North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Feb. 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 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 Bumper Quick with the West Salem Trinity United Methodist Church led the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

ROLL CALL

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

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journal from February 5, 2024 Regular Council Meetings was presented for approval.

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

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Citizen Burt Hathaway spoke to the Council regarding the condition of Lyons Court where he lives. He also spoke about the condition of Route 37 where it turns at Lyons Court. Mayor Lewis stated the City will have an engineer check on the condition of Lyons Court. Route 37 is a state highway and City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the City would alert the State. Mr. Hathaway also spoke about the traffic and people speeding. Mayor Lewis stated that speeding is a problem all over the City and there have been many complaints. The Police Department is addressing these issues. Mr. Hathaway also spoke to the Council regarding the noise from music and concerts held at Central Christian Church. He asked if the City has an ordinance regarding noise. He stated that when the Church has music playing, it rattles the windows in his house. City Manager Bechtel stated that the City will look into these issues. Mayor Lewis and Council Members thanked Mr. Hathaway for his comments.

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 $1,662,088.43. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Approval of a Subdivision Preliminary and Final Plat for Rushing Subdivision. Cory Rushing, the owner of ABC Storage, wants to build a house located west of Mt. Vernon with frontage on State Route 15. Kyle Lansdowne with Round Table Design stated that the property had an old house and storage units and was originally zoned AG (Agriculture). It needed to be subdivided to create a residential lot for a home. The owner is then keeping the storage units and it is being rezoned for business. City Manager Bechel stated this was recommended for approval 4-0 by the Planning and Zoning Commission. Staff recommendation is to approve the subdivision.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Subdivision Preliminary and Final Plat for Rushing Subdivision. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney David Leggans presented an Ordinance Rezoning Property at IL Highway 37 North from A-G to B-2. Petitioning Party: Jake Flentge. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that Mr. Flentge is purchasing a 2-acre lot on State Route 37, and he wants to build storage units. Planning and Zoning approved this 4-0. This is an undeveloped lot with no address at this time.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-03, an Ordinance Approving Rezoning Property at IL Highway 37 North from A-G to B-2. Petitioning Party: Jake Flentge. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

City Attorney David Leggans presented an Ordinance Approving Rezoning Property at 9391 East IL Highway 15 from A-G to R-1. Petitioning Party: Cory Rushing. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated this rezoning is related to Item 9A. This would be for the residential parcel. Planning and Zoning approved this 4-0.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-04, an Ordinance Approving Rezoning at 9391 East IL Highway 15 from A-G to R-1. Petitioning Party: Cory Rushing. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

City Attorney David Leggans presented an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 9391 East IL Highway 15 from A-G to B-2. Petitioning Party: Cory Rushing. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated this rezoning is also related to Item 9A. This would be for the storage building and business. Planning and Zoning approved this 4-0.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-05, an Ordinance Approving Rezoning Property at 9391 East IL Highway 15 from A-G to B-2. Petitioning Party: Cory Rushing. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

City Attorney David Leggans presented an Ordinance Approving a Conditional Use for a Moving and Storage Operation at IL Highway 37 North. Petitioning Party: Jake Flentge. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this is the Conditional Use for Mr. Flentge to build the storage units. Planning and Zoning approved this 4-0.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-06, an Ordinance Approving a Conditional Use for a Moving and Storage Operation at IL Highway 37 North. Petitioning Party: Jake Flentge. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

City Attorney David Leggans presented a Resolution Approving an Agreement for Services with Planning Design Studio LLC. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that this is for a market study and master plan for development at Veterans Park and Lincoln Park. This base agreement is for $69,500.00. They are going to do a mail survey. Staff recommend adding the Online Survey for an additional $4,000.00 and a Fundraising Brochure for an additional $6,000.00 for a total of $79,500.00.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Approving An Agreement for Services with Planning Design Studio LLC. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

City Attorney David Leggans presented a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement for Supplemental Services with Gonzalez Companies, LLC. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechel explained this is for work for the final engineering for the road improvement and storm sewer at Fountain Place from State Route 37 to the Manner Polymer property for $60,345.00. They have submitted a grant application to IDOT for an Economic Development Grant to cover 50% of the cost. Estimated cost is $1.8 million. The City’s match will be $900.000.00.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Resolution Authorizing an Agreement for Supplemental Services with Gonzalez Companies, LLC. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

City Attorney David Leggans presented a Resolution Approving an Increase of Water Rates to the Village of Woodlawn, Village of Bluford, Dix-Kell Water Commission, Village of Belle Rive, Village of Waltonville, and Northeast Water Company. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that this is a Resolution to increase water rates. Although RLCD will not fix the water rate increase until the end of February, the City must notify the water districts by the end of February. The increase in this Resolution is .13 (13 cents) per 1000 gallons.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Resolution Approving an Increase of Water Rates to the Village of Woodlawn, Village of Bluford, Dix-Kell Water Commission, Village of Belle Rive, Village of Waltonville, and Northeast Water Company. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

MAYOR

None.

CITY COUNCIL

Council Member Ray Botch stated that there were 42 people who signed up for the Citizens Police Academy. It is this Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 7:35 p.m., Mayor John Lewis requested an Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) – Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Real Property Owned by the City.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) – Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Real Property Owned by the City. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

At 7:49 p.m., Mayor John Lewis reconvened the Regular City Council Meeting. Roll call showed present: Council Member Ray Botch, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Joe Gliosci.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/scndryui/february-20-2024-meeting-minutes.pdf