North Egypt News

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

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025 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 the First Baptist Church of Woodlawn 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 Journals for January 6, 2025 and January 21, 2025 Regular City Council Meetings were presented for approval.

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

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 Ray Botch motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,457,523.01. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

None.

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property. This includes twenty-one vacant lots, old parking meters, and a printer.

Council Member Ray Botch made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve Ordinance #2025-02, an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Approving a Pipeline Crossing Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company. This is in preparation for the next water line replacement project that crosses under the railroad at Castleton Avenue.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve a Resolution Approving a Pipeline Crossing Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad Company. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore. Resolution #2025-03.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented a Resolution Approving a Waiver of Certain Rights Under Restrictive Covenants of the Rolland W. Lewis Industrial Centre. There are restrictive covenants in the Rolland W. Lewis Industrial Centre that give the City the first right of refusal on the sale of any property in the Industrial Centre. This releases the parcel on Progress Drive and adjacent to (west) of the Rend Lake College Marketplace. The College wants to purchase the parcel.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve a Resolution Approving a Waiver of Certain Rights Under Restrictive Covenants of the Rolland W. Lewis Industrial Centre. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore. Resolution #2025-04.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis presented for the advice and consent of the City Council the Appointment of Nathan McKenna to the 911 Board, the Fire Pension Board, and to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Board.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to accept the Appointment of Nathan McKenna to the 911 Board, the Fire Pension Board, and to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Board. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

Mayor John Lewis wanted to remind community members that there is a Pancake Breakfast being held by the Jefferson County Farm Bureau at the Rolland Lewis Building on Saturday, February 8 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Mayor John Lewis wanted to let everyone know that this is City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel’s last City Council meeting. She will be retiring in May, however, she hasn’t taken much time off, and she has a lot of time to use up before then. The Mayor and Council wanted to congratulate her on her upcoming retirement. Her expertise has been invaluable to the Mayor and Council. He stated her guidance and inspiration over the years has made the Council look good and she will be missed.

City Manager Bechtel stated that she really appreciated the opportunity. She added that working with this great Mayor and Council, they have been able to make many improvements in the City and have come a long way from ten years ago. She stated she has been blessed, and it has been a privilege to be a part of the City of Mt. Vernon at this time.

Council Member Gliosci stated that she has set the standard high and Assistant City Manager Nathan McKenna has a lot to shoot for.

Council Member Botch added that Bechtel has done an outstanding job. He stated that he can’t think of a manager that has done more for this City. She and Mayor Lewis have made a great team. She has kept the Council advised on everything and she is going to be missed.

Council Member Young said he couldn’t add anything more, but agreed with the other members.

CITY COUNCIL

None.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 7:12 p.m., Mayor John Lewis requested an Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) – Review of Executive Session Minutes.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to go into Executive Session under 5 ILCS 120/2(c)(21) – Review of Executive Session Minutes. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

At 7:17 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 Mike Young motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Moore.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/5vtjzixy/02032025-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf