Congratulations to Mrs. Aimee Evans - she is the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s November Teacher of the Month! Mrs. Evans received nominations from students and staff. | Mt. Vernon Township High School / Facebook
Congratulations to Mrs. Aimee Evans - she is the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s November Teacher of the Month! Mrs. Evans received nominations from students and staff. | Mt. Vernon Township High School / Facebook
Mt. Vernon Township High School Board of Education met Oct. 16.
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, October 16, 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 Mark Wells with Waltonville Free Will 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 Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Donte Moore.
PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS
The Journal for the October 2, 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, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
None.
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 $2,126,322.08. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.
Regular City Council Meeting Monday, October 16, 2023
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the Bid Results for the Veteran Park Lake Dredging Proposal. There were four bidders. The lowest bidder was Groundworks Contracting, Inc., Breese, Illinois, at $731,000.00. The staff recommendation is to award the contract to the low bidder, Groundworks Contracting, Inc.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission for a Street Closure on North 9th Street between Main Street and Harrison Street on Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for a Vendor Fair. Requesting Party: The Granada Theatre. Staff recommendation is to approve the street closure.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure on North 9th Street between Main Street and Harrison Street on Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for a Vendor Fair. Requesting Party: The Granada Theatre. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission for a Street Closure on North Street between 10th Street and 11th Street on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for Central Christian Church Serve Day. Requesting Party: Central Christian Church. Staff recommendation is to approve the street closure.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure on North Street between 10th Street and 11th Street on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for Central Christian Church Serve Day. Requesting Party: Central Christian Church. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Waive Bidding and Award the Contract for Brickwork at the New Police Station to Barter Masonry, Inc. This is to repair the brick on the new police facility that was damaged by a vehicle hitting the building. The amount is $32,600.00. They believe it will take about five days to take off the existing brick and replace it unless there is more damage than can be seen at this time. Council Member Ray Botch asked if the person who was responsible for the damage could be held accountable to pay this amount. City Attorney David Leggans stated that since this has been turned over to the insurance carrier, they would be the ones to proceed with any lawsuit or demand for restitution.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Waive Bidding and Award the Contract for Brickwork at the New Police Station to Barter Masonry, Inc. in the amount of $32,600.00. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel introduced Parks Director Chelise Bray to present the end of season report on the Aquatic Zoo. Parks Director Bray included the following information regarding revenue and expenses in her report. Council Members thanked her for the report and good work.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David Leggans presented an Ordinance Granting Conditional Use for the Purpose of Public Utility Facilities. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechel stated that this conditional use is for the construction of a new substation for Ameren at North IL Hwy 142. Planning and Zoning reviewed the application, and it was unanimously approved. Ameren representative Sabrina Evans was present to answer any question. There were none.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve Ordinance #2023-33, An Ordinance Granting Conditional Use for the Purpose of Public Utility Facilities. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.
City Attorney David Leggans presented a Resolution Approving a Request for Additional Services for the Downtown Greenspace Redevelopment. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel reported that the original agreement with MKSK was based on a development budget of $1 million to $1.5 million. The estimated cost has increased to $2.3 million and MKSK believes an increase in the cost of architectural fees is justified due to the additional services study, the options for the stage covering and restroom/storage area, and the overall increase in the required services for the project. They are requesting an additional $104,000.00. The total cost of their fees will be $230,000.00.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Approving a Request for Additional Services for the Downtown Greenspace Redevelopment. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.
City Attorney David Leggans presented a Resolution Approving a Lease Agreement with Bathla LLC. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that this is for office space at 123 South 10th Street on the 5th Floor. This will be for the Tourism Department. It is a five-year lease at a cost of $1,400.00 for three years and $1,500.00 for the next two years. This is gross lease including utilities, real estate taxes, and insurance. It will begin on November 1, 2023.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Resolution Approving a Lease Agreement with Bathla LLC. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.
MAYOR
Mayor John Lewis wanted to address the issue of the letters that have been sent out by Homefield regarding aggregation for electrical supply, as the City has started receiving phone calls on this issue. Mayor Lewis explained that beginning January through July, 2024, the rate will be 8.4 cents per kilowatt hour and after July, this amount will go to 8.7. The letters received in the mail are sent out to the community giving an opportunity to opt out of Homefield. The advice given by the City is not to opt out of Homefield, as it is 20% less than Ameren’s rate.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Ray Botch wanted to express the good news that the City is making progress and has paid off the $2.7 million dollar loan for the water meters within a 5-year period.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Gabe Raney addressed the Council regarding congestion at 34th and Veterans and with I-57 and I-64 construction that is starting in 2025, his concern is the economic revenue that will be lost during that time and also the traffic issues. Mayor Lewis stated that the City has approved plans for stop lights at 34th and Veterans and also completing 44th and 45th Streets to help with traffic issues. The City is aware of the issues and is letting the State know of concerns and complaints
that have been received by community members. City Manager Bechtel also stated that the City has and is applying for grants to help with the cost of stop lights. Mayor Lewis stated that Mr. Raney’s concerns will be forwarded to IDOT. The Council thanked Mr. Raney for his concern and comments.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
https://www.mtvernon.com/media/gxmjcdco/10162023-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf
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