Mt. Vernon City Mayor John Lewis | City of Mt. Vernon
Mt. Vernon City Mayor John Lewis | City of Mt. Vernon
City of Mt. Vernon City Council met June 3.
Here are the minutes provided by the council:
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, June 3, 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 Michael Sheets with the Meadowbrook Christian Church 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 20, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Journal as presented. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Al Cross spoke to the Council regarding property at 805 Main Street. He brought an offer from his brother, James Cross of JC Realty, Inc. , Toledo, Illinois to purchase this building for $5,000.00. Mr. Cross stated that Attorney Cheryl Whitley of Belleville, Illinois is interested in opening an office in Mt. Vernon and moving into that space once renovated. He stated that his brother is also interested in opening a real estate office in part of that building. Mr. Cross is bringing this to the Council to consider this offer. Mayor Lewis stated that the Council would take this under advisement and get back in touch with him.
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 $2,420,885.27. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the Bid Results for the Veteran’s Park and Dawson Park Overlay Parking Lot Project. There were three bidders. Staff recommendation is to award to the low bidder, Jax Asphalt, with a bid of $84,582.31.
| Jax Asphalt | Mt. Vernon, IL | $84,582.31 |
| E.T. Simonds | Carbondale, IL | $109,154.82 |
| Samron | Murphysboro, IL | $155,332.42 |
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the Bid Results for the Davidson Avenue Road Patch Project. There were six bidders. Staff recommendation is to award this bid to the low bidder, Shores Builders of Centralia, in the amount of $154,055.82.
| Rollie Excavating | Woodlawn, IL | $199,932.50 |
| Bevis Construction | Mt. Vernon, IL | $198,820.00 |
| Groundworks | Breese, IL $157,922.00 | |
| Guinzy Construction | Ashley, IL | $249,217.44 |
| Shores Builders | Centralia, IL | $154,055.82 |
| E.T. Simonds | Carbondale, IL | $260,915.79 |
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Waive Bidding and Purchase a Low Boy Trailer. This is a used low-boy trailer from Vaughan Equipment. Mike Shannon has inspected this trailer, and it is his recommendation to purchase this at a cost of $37,823.00.
Council Member Mike Young motioned to grant permission to Waive Bidding and Purchase a Low-Boy Trailer at a cost of $37,823.00. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Waive Bidding and Purchase Six Mobile Units Through the State Contract. This is for six Panasonic Toughbook computers that would be installed in police vehicles. The cost is $34,548.00 to purchase this equipment through the State of Illinois contract.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Waive Bidding and Purchase Six Mobile Units Through the State Contract at a cost of $34,548.00. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Waive Bidding and Purchase a Christmas Tree for the Downtown Park. The Downtown Park should be completed in time for the holiday season. The City is asking permission to waive the bidding to purchase a 28’ Pro Branch Tree for the Downtown Park. This tree has smart technology that has pre-programming (or custom programming), and it can be synchronized to music and sounds. The cost is $64,920.15 with the 25% discount for ordering this week. Shipping is not included. This is being funded through the Tourism Department budget.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Waive Bidding and Purchase a Christmas Tree for the Downtown Park. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for the Reconstruction of Fountain Place Drive. This road improvement is to support the Manner Polymer project. It improves Fountain Place Road from State Route 37 to the Manner Polymer property. The total estimated cost is $1.8 million. The City has received a grant through IDOT Economic Development program that will pay for 50% of the cost of the project, leaving the City’s cost at $900,000.00.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for the Reconstruction of Fountain Place Drive. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel spoke to the Council regarding naming rights for the Downtown Park. Rotary West is asking the Council to consider their organization sponsoring the playground area at the new Downtown Park. This would mean that the area would be identified by a sign showing Rotary as a sponsor of the area. City Manager Bechtel introduced Tony Iriti, representing the Rotary West organization. Mr. Iriti stated that this would be a combined sponsorship from the two rotary clubs in Mt. Vernon. The Rotary Club is offering $20,000.00 for this sponsorship. Rotary would also, as a part of their community service, help keep the area clean. Rotary is applying for a grant to help with the cost of the sponsorship. There was discussion regarding having a term limit on sponsorship and if so, the number of years of the term limit. The current offer does not list any type of term limit. Mr. Iriti stated that at this time Rotary Club would just need a letter stating that they are working with the City to make this happen. City Manager Bechtel stated she would work with Mr. Iriti on a letter so they can move forward on the grant application and then the City and Rotary Club could work together on the details.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel explained that the street closure on the agenda does not need to be addressed. She has been told by the organizer that the event has been cancelled.
ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Adopting a Revised Code of Ordinances for the City of Mt. Vernon. The City has moved the Ordinances to the website with American Legal. The Ordinances have been reorganized and Articles and Sections have been replaced with Titles and Chapters. There have been corrections made to legal referenced (ILCS), spelling, and grammar. Attorney David Leggans reviewed all the changes before his retirement.
Council Member Donte Moore made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance Adopting a Revised Code of Ordinances for the City of Mt. Vernon. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-18, an Ordinance Adopting a Revised Code of Ordinances for the City of Mt. Vernon. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Declaring Certain Property as Surplus. This Ordinance surpluses and authorizes the transfer of property at 819 S. 22nd Street, 2208 Perkins, 2212 Perkins, 2210 Perkins and 811 S. 22nd Street to the A. P. Petties Community Center, Inc. This conveyance reserves an easement at the corner of 23rd Street for a bus shelter. There is a restrictive covenant that for a period of 10 years the property shall be used only for charitable and/or educational purposes. The board has toured and inspected the property. The last inspection was Thursday, May 30th and the City has first right of refusal for a period of 10 years should the organization want to sell the property within the 10-year period. City Manager Bechtel introduced James Malone, President of A.P. Petties Community Center, Inc. Mr. Malone spoke about Mr. A.P. Petties and his contributions to the community and local government. Mr. Malone shared the vision of the A.P. Petties Community Center for the community. Mr. Malone wanted to thank the Mayor, City Manager, Dr. Osborne, Dr. Rice, Matt Flanigan and the City Council for all of the assistance that they have given in this pursuit.
Council Member Ray Botch made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance Declaring Certain Property as Surplus. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-19, an Ordinance Declaring Certain Property as Surplus. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Abstain: Moore.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Appointing Josh Herman as the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act Hearing Officer for the City of Mt. Vernon. This is the appointment of an attorney for the purpose of sitting as an Officer for any Public Service Employee Benefit Act Hearing for the period of one year.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve a Resolution Appointing Josh Herman as the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act Hearing Officer for the City of Mt. Vernon. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Approving an Agreement with IDOT Related to Illinois Route 15 Bridge Replacement. IDOT is moving forward with the redevelopment and construction of the new bridge at I-57/64 Exit 95. This agreement formalizes the City’s responsibilities and cost. The total cost of the project is $51,750,000. The City’s cost for the bridge work is about $75,000 for engineering and traffic signals at Exit 94. The City is also responsible for the cost of replacing and encasing the 10” water line at Potomac, moving the fire hydrant, maintaining the multi-use path across the interstate, maintaining the black access control fencing along the State’s ROW line, responsible for the maintenance and electrical energy at 50% for the traffic signals and the cost of illumination of the bridge maintenance and cost of energy at 100%. The City is also responsible for the maintenance and electrical use of the traffic signals at Exit 94 at 50% of the cost and illumination, maintenance, and electrical energy at 100%.
Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve a Resolution Approving an Agreement with IDOT Related to Illinois Route 15 Bridge Replacement. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Approving a Funding Agreement with Banterra Bank for the Downtown Park. This Resolution allows the City to enter into the promissory note for the loan for the construction of the downtown park. The rate is 5.53% for 7 years and the principal is $1,435,000.00
Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve a Resolution Approving a Funding Agreement with Banterra Bank for the Downtown Park. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Abstain: Gliosci.
MAYOR
None.
CITY COUNCIL
None.
VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
None.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 7:47 p.m., Mayor John Lewis requested an Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) – Sale and Lease of Real Property.
Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) – Sale and Lease of Real Property. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
At 7:54 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 Joe Gliosci motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
https://www.mtvernon.com/media/ag2bf1oz/june-3-2024-meeting-minutes.pdf
Alerts Sign-up