North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Nov. 4.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, November 4, 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 Bumper Quick with West Salem Trinity Methodist Church led the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

ROLL CALL

The roll call showed present: Council Member Joe Gliosci, Council Member Mike Young and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Ray Botch and Council Member Donte Moore.

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journal for October 21, 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: Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Moore.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Mayor Lewis introduced visitors, Rebeccah McConnaughay and Lynn Foreman with YouthBuild of South Central Illinois to speak about their program. Ms. McConnaughay stated that this program helps young people from the ages of 16 to 24 get their GED and vocational experience in construction, customer service, and sales. They currently have a house in Centralia that was donated to them that the students are rebuilding. When completed, the house will be sold back to the community to a low income family. That money then goes back into the program, which is funded by the Department of Labor. YouthBuild helps participants obtain jobs in the community. This is a six month program, and in addition, twelve months of aftercare is provided.

Mayor Lewis thanked them for coming to the meeting and sharing this information with the Council and the citizens.

APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

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

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $3,174,586.93. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Moore.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel introduced Finance Director Stephanie Bailey to present the 2024 audit to the Council. City Manager Bechtel stated the City does have a clean audit and there were no findings.

Finance Director Bailey then came forward to present the results from the audit. A copy of the full audit report was given to the Council. Bailey stated that the General Fund had a total revenue of $22,276,482, and total expenditures of $25,040,310.

This year the City’s total governmental activities amounted to $45.4 million in the fiscal year 2024. The largest revenue category is taxes, which amounted to $36.4 million. In fiscal year 2024, 68% of all taxes came from sales tax collections. $4.7 million of total revenue was derived from program revenue, which consists of charges for services, federal and state grants, and other contributions.

Total governmental activities expenses amounted to $33.5 million in fiscal year 2024. The City's largest program expenditures comprised of general government (52%) and public safety (29%). The graph below presents the cost of each of the City's expenditures-general government, public safety (police and fire), public works, culture and recreation, and community development, as well as capital outlay and interest expenses.

The City's overall General Fund revenues increased by $2.6 million (13%) in fiscal year 2024. The increase in revenue comes from the increased taxes collected. In addition, expenditures from the General Fund increased by $2.5 million (15%) in fiscal year 2024.

Overall revenues from business-type activities increased by 5% from the prior year. The increase comes from charges for services. Expenses Total expenses from business-type activities increased by 2%.

The City's overall General Fund revenues increased by $2.6 million (13%) in fiscal year 2024. The increase in revenue comes from the increased taxes collected. In addition, expenditures from the General Fund increased by $2.5 million (15%) in fiscal year 2024.

The total fund balance for the Quality-of-Life fund decreased by $4.0 million (47%) from the prior year's total fund balance. This decrease is primarily due to the building of the Police Station.

The fund balance for the Home Rule Tax fund increased by $1.5 million (38%).

The City's Water Fund net position increased by $2,486,681 million, with revenues of $5,391,410 and expenses $5,178,010 during the fiscal year. Ending Cash Balance $4,301,079.

The City's Sewer Fund net position increased by $663,429 which is a minimal movement from the prior year's net position. Revenues of $4,018,093 while expenditures were at $4,004,790 during the fiscal year. Ending Cash Balance $4,116,996.

The City's Sanitation Fund net position increased by $72,286 which also is minimal movement from the prior year's net position. Revenues of $1,389,269 and expenses of $1,324,527 during the fiscal year. Ending Cash Balance $178,039.

The City's self-insured Health Insurance Fund, which is considered an "Internal Service Fund," had an increase in net position of $27,908, which is a minimal movement from the prior year's net position. Ending Cash Balance $3,105,620.

Bailey briefly went over the Pensions. The City of Mt Vernon has three pensions:

1. IMRF Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund 98.77% Funded

2. Police Pension Fund 54.68 % Funded

3. Fire Pension Fund 54.15 % Funded

All of which are funded by the employee, the employer and gains on investment earnings. Each year an amount is given to the City by the Department of Insurance that has a required schedule of contributions to ensure 90% funded by 2040. The Pension Actuarial Evaluation provides the City with the amount for the Police and Fire Levy. The difference between the two is supplemented by the City of Mt Vernon's Pension Sales Tax Fund.

Finance Director Bailey reported the following regarding loans:

Bonds $31,441,352 balance, with $2,272,613 relieved from Fiscal Year 2023. Loans Payable $634,993 relieved from Fiscal Year 2023.

Mayor Lewis asked Bailey what the actuaries had determined the City’s contribution to fire and police pensions. Bailey stated that we don’t know yet but should have this information soon.

Mayor Lewis also asked in the 5 year projections, what is the cause of the big decrease from fiscal year 2028 to 2029. Bailey stated that this is anticipating flat revenue or the revenue going down because of the interstate closure.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel stated that this does not include the projections for the parks and recreation development that the City has been discussing with the public.

Council Members thanked Finance Director Bailey for the report.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve and accept the 2024 Audit. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Moore.

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance to Amend the Prior Ordinance and to Increase the EPA Sewer Loan. This Ordinance will increase the IEPA sewer loan amount to cover all of the expenses/costs of the project to $5,447,717.51. This loan is for mid town relining, Maple Street force main replacement, Wagner Road force main replacement, sewer plant inlet, and other sewer replacement and relining. The City increased this to $5.1 million for after COVID estimates, and the project still came in over budget due to unforeseen costs. The loan forgiveness is $1,526,579.34. The loan interest rate is 0.83% for 20 years. The final loan amount will be $3,921,138.

Council Member Joe Gliosci made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance to Amend the Prior Ordinance and to Increase the EPA Sewer Loan. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Moore.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-38, an Ordinance to Amend the Prior Ordinance and to Increase the EPA Sewer Loan. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the City Code Related to the Police Department. The City is asking for a change in the Ordinance to allow up to four (4) Captains in the Police Department. This would add a Support Operations and Professional Standards position for the handling of all matters pertaining to found and seized property, conducting internal affairs investigations, acting as quartermaster and supervising crime scenes and lab personnel, records and FOIA personnel, abate officer, technology personnel, and doing background checks for patrol candidates. With these changes in the Ordinance, it gives the Chief of Police flexibility regarding the assignment to this position: Captain, Sergeant or Corporal.

Council Member Mike Young made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance Amending the City Code Related to the Police Department. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Moore.

City Council Member Gliosci asked if this is creating a new position. City Manager Bechtel stated yes, it is a new position that can be filled by a captain, sergeant or a corporal.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve Ordinance #2024-39, an Ordinance Amending the City Code Related to the Police Department. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Releasing Mobile Home Restrictive Covenant at 412, 416, and 420 Herbert Street. This deed was transferred at a time when the City did not allow mobile homes in the City and this restriction was added to the deed. Now, that restriction has been changed and we want to remove this restriction from this deed in order for a mobile home to be placed on this property.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve a Resolution Releasing Mobile Home Restrictive Covenant at 412, 416 and 420 Herbert Street. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution to Resurface Fairfield Road from Stinson Road to Marysville Lane using IDOT Funds. This Resolution is for the State of Illinois showing that we are obligating $167,803 of Rebuild Illinois Motor Fuel Tax as well as $132,197 from the City’s Motor Fuel Tax funds or as much as may be needed for the proposed improvement. The balance of the cost of this project will be about $450,000 from IDOT FAU funds allocation only for the maintenance of this road. Total cost is about $733,000. It will be a 2025 project.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve a Resolution to Resurface Fairfield Road from Stinson to Marysville Lane using IDOT Funds. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Perry Ridge Landfill, Inc. for Non-hazardous Waste Disposal. The City has an annual contract with Perry Ridge Landfill for disposal of the Waste Water Treatment Plant waste. This is a one-year contract and the cost increased by $2.00 per ton to $27.00 per ton. This agreement ends October, 2025. Based on last year’s figures, this will increase the cost by about $3,200.00.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve a Resolution Approving an Agreement with Perry Ridge Landfill, Inc. for Non-hazardous Waste Disposal. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Authorizing the Illinois Telecommunicator Emergency Response Task Force Agreement. With the approval of this Resolution the City will apply to be an active member with the Illinois Telecommunicator Emergency Response Task Force. This is a group of trained telecommunicators that may respond or assist other local governments when natural or man-made emergencies happen, and their local resources are not enough to manage the calls. This also gives the City the option to request assistance if we have a disaster that requires more manpower than we have available to manage call volume. There is some additional training required, and this is all voluntary on the part of the City and the telecommunicator about participating and responding to calls for additional manpower.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve a Resolution Authorizing the Illinois Telecommunicator Emergency Response Task Force Agreement. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Moore.

MAYOR

Mayor Lewis wanted to remind citizens to go vote tomorrow. This is one of the most important days in our nation.

CITY COUNCIL

City Council Member Gliosci thanked Rebeccah McConnaughay and Lynn Foreman for attending the council meeting and sharing information with the Council and community.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/qfrl1omf/11042024-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf