North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met April 1.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, April 1, 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 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 Journal from March 4, 2024 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 Mike Young motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,138,969.35. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, April 1, 2024

BIDS AND QUOTES

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented Bid Results on the First Street and Gee Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project. The City had three bidders for this project. The low bidder was GroundWorks Contracting in the amount of $220,515.26. Staff recommends awarding this project to the low bidder, GroundWorks Contracting.

Haier Plumbing $288,213.48

Groundworks Contracting $220,515.26

Murphy Excavation $389,790.11

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to accept the Bid Results on the First Street and Gee Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project to Groundworks Contracting in the amount of $220,515.26. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Street Closure Request for 24th Street between Logan Street and Lamar Avenue on May 25, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for a Family Reunion. Requesting Party: Imogine Miller. Staff recommendation is to approve the request.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 24th Street between Logan Street and Lamar Avenue on May 25, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for a Family Reunion. Requesting Party: Imogine Miller. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Street Closure Request for 10th Street between Newby Avenue and Cleveland Street on June 15, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the Juneteenth Parade. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Staff recommendation is to approve the request.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 10th Street between Newby Avenue and Cleveland Street on June 15, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the Juneteenth Parade. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Street Closure Request for 9th Street between Casey Avenue and Harrison Street on August 24, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the United Way and Mt. Vernon Festivals Food Truck Fest. Requesting Parties: United Way and Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Staff recommendation is to approve the request.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 9th Street between Casey Avenue and Harrison Street on August 24, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for the United Way and Mt. Vernon Festivals Food Truck Fest. Requesting Party: United Way and Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Street Closure Request for 9th Street between Casey Avenue and Jordan Street on June 1, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Staff recommendation is to approve the request.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 9th Street between Casey Avenue and Jordan Street on June 1, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Street Closure Request for 9th Street between Main Street and Harrison Street on May 4, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for Webber High School Prom. Requesting Party: Angela Schrum, Webber High School Prom Committee. Staff recommendation is to approve the request.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 9th Street between Main Street and Harrison Street on May 4, 2024 from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for Webber High School Prom. Requesting Party: Angela Schrum, Webber High School Prom Committee. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Street Closure Request for Various Streets for Mt. Vernon Fall Fest on Thursday, September 26 through Sunday, September 29. These include 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Jordan Street on Thursday, September 26; 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Broadway, Jordan Street from east side of RARE parking lot to Johnson Alley and 9th Street from Broadway to Harrison on Friday, September 27 at 7:00 a.m. until Sunday, September 29 at 2:00 p.m., Jordan Street from 10th Street to 12th Street and 11th Street from Broadway to Casey on Friday, September 27 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (possible closure for Cruise In); and Saturday, September 28 on 7th Street from Broadway to Newby for parade staging. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Staff recommendation is to approve the request.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for Various Streets for Mt. Vernon Fall Fest on Thursday, September 26 through Sunday, September 29. These include 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Jordan Street on Thursday, September 26; 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Broadway, Jordan Street from east side of RARE parking lot to Johnson Alley and 9th Street from Broadway to Harrison on Friday September 27 at 7:00 a.m. until Sunday, September 29 at 2:00 p.m., Jordan Street from 10th Street to 12th Street and 11th Street from Broadway to Casey on Friday, September 27 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (possible closure for Cruise In); and Saturday, September 28 on 7th Street from Broadway to Newby for parade staging. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Street Closure Request for 12th Street from Main Street to Broadway on April 9, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the Pressure Cleaning of First United Methodist Church. Requesting Party: Michael Ward. Staff recommendation is to approve the request.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 12th Street from Main Street to Broadway on April 9, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the Pressure Cleaning of First United Methodist Church. Requesting Party: Michael Ward. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance To Approve the Proposed Budget for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. There is a special meeting scheduled for April 2nd where the Council will be reviewing the details of the proposed budget. There will be a hearing and second reading for the final budget at the next council meeting on April 15th. Finance Director Stephanie Bailey gave the proposed budget to the Council for review. Bailey went over the highlights of the budget with the Council and answered questions. She stated that City-wide budgeted revenues are $115,474,622 with expenditures of $93,843,356. This will reduce the working fund balance to $21,640,266. There is a list of 2025 projects in the packet that will be discussed at the April 2nd meeting.

FIRST READING WAS HELD.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Article 2, Section 2.2 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. This amends Article 2, Section 2.2 updating and reorganizing the Legal Department of the City of Mt. Vernon.

Council Member Ray Botch made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance Amending Article 2, Section 2.2 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-10, an Ordinance Amending Article 2, Section 2.2 of the City’s Code of Ordinances. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 and State Route 37 on September 28, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the Fall Fest Parade. Staff recommendation is to approve this Resolution requesting permission from IDOT to close state routes for the Fall Fest Parade.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 and State Route 37 on September 28, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the Fall Fest Parade. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 and State Route 37 on December 7, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the Christmas Parade. Staff recommendation is to approve this Resolution requesting permission from IDOT to close state routes for the Christmas Parade.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 and State Route 37 on December 7, 2024 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the Christmas Parade. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 Westbound from Marlow Road to the Junction of State Route 15 and Old Route 15 at the East Edge of Mt. Vernon on July 4, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. for the Salute to Freedom Fireworks Display. Staff recommendation is to approve this Resolution requesting permission from IDOT to close state routes for the Salute to Freedom Fireworks Display.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 Westbound from Marlow Road to the Junction of State Route 15 and Old Route 15 at the East Edge of Mt. Vernon on July 4, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. for the Salute to Freedom Fireworks Display. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 37 on June 15, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the Juneteenth Parade. Staff recommends approving this Resolution for permission from IDOT to close State Route 37 for the Juneteenth Parade.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 37 on June 15, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for the Juneteenth Parade. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Authorizing Representatives to Sign Public Works Supply Loan Program Application Documents. This authorizes the City Manager and the Mayor to sign the loan application forms and documents for the IEPA Water Line Replacement Project.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Authorizing Representatives to Sign Public Works Supply Loan Program Application Documents. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Allocating Rebuild Illinois MFT Funds for Resurfacing a Portion of Fairfield Road. The City has a small amount of Rebuild Illinois Funds from this program through IDOT. This Resolution allocates the remaining $167,000.00 to the Old Fairfield Road Resurfacing Project that is scheduled to be done this summer.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Allocating Rebuild Illinois MFT Funds for Resurfacing a Portion of Fairfield Road. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Appointing Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard, P.C. to the Position of Special Assistant Corporate Counsel for the City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Attorney Courtney Cox and Attorney Philip Lading will be legal representatives for the City on contracts, FOIA reviews and responses, ordinance changes, attending council meetings, and all other legal matters not covered by the City Attorney.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Resolution Appointing Sandberg Phoenix & Von Gontard, P.C. to the Position of Special Assistant Corporate Council for the City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Appointing Jeffrey Howard of Howard, Leggans, Piercy & Howard, LLP as City Attorney for the City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Attorney Jeffrey Howard will be representing the City on matters of demolitions, zoning, annexations, and nuisance issues.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution Appointing Jeffrey Howard of Howard, Leggans, Piercy & Howard, LLP as City Attorney for the City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis stated that the City is receiving many calls and questions regarding activities in connection with the upcoming solar eclipse. Mayor Lewis asked Angela Schrum, Director of the Mt. Vernon IL Tourism Department, to speak on the subject. Schrum explained the various events going on around the City and that the website, enjoymtvernon.com has information about the different events. The solar eclipse is Monday, April 8. It starts at 12:44 p.m. with totality beginning at 2:02 p.m. and lasting 3 minutes and 44 seconds, and ending at 3:18 p.m.

CITY COUNCIL

None.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

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 7:33 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/i4rnnvpx/april-1-2024-meeting-minutes.pdf