North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Oct. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, October 7, 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 Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Joe Gliosci.

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journals for September 16, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting and September 24, 2024 City Council Workshop were presented for approval.

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

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 $2,289,024.60. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Waive Bidding and Purchase Furniture for the Downtown Park. Landscape Forms is the company recommended by the architect for the outdoor furniture in the Broadway Commons Park in Downtown Mt. Vernon. The quote showing quantity and prices was given to the Council. It includes table, chairs, harvest tables and benches, and lounge chairs. Staff requests to waive the bidding and purchase the outdoor furniture from Landscape Forms in the amount of $85,576.00.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Waive Bidding and Purchase Furniture for the Downtown Park from Landscape Forms in the amount of $85,576.00. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for the Construction of Manholes in the US EPA Community Grant Project Area. The City has about 20 locations in the system that it will not be able to video or reline unless manholes are added. The City requests permission to bid this work and it is expected to cost about $150,000.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for the Construction of Manholes in the US EPA Community Grant Project Area. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 14650 E. Loyola Road from R-1 to R-M2. Petitioning Party: Marjorie Schwartz. The owner wants to place a manufactured home on the property. The Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed and approved the rezoning.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-33, an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 14650 E. Loyola Road from R-1 to R-M2. Petitioning Party: Marjorie Schwartz. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the City Code Relating to Limitations on Maximum Cash or Non-cash Prizes. At this time there is a $5,000 limit on raffles. The City is proposing to remove the limits on raffles within the City.

Council Member Donte Moore made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance Amending the City Code Relating to Limitations on Maximum Cash or Non-cash Prizes. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-34, an Ordinance Amending the City Code Relating to Limitations on Maximum Cash or Non-cash Prizes. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Amending City Code and Creating Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas (DORA). This Ordinance would allow the dining and drinking establishments within the downtown designated area to sell alcohol for outdoor consumption within a designated area in the downtown area during the time of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. There are several requirements including alcohol must be served in DORA approved and branded cups and visitors cannot bring in their own alcohol for outdoor consumption.

FIRST READING ONLY.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Adopting International Building Codes 2021 with Exceptions. The City is currently using IBC 2006, and the State of Illinois has passed legislation that requires the City to update its building codes. This Ordinance adopts IBC 2021 with exceptions to remove the requirement of sprinkler systems on new single family residential houses.

FIRST READING ONLY.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Utility Relocation Agreement. Shawnee Solar is installing a solar field at 700 Block of Newby Ave. This is an agreement between Shawnee Solar and Milano Rail (the property owner) and the City. They are going to pay for the materials and the City is going to relocate a water line to the west side of the property on a new easement and the City will terminate the existing easement on the property. This is for the accommodation of the project.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve a Resolution Authorizing Execution of a Utility Relocation Agreement. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis relinquished his time to City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel.

City Manager Bechtel introduced McKenzie May, the City’s new Director of Parks and Recreation. Bechtel gave some background information on Ms. May and the future of the Parks and Recreation Department. Director May spoke briefly to the Council regarding this opportunity and her excitement to be back in her hometown and to begin implementing new programs and planning for the future. City Manager Bechtel stated there will be an Open House at the Rolland Lewis Building on October 9th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and the public will have a chance to meet May. The public can also hear about the results of the survey and the future plans for Veterans Park and Lincoln Park and the market study for the planned indoor recreation facility.

City Manager Bechtel stated that “Meet the Chiefs” is Tuesday, October 15th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. There have been several staff changes because of recent retirements, and this gives the public a chance to meet Police Chief Robert Brands, Assistant Police Chief Travis Chapman, Fire Chief Chris Yenne and Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Jennings.

City Manager Bechtel informed the public that the City has set fall leaf burning beginning Monday, October 14 through Sunday, October 20.

City Manager Bechtel stated the electronic recycling for residents of Mt. Vernon will be Saturday, October 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 1201 Casey Avenue.

CITY COUNCIL

Council Member Donte Moore stated that he likes the idea of the “Meet the Chiefs” and is glad to see this event. Council Member Moore also stated that there has been a lot of talk about the Parks Department and that citizens should make a point to come to the meeting at the Rolland Lewis Building on Wednesday, October 9 and get the information from that meeting.

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, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Gliosci.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:19 p.m.

 https://www.mtvernon.com/media/npfhqzd5/10072024-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf