North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Feb. 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, February 5, 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 Brian Fuller with the First Baptist Church of Woodlawn 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 Journals from January 2, 2024 and January 16, 2024 Regular Council Meetings were presented for approval.

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

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Gloria McKiness spoke to the Council about her property. She had received a letter from the City requiring her to clean up her yard. She stated that the weather has been bad, and she could not get it cleaned up in the time period given. Attorney David Leggans stated that the City had sent a letter with a time limit and had allowed additional time. He stated that the City could allow an extension if a person indicates a willingness to clean up the property and has a good reason for the extension. Ms. McKiness also stated there is a place on 23rd Street where a cover is off or something on the road. Mayor Lewis stated that the Street Department would look into that issue.

APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

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

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,477,716.57. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids on the CDBG Sanitary Sewer Lining Project. City Manager Bechtel stated that the total project is $746,000.00. The grant amount is $483,309.00, with a match of $263,000.00. This will line 15,269 linear feet in various locations South of Broadway.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids on the CDBG Sanitary Sewer Lining Project. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids on the First Street and Gee Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project. City Manager Bechtel stated the City was not able to line this portion in the IEPA project and it needs to be replaced soon as it is beginning to collapse. This is approximately 834 linear feet. The estimated cost is approximately $350,000.00 to $400,000.00.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids on the First Street and Gee Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for the Replacement of the Garage Roof on the Fleet Services/Maintenance Building located on 12th Street.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for the Replacement of the Garage Roof on the Fleet Services/Maintenance Building. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Quotes for the Financing of the Downtown Park. This is the 911 Broadway Redevelopment Project. This project will be paid for from the Downtown TIF increment.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to Seek Quotes for the Financing of the Downtown Park. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Go Out For Bid for the Construction of the Downtown Park. The green space within the one-acre park is estimated to cost about $2.3 million and will be funded through the Downtown TIF District. Mayor Lewis stated that the downtown community is excited about this project.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Go Out for Bid for the Construction of the Downtown Park. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney David Leggans presented a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Ready Rebound. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that this service is for employees and their family members who have an injury. It is a medical concierge service that coordinates quick access for management of medical treatment for injuries. This is a one-year contract for $19,043.00. The Police, Fire, and Public Works employees have used this the most and there are high satisfaction rates for this service from our employees. It is not mandatory that employees use this service. This will be paid from the City Health Insurance Fund.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Resolution Approving An Agreement with Ready Rebound. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Attorney David Leggans presented a Resolution to Amend the City of Mt. Vernon Loss Prevention Program. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechel explained that this is to update the Loss Prevention Program for the City of Mt. Vernon for consistency and compliance within the State.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution to Amend the City of Mt. Vernon Loss Prevention Program. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis stated that one of the most gratifying things that the Council and Mayor are able to do is to honor our First Responders. Mayor Lewis introduced Police Chief Trent Page to present the Officer of the Year Award. Chief Page stated there were four nominees for the 2023 Officer of the Year that were quite deserving of this award, which included Officer Bryan Morlan, Officer Zachary Jines, and Officer Remington Paris. Chief Page then stated this year, the Officer of the Year Award goes to Officer Tyler Norris. Captain Travis Chapman and Sargent Bruce McDonald nominated Officer Norris citing his exceptional work performance this year and his drive to become a better officer. Chief Page stated that he has been a great asset to the Department. He spends a lot of time and his own money going to training seminars. He is also a field training officer for the Police Department, a member of the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System Tactical Team, and a member of the High-Risk Team. He has been instrumental in training new officers. Chief Page then introduced Officer Tyler Norris. Office Norris thanked everyone for coming out. He stated that becoming Officer of the Year is something that he had thought about even before he became an Officer, being someone who goes above and beyond for their department, the community, and squad mates. He said he always wanted to be that person and now he feels the responsibility that comes with it going forward. He thanked his squad mates for pushing him to be the best officer he can be.

CITY COUNCIL

Council Member Ray Botch wanted to remind the public about the Citizens Police Academy to be held on February 24 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration can be done online. Police Chief Page noted that there have been 25 people signed up with a possibility of 10 additional persons to sign up.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 7:23 p.m. Mayor John Lewis requested an Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2 (c)(5) – The Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the City; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) – Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Real Property Owned by the City; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) – The Appointment and Employment of Personnel; and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) – Litigation.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) – The Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the City; 5 ILCS 120/2/(c)(6) – Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Real Property Owned by the City; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) – The Appointment and Employment of Personnel, and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(11) – Litigation. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

At 8:06 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 Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/r4sletv4/february-5-2024-meeting-minutes.pdf