North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met Jan. 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mt. Vernon Police Department, 600 S. 27th Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Pastor Bumper Quick with the West Salem Trinity Methodist Church led the Invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

ROLL CALL

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

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journal for December 16, 2024 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.

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

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Mayor John Lewis introduced Mt. Vernon Airport Director Chris Collins. Mr. Collins introduced Commissioners Marty Cox, Gary Chesney and Greg Martin who were also present. They were in attendance at the meeting to make a presentation to the Mayor and Council. He stated there has recently been six million dollars in airport improvements which was mostly from federal and state funding sources. One of the biggest projects was the replacement of all of the runway and taxiway lights. Director Collins and Commissioners presented Council Members with 1960’s era incandescent lights that had been rewired. He stated they wanted to show appreciation for the strong partnership that they share with the City. Mayor Lewis and Council thanked them for coming and for the lights. Mayor Lewis stated that he and the Council appreciate all of the work that has been done at the airport.

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 $1,056,967.12. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

BIDS AND QUOTES

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented Bid Results for the Construction of Traffic Signals at South 34th Street and Veterans Memorial Drive. The City received one bid from Brown Electric in the amount of $435,621.83. The staff recommendation is to award the bid to Brown Electric.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission to accept the Bid Results for the Construction of Traffic Signals at South 34th Street and Veterans Memorial Drive from Brown Electric in the amount of $435,621.83. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel requested permission to Seek Bids for the 45th Street and Broadway Water Main Replacement. This is a water line replacement and relocation required by IDOT for the reconstruction of the overpass of Exit 95. The City is required to move the water line and replace it.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for the 45th Street and Broadway Water Main Replacement. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 2504/12506 N. Sparrow Lane from A-G to R-3. Petitioning Party: John Dalton. This is to correct zoning for the existing structures and for the potential construction of additional apartments on Sparrow Road. This was approved by Planning and Zoning.

Council Member Ray Botch asked Mr. Dalton how many apartments were planned. Mr. Dalton stated there is room on that plot for a fourplex.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve Ordinance #2025-01, an Ordinance Rezoning Property 2504/12506 N. Sparrow Lane from A-G to R-3. Petitioning Party: John Dalton. Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution in Support of the Extension of the Route 15/I-57 Tax Increment Financing District (TIF). TIF is a main tool for attracting businesses and projects to Mt. Vernon. This TIF was established in 2010 for 23 years to 2033. As these terms get short (within 8 years) it is more difficult to compete on projects. The City is interested in extending the term of this TIF for an additional 12 years to 2045, which gives the City a full 20 years. The approval of the extension must go to the State of Illinois legislature for approval.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve a Resolution in Support of the Extension of the Route 15/I-57 Tax Increment Financing District (TIF). Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore. Resolution #2025-01.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution in Support of the Extension of the Industrial Conservation Area Tax Increment Financing District (TIF). This district is on the west side of the interstate. Chesley Industrial Park is in that district. This would also extend this TIF to 2045 (to 20 years). The City believes this is something that needs to be continued to be competitive with other communities and states to attract projects and investment in Mt. Vernon.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve a Resolution in Support of the Extension of the Industrial Conservation Area Tax Increment Financing District (TIF). Seconded by Council Member Ray Botch. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore. Resolution #2025- 02.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis stated that one of the things that he loves to do as Mayor is recognize our first responders. He then introduced Police Chief Robert Brands. Chief Brands stated that one of the best things that he has the privilege of doing is awarding Officer of the Year. This is done every year. They accept nominations for officers to be considered. An awards committee receives and reviews those nominations and then vote. The requirements are that any sworn officer of the Mt. Vernon Police Department who has demonstrated outstanding skill, ability and professionalism in the performance of his or her assigned duties is eligible for this award. Officers nominated for this award must display a combination of the following qualifications and characteristics: outstanding contribution to the police force, exceptional knowledge and ability to complete job functions, overall productivity, civic contributions, and professional appearance and demeanor. This year there were four nominees. Officers Brenton Deadmond, Michael Gray, and Michael Wilson were three of the nominees who are all very deserving of the award. The awards committee awarded Officer of the Year to Detective Brylan Morlan. Detective Sargent Kevin Jackson nominated Detective Brylan Morlan due to his continued proactive approach to law enforcement and his thorough work ethic. Detective Morlan has previously been nominated for Officer of the Year for the same reasons and has not shown any signs of slowing down. He is consistently proactive and always looking for work. Detective Morlan begins his shift by updating his assigned reports and following up on them. He willingly helps other detectives when he is able. He is a well-rounded detective, is passionate about his work, and his above-average performance shows in his work. Detective Morlan has been an asset to this department in assisting with the training of new officers, joining the high risk team, becoming EAO certified, becoming a firearms instructor, and being assigned to the Detective Division. He is an officer that others can look up to and have depended on since his hire date. This is the fourth time Officer Morlan has been nominated and that just means he has been consistently at the top level. Everyone felt he was very deserving to be Officer of the Year for 2024. Chief Brands then brought Officer Morlan forward and presented him with the award. Officer Morlan thanked his family, fellow officers and everyone for coming.

Mayor Lewis thanked Officer Morlan again for his service.

CITY COUNCIL

None.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Chief Robert Brands stated that Citizens Police Academy will be held on Saturday, March 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is information on the website regarding registration. Also, the Mt. Vernon Police Department is currently accepting applications and will have testing on February 15.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 7:21 p.m., Mayor John Lewis requested an Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) – Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the City.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(6) – Setting of a Price for Sale or Lease of Property Owned by the City. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

At 7:47 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 Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Donte Moore.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/y34n0l3g/01212025-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf