North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Jan. 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 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 Daniel Nalley with Gospel Encounter Ministries 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 December 18, 2023 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

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 $1,119,521.49. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Regular City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 2, 2024

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids on South 44th Street Phase II Frontage Road Construction and Improvement of Ilberry Road and Heritage Avenue Project. The estimated cost is about $3.6 million. The City has not heard from the State of Illinois regarding the $2 million requested. However, the City is ready to move forward with this project and construction can begin this year.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids on South 44th Street Phase II Frontage Road Construction and Improvement of Ilberry Road and Heritage Avenue Project. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel asked Chief Trent Page with the Mt. Vernon Police Department to come forward with an announcement. Chief Page stated that for this year for the Citizens Police Academy, instead of four two-hour sessions, it will be held on one day in an eight-hour session. The scheduled date is Saturday, February 24, beginning at 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The hope is this will make this program more accessible for everyone. There is more information regarding the Police Academy and how to enroll on the City of Mt. Vernon and the Mt. Vernon Police Department websites.

CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney David Leggans presented for Second Reading of an Ordinance to Increase the Number of Package Sales Liquor Licenses. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated this Ordinance would increase the number from eight to nine licenses. There has been an inquiry, however, no application has been received at this time. The applicant will have to apply and meet the requirements and background checks.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-01, an Ordinance Increasing the Number of Package Sales Liquor Licenses. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Attorney David Leggans presented a Resolution Accepting a Quote for Schulte Supply, Inc. for the Lead Service Survey. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the City has about 1,000 accounts (residential and commercial) that have not completed the lead service survey.

There have been several mailers sent out to encourage compliance that did not work, so, this is the next step. This is the sole source that the City is aware of that will contact each customer by phone and to physically visit each customer to try to help them complete the survey. Staff recommendation is to accept this quote of $29,940.00 and award this to Schulte Supply, Inc. to try completing this mandatory survey. This is another effort on behalf of the City to be in compliance with the Illinois EPA on the lead service survey for the City of Mt. Vernon.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Resolution Accepting a Quote for Schulte Supply, Inc. for Lead Service Survey. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

MAYOR

Mayor Lewis stated he hoped everyone had a great Christmas and is hoping everyone has a good New Year.

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 Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:16 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/zocni5ff/01022024-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf