North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Sept. 3.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 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.

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 August 19, 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

Resident Burt Hathaway was present to address the council on several issues. Mr. Hathaway wanted to thank the Mayor and Council for taking care of items he had previously presented to the Council regarding fixing the road (Lyons Court) and the noise from Central Christian Church has gotten better. He stated that there is a portion of Route 37 by Daniels Hill that still needs to be addressed regarding the speeding and noise on that portion of the road. City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated she would again send this concern to Illinois Department of Transportation. Mr. Hathaway also asked about a city noise ordinance – loud cars, etc. and also, the trains coming through town all hours of the night with whistle blowing all the way through town. City Manager Bechtel stated that the City would send communication to them. Mayor Lewis stated that the City has talked to the railroads before, and it settled down for a while, but it is worse again. Mayor Lewis stated that the City does have a noise ordinance, and we would address the issue again.

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 $1,379,235.97. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for Improvement of 9th to 10th Street Alley behind Broadway Commons Park. This would be a resurfacing.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for Improvement of 9th to 10th Street Alley behind Broadway Commons Park. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for Second 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. This sets out formal rules and regulations of unauthorized camping on public property. City Manager Bechtel stated there have been no calls concerning this Ordinance.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-30, an Ordinance Prohibiting Unauthorized Camping on Public Property Within 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 Increasing the Number of Liquor Licenses. In reviewing the number of available licenses and considering the expansion and completion of South 44th Street, as well as other areas in Mt. Vernon, the City wants to increase the number of restaurant licenses and hotel licenses in anticipation of the attraction and expansion of the hospitality industry. This Ordinance adds two Hotel Licenses and Four Restaurant with Lounge Licenses.

Council Member Donte Moore made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance Increasing the Number of Liquor Licenses. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-31, an Ordinance Increasing the Number of Liquor Licenses. 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 Appointment of Brandon McPherson to the Tourism Board.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to accept the Appointment of Brandon McPherson to the Tourism Board. 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 Brock York to the Tourism Board.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to accept the Appointment of Brock York to the Tourism Board. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Mayor Lewis wanted to congratulate Continental Tire on their 50th year anniversary. They are a big asset for the City of Mt. Vernon, and we really appreciate them.

CITY COUNCIL

City Council Member Joe Gliosci welcomed Chad LeCrone, the new Superintendent of Mt. Vernon Township High School who was present at the council meeting.

City Council Member Ray Botch stated he wanted to congratulate Continental Tire. He stated that there were three basic people who were the driving force in getting Continental Tire (General Tire) here in Mt. Vernon. One was Mayor Rolland Lewis, Chet Lewis, and Cliff Fields from Fields, Goldman and Magee. Council Member Botch stated he got to be part of the team, as he was City Manager at the time.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 7:25 p.m., Mayor John Lewis requested an Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) – Sale and Lease of Real Property and 5 ILCS 220/2(c)(1) - Personnel.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) – Sale and Lease of Real Property and 5 ILCS 220/2(c)(1) - Personnel. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

At 8:24 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.

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 8:25 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/4wshmcvf/09032024-regular-city-council-meeting-1.pdf