North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met May 20.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, May 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 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 Journal from May 6, 2024 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, 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 Donte Moore motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $2,655,070.09. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

BIDS AND QUOTES

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the Bid Results for the Financing of the Downtown Park. There were five quotes for this financing, with one being submitted too late to consider. The loan amount will be $1,435,000 for a period of seven years. Banterra Bank had the lowest quote of 5.53% with no fees. The recommendation is to accept the quote from Banterra Bank.

Banterra Bank	5.53%
Community First Bank	5.49% plus $1000 loan documentation fee
First Mid Bank & Trust	6.25% (5.95% with $500,000 deposit)
Peoples National Bank	$5.89%
Legence Bank	Quote submitted too late to consider

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to accept the Bid Results for the Financing of the Downtown Park from Banterra Bank with no fees at 5.53%. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Abstain: Gliosci.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for the Citywide Pavement Striping Project. This is a project that is done annually.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for the Citywide Pavement Striping Project. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for the Citywide Asphalt Overlay Project.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for the Citywide Asphalt Overlay Project. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for a Hotbox for Road Patching.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for a Hotbox for Road Patching. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for a Large Concrete Saw.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for a Large Concrete Saw. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Quotes for the Refurbishing of a Fire Truck.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Seek Quotes for the Refurbishing of a Fire Truck. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property. She stated this is for city lots that the City has acquired through the demolition process, the Municipal West building, the DMDC building, and the Papa Joes property.

Council Member Donte Moore made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-15, an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 17471 E. Fairfield Road from A-G to R-1. Petitioning Party: Raymond McKinney. Mr. McKinney wants to build a shop on his property, and it doesn’t meet the lot requirements for A-G zoning. This was approved by Planning and Zoning 4-0.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-16, an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 17471 E. Fairfield Road from A-G to R-1. Petitioning Party: Raymond McKinney. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented an Ordinance Granting Conditional Use to Allow a Shipping Container as Accessory Use at 201 Potomac. Petitioning Party: Quality Inn. This is for compliance with the zoning for using shopping containers as storage. This was approved by Planning and Zoning 4-0.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-17, an Ordinance Granting Conditional Use to Allow a Shipping Container as Accessory Use at 201 Potomac. Petitioning Party: Quality Inn. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. No: Botch

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Approval of a Subdivision Preliminary and Final Plat at 1300 Park Avenue. Petitioning Party: Carey Lipps. Mr. Lipps has a buyer for a portion of this property and is subdividing to sell that portion.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve a Subdivision Preliminary and Final Plat at 1300 Park Avenue. Petitioning Party: Carey Lipps. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution to Add the Finance Director as a Designated Officer to the City Corporate Credit Card Program. At this time only one employee is a signatory and designated officer on the City of Mt. Vernon Corporate Credit Card. This adds the City of Mt. Vernon Finance Director to have authority and as a designated officer.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve a Resolution to Add the Finance Director as a Designated Officer to the City Corporate Credit Card Program. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis presented for the advice and consent of the City Council the Reappointment of Michael Koehnke to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to accept the Reappointment of Michael Koehnke to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Mayor John Lewis presented for the advice and consent of the City Council the Reappointment of James Malone to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to accept the Reappointment of James Malone to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Mayor John Lewis presented for the advice and consent of the City Council the Reappointment of Sean Featherstun to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to accept the Reappointment of Sean Featherstun to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Mayor John Lewis presented for the advice and consent of the City Council the Reappointment of Rolland Mays to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to accept the Reappointment of Rolland Mays to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Mayor John Lewis presented for the advice and consent of the City Council the Reappointment of Gregory Graves to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to accept the Reappointment of Gregory Graves to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Mayor John Lewis presented for the advice and consent of the City Council the Appointment of Mary McGreer to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to accept the Appointment of Mary McGreer to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Mayor John Lewis wanted to congratulate Chief Trent Page on the exemplary and excellent work he has done leading the Police Department and keeping us safe. Mayor Lewis stated that he appreciates the way Chief Page has led the department and believes that this is one of the most professional departments in Southern Illinois and Chief Page has the City’s gratitude. City Council Member Ray Botch stated that Chief Page does a fantastic job at conducting the Police Academy. Mayor Lewis added that Chief Page was very instrumental in the building of the new police facility.

CITY COUNCIL

City Council Member Donte Moore wanted to thank Jefferson County for what was done in the food drive for Angels on Assignment. Jefferson County collected 9,200 pounds of non-perishable food items to go to the food pantries. We collected more than anyone else in the State. Thank you to everyone that participated in that.

City Council Member Moore also wanted to say thank you to Chief Page from all the people who advocated for him as he became Chief of Police. The way he has conducted himself in the community and the relationships he has developed is very much appreciated.

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)(6) – Sale and Lease of Real Property; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, Employment of Personnel; and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase of Real Property.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) – Sale and Lease of Real Property; 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(1) Appointment, Employment of Personnel; and 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) Purchase of Real Property. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

At 8:10 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 Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/ewnn4h2n/may-20-2024-meeting-minutes.pdf