North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Aug. 19.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, August 19, 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.

Pastor Randy Steele with Southwest 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, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Mike Young.

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journal from August 5, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.

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

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Mike Beard wanted to compliment the City leadership on Veterans Park. He did want to bring attention to some early concerns regarding the Park, specifically keeping it mowed and maintained and the grass, weeds, geese droppings, and other debris on and around the edges of the walking path. He did note that there was someone there today addressing these issues. He again complimented the City on the Park and all of the improvements. He also complimented the City on the work on the downtown park and the progress on it. The Mayor and Council thanked Mr. Beard for his comments and suggestions.

APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

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

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,613,878.00. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Lewis. Absent: Young.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Waive Bidding and Add Cameras to the Public Surveillance Program. This will expand and improve the existing network and add cameras at Veterans Park ($173,322.47) and add cameras on 9th and at Broadway Park ($40,192.98).

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Waive Bidding and Add Cameras to the Public Surveillance Program. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Lewis. Absent: Young.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for Road Improvements for the Fountain Place Road Project. This project is for reconstruction of Fountain Place Road, removal of the circle drive and extension of Fountain Place Road to the Manner Polymer property. Total estimated cost is about $1.8 million. The City was awarded an Economic Development Grant through the Illinois Department of Transportation for 50% and the City’s match will be about $900,000.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for Road Improvements for the Fountain Place Road Project. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Lewis. Absent: Young.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Approval of a Subdivision Preliminary and Final Plat located at Chesley Industrial Park. Petitioning Party: City of Mt. Vernon. After the construction of the industrial park, the remaining parcels were divided by the new roads making it more difficult to market the properties and full parcels. This cleans up the subdivision based on the roadways and sets the property as orderly parcels for marketing and development.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve a Subdivision Preliminary and Final Plat located at Chesley Industrial Park. Petitioning Party: City of Mt. Vernon. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Lewis. Absent: Young.

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Prohibiting Unauthorized Camping on Public Property Within the City of Mt. Vernon. This Ordinance is a recommendation from the Illinois Municipal League as a way to legally manage unauthorized camping (homeless camping) on public property.

FIRST READING ONLY.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 2 Fountain Place from B-2 to I-2. Petitioning Party: Russell Henestofel, EMH&T. FedEx has moved out and a new company is moving in. This zoning is the appropriate zoning for the type of business in the Industrial Park. This was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-28, an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 2 Fountain Place from B-2 to I-2. Petitioning Party: Russell Henestofel, EMH&T. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Lewis. Absent: Young.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 9221 E. IL Highway 15 from A-G to B-2. Petitioning Party: Tracy St. Clair. The owners want to sell this property. This parcel does not meet the lot size for Agricultural zoning and B-2 is the appropriate zoning. This was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-29, an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 9221 E. IL Highway 15 from A-G to B-2. Petitioning Party: Tracy St. Clair. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Lewis. Absent: Young.

MAYOR

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

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to accept the Appointment of Chris Yenne to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Commission. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Lewis. Absent: Young.

Mayor John Lewis presented for the advice and consent of the City Council the Appointment of Chris Yenne to the 911 Board.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to accept the Appointment of Chris Yenne to the 911 Board. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, and Lewis. Absent: Young.

Mayor John Lewis stated there was a wonderful proclamation on Sunday, August 18 at Central Christian Church for Ms. Linola Spann. August 10, 2024 was proclaimed as Linola Spann Day. She has done so much for the community, including starting the backpack giveaway program.

CITY COUNCIL

None.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/ambha3ac/08192024-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf