North Egypt News

 City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Dec. 16.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, December 16, 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 the Southwest Christian Church led the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

ROLL CALL

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

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journal for December 2, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.

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

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable from December 2, 2024 and December 16, 2024 were presented to the Council for approval.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for December 2, 2024 in the amount of $5,035,798.92 and for Accounts Payable for December 16, 2024 in the amount of $2,541,249.40. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for the Demolition of the Structure Located at 1911 Broadway. Mayor Lewis explained that there has been many complaints about this property and the owners have not done anything to clean it up. The City went to Court and received a Judicial Deed to acquire this property. Mayor Lewis introduced Pam Kirkpatrick, who owns the property next door and was present to speak on the issue. She stated there are people living in the house. They are on the roof and yell at her and her clients as they are going in and out of her business, including making threats. They have stolen things from her property. There is garbage everywhere on the property. There is a tree down partially lying on the house. The garage is falling in. There are animals in and out of the house and several living behind the house. They have run electrical cords from her business and used electricity from her property. She doesn’t feel safe.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for the Demolition of the Structure Located at 1911 Broadway. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch.

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Approving an Agreement with GHD Digital for an Updated Tourism Website. This is to approve a change to the existing contract with GHD Digital to add a website for the Tourism Department. This will give them the convenience to maintain the website, change pictures, add pages, etc. It will display as a separate website. It also adds a business directory solution that can be used to enhance the promotion of vendors and sponsors. The cost is $29,340.00 and it would be paid from the Tourism budget.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve a Resolution Approving an Agreement with GHD Digital for an Updated Tourism Website. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Amending the City of Mt. Vernon Personnel Policy. The changes proposed are to bring the City’s policy in compliance with current employment laws, such as: terms of employment, reasonable accommodations, record retention, employment practices, discrimination and harassment, complaint and disciplinary procedures, absences from work, paid leave for employees in the first year of employment, part time employee time off, etc.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve a Resolution Amending the City of Mt. Vernon Personnel Policy Manual. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Approving a Change Order with JK Trotter and Sons, Inc. on the Cast Iron Pipe Replacement Phase 3 Project. This is the current water line replacement project. This change order adds in extra work performed by the contractor on S. 22nd Street, N. 7th Street, and S. 18th Street, as well as a credit for a change in the 10” water main on Old Centralia Lane. The amount of this change order is $193,903.84.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve a Resolution Approving a Change Order with JK Trotter and Sons, Inc. on the Cast Iron Pipe Replacement Phase 3 Project. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution to Induce the Redevelopment of Property Within the Route 15/Interstate 57 TIF District. The City has met with a developer, SK Mt. Vernon, LLC, who intends to build a hotel, as well as retail on South 44th Street. This Resolution establishes a date allowing eligible expenses after this date to be considered for reimbursement in a future TIF Development Agreement. Their plans are not finalized at this time, but the City is expecting the project in the second quarter 2025 and opening in 2026. They are working with Home2Suites by Hilton. This does not obligate the City to enter into an Agreement and does not obligate them to move forward with the project. This Resolution sets the date so if project moves forward and an Agreement is reached, the City will consider any expenses from the date of the Resolution.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve a Resolution to Induce the Redevelopment of Property Within the Route 15/Interstate 57 TIF District. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

CITY COUNCIL

None.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 7:16 p.m., Mayor John Lewis requested an Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) - The Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the City.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(5) - The Purchase or Lease of Real Property for the Use of the City. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch.

At 7:27 p.m., Mayor John Lewis reconvened the Regular City Council Meeting. Roll call showed present: Council Member Joe Gliosci, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Ray Botch.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:28 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/ds5kgozw/12162024-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf