are in for the demolition of four properties in the Flood Plain. This completes the Flood Plain buy out except for one property. We are still waiting for that owner to return the paperwork that has been delivered to him. Staff recommendation is to award this demolition contract to Heck’s Excavating for $40,500.00.
| Heck’s Excavating | Mt. Vernon, IL | $40,500.00 |
| Kenneth A. Hails Excavating | Texico, IL | $44,000.00 |
| S. Shafer Excavating, Inc. | Pontoon Beach, IL | $61,000.00 |
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the Bid Results for the installation of a traffic signal at South 45th Street and Veteran’s Memorial Drive. There were two bids. Staff recommendation is to accept the low bid from Brown Electric in the amount of $331,735.22.
| Brown Electric | $331,735.22 |
| FW Electric | $376,624.91 |
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Waive Bidding Requirements and Approve the Proposal from Crain Tree Farm for the Tree Barrier at Public Works Storage Facility on South 10th Street. The City is trying to improve the entrance to the City of Mt. Vernon from the I-64 exit. Rock, salt, leftover concrete, etc., are stored at that facility. A tree barrier would serve to obscure that view. Mestel Nursery advised that Crain Tree Farm be called to recommend a type of tree to use for a barrier. Crain Tree Farm provided a quote for $29,998.00 for 78 trees that are 8 to 9 feet tall and would be substantial to begin with. Staff recommendation is to waive the bidding and award this work to Crain Tree Farm.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission to Waive Bidding Requirements and Approve the Proposal from Crain Tree Farm in the Amount of $29,998.00 for the Tree Barrier at the Public Works Storage Facility. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, and Lewis. Absent: Moore and Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Waive Bidding Requirements and Approve Proposal from Novacom for a Tower and Installation at the New Mt. Vernon Police Department. The City has to install a communications tower at the new Police Department for radio transmission. Staff recommendation is to waive the bidding and award the project to NOVACOM in the amount of $15,694.99.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Waive Bidding Requirements and Approve Proposal from Novacom in the Amount of $15,694.99 for a Tower and Installation at the New Police Department. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, and Lewis. Absent: Moore and Young.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Quotes to Finance the new Ferrara Fire Truck. This is a ladder truck that was ordered a few months ago and the City is expecting the new fire truck to be delivered in June and the financing needs to be secured. The cost is $905,000.00.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission to Seek Quotes to Finance the New Ferrara Fire Truck. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, and Lewis. Absent: Moore and Young.
City Manager Bechtel introduced Mike Phalin with Clearwave Fiber regarding their plans for infrastructure expansion in the City. Mr. Phalin explained he wanted to update and seek the approval of Council for the previously proposed project to expand the existing fiber network in Mt. Vernon to be able to offer fiber optic-based services to 100% of the homes and businesses within the city limits. Mr. Phalin gave background information and plans for the future. He explained that Mt. Vernon had been identified as a target city for the expansion. It will be all buried cable and the plan is to come into the City and build a network, which would take approximately six months. Subscribers to this service would have direct fiber into their homes at a cost of approximately $60.00 for basic service. The installation is by mostly directional drilling up and down the streets. The investment of Clearwave is 8 to 10 million dollars. There is no financial responsibility by the City, other than our laborers locating the utilities so they can run the cable. There was discussion between Mr. Phalin and the Council. No action by Council needed as this is only for discussion as there is an Agreement with Clearwave already in place. Staff recommendation is to go forward with Clearwave expansion.
CITY ATTORNEY
None.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis presented for the advice and consent of the City Council, the Reappointment of Gary Chesney to the Mt. Vernon Outland Airport Board.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to accept the Reappointment of Gary Chesney to the Mt. Vernon Outland Airport Board. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, and Lewis. Absent: Moore and Young.
CITY COUNCIL
None.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, and Lewis. Absent: Moore and Young.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.
http://www.mtvernon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/04042022-Regular-City-Council-Meeting.pdf
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