North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met April 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, April 3, 2023 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.

Mayor John Lewis opened the meeting.

Pastor Craig Smith with First Freewill 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, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young and Mayor John Lewis.

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journal for the March 6, 2023 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.

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

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Gloria McKiness was present in the audience and wanted to address the Council regarding three issues. She spoke about the new traffic signals and the blinking yellow turn signals. She stated they were confusing and were causing accidents. Mayor John Lewis responded that the traffic lights are controlled by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The City does not control these lights because these are state routes. The next issue that she wanted to report was that there were two deep holes in the ground at the City Park. She had pictures and Assistant City Manager Nathan McKenna responded that he would have this looked into. The third item Ms. McKiness wanted to address was the concrete parking stops and the edge of the sidewalks downtown. She believes that these should be painted another color. They are the same color as the concrete and could cause someone to trip and fall. The Mayor thanked her for her input and for coming to the meeting.

APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

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

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,791,791.19. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for Fireworks for the July 4th Salute to Freedom. Last year the City spent $35,000 on fireworks. The recommendation is to accept proposals for fireworks display at the cost of $35,000.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for Fireworks and Accept Proposals in the Amount of $35,000. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission for a Street Closure on Jordan Street between 11th and 12th Streets from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the First Friday of Each Month from May 2023 through November 2023 for Monthly Cruise-in with the Elks. Requesting Party: Elks.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure on Jordan Street between 11th and 12th Streets from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on the First Friday of Each Month from May 2023 through November 2023 for Monthly Cruise-in with the Elks. Requesting Party: Elks. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading of an Ordinance to Surplus Property. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated this is for a 1991 Tandem truck that has already been replaced.

Council Member Ray Botch made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance to Surplus Property, a 1991 Tandem Truck. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2023-16, an Ordinance to Surplus Property, a 1991 Tandem Truck. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Attorney David Leggans presented for First Reading of an Ordinance to Approve the Proposed Budget for the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this is a First Reading only. City Manager Bechtel stated that there is a draft budget posted in the City Clerk’s office and on the website. She introduced Finance Director Stephanie Bailey. Finance Director Bailey stated she had given the Council a clean copy of the budget for review and that she is available to discuss any questions or concerns that the Council might have. City Manager Bechtel spoke about the proposed increase of $1.50 in the Sanitation Fund and a 5% increase in the sewer rates for the operation of the Sewer Department.

FIRST READING ONLY.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis stated to watch television and/or listen to the radio regarding the upcoming weather tomorrow and into Wednesday. We are expecting severe weather.

CITY COUNCIL

City Council Member Joe Gliosci wanted to remind citizens to get out and vote tomorrow, April 4th.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel gave an update on the Cross Connection Survey. The return percentage at this point is a little over 50%. This leaves approximately 3,500 surveys that have not been returned. The City will have to contact each person or business that does not return the survey.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 7:24 p.m., Mayor John Lewis requested an Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)(6) - Purchase, Lease, or Sale of Real Property.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to go into Executive Session 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5)(6) – Purchase, Lease or Sale of Real Property. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

At 7:40 p.m., Mayor John Lewis reconvened the Regular City Council Meeting.

Roll call showed present: Council Member Ray Botch, Council Member Joe Gliosci, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m.

https://mtvernon.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/04032023-Regular-City-Council-Meeting-.pdf