North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met March 17.

Here is the agenda provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, March 17, 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 Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis. Absent: Council Member Ray Botch and Council Member Joe Gliosci.

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journal for March 3, 2025 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: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and 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 Mike Young motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,545,041.65. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

BIDS AND QUOTES

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented for Approval of a Quote for the Fire Station Alerting System. This was a budgeted item to improve the alerting system at all three fire stations. They priced two systems and the quote from Bryx is the more affordable option. The staff’s recommendation is to approve the quote from Bryx for $100,500. This quote includes an annual service and maintenance fee. The City had budgeted $105,000 in the General Corporate Capital Fund. Fire Chief Yenne was available to answer any questions or concerns.

Council Member Donte Moore asked Chief Yenne what benefit this is to the fire departments. Chief Yenne stated that this will help cut down the time from when the call comes in to the 911 Dispatch Center to the time the fire department gets dispatched.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned for Approval of a Quote for the Fire Station Alerting System from Bryx in the amount of $100,500. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

CITY MANAGER

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented for approval of a Subdivision Preliminary and Final Plat for Jent-Tuggle Subdivision, Zachery Drive. This subdivision was recommended for approval at a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting several months ago. Placement on the council agenda was held off while the land purchase agreement with SCT was finalized for the ten acres on Zachery Drive.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve a Subdivision Preliminary and Final Plat for Jent-Tuggle Subdivision, Zachery Drive. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna requested Authorization to Sign a Letter of Intent to Purchase a Fire Truck. The City has two fire trucks within the fleet that are 20 years old and are due for replacement. This would be to purchase a new pumper fire truck in the fiscal year 25/26 budget. The pumper truck is a Sutphen demo pumper that is currently being built, and it would be available early summer. This does not lock the City into the purchase but does place it on hold until City Council approves the purchase and the budget.

Council Member Donte Moore asked Fire Chief Yenne about the company that the City would be purchasing the truck from. Chief Yenne stated that Sutphen is a family business that has been in business for over 140 years. This is a single source manufacturer where everything is right there.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to Sign a Letter of Intent to Purchase a Fire Truck. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Street Closure Request for 9th Street between Main Street and Jordan Street on the Second Saturday of the Month from April, 2025 through September, 2025, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for Market Days. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 9th Street between Main Street and Jordan Street on the Second Saturday of the Month from April, 2025 through September, 2025 from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for Market Days. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Street Closure Request for 9th Street between Broadway and Jordan Street on June 7, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 9th Street between Broadway and Jordan Street on June 7, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the Mt. Vernon Brewers Festival. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Street Closure Request for 9th Street between Broadway and The Commons Alley on December 6, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for Christmas Activities. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 9th Street between Broadway and The Commons Alley on December 6, 2025 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for Christmas Activities. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Street Closure Request for 7th Street between Main Street and Casey and Jordan Street between 6th Street and 9th Street on December 6, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for Christmas Parade Line-up. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 7th Street between Main Street and Casey and Jordan Street between 6th Street and 9th Street on December 6, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for Christmas Parade Line-up. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Street Closure Request for 9th Street between Main Street and Harrison on April 26, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for Webber High School Prom.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 9th Street between Main Street and Harrison on April 26, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. for Webber High School Prom. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Street Closure Request for 10th Street between Newby and Wescott on June 14, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the Juneteenth Parade.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 10th Street between Newby and Wescott on June 14, 2025 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the Juneteenth Parade. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Street Closure Request for Various Streets for Mt. Vernon Fall Fest on Thursday, September 25 through Sunday, September 28. These include 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Jordan Street (Main Stage setup); 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Broadway, Jordan Street from east side of RARE parking lot to Johnson Alley and 9th Street from Broadway to Harrison on Friday, September 26 at 7:00 a.m. until Sunday, September 28 at 2:00 p.m.; Jordan Street from 10th Street to 12th Street and 11th Street from Broadway to Casey on Friday, September 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (closure for Cruise In by Elks); and Saturday, September 27 on 7th Street from Broadway to Newby for parade staging. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission for Street Closures for Various Streets for Mt. Vernon Fall Fest on Thursday, September 25 through Sunday, September 28. These include 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Jordan Street (Main Stage setup); 9th Street from Casey Avenue to Broadway, Jordan Street from east side of RARE parking lot to Johnson Alley and 9th Street from Broadway to Harrison on Friday, September 26 at 7:00 a.m. until Sunday, September 28 at 2:00 p.m.; Jordan Street from 10th Street to 12th Street and 11th Street from Broadway to Casey on Friday, September 26 from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (closure for Cruise In by Elks); and Saturday, September 27 on 7th Street from Broadway to Newby for parade staging. Requesting Party: Mt. Vernon Festivals, Inc. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented for Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending the City’s Revised Code Related to Hotel Liquor Regulations. State regulation does allow hotels with a liquor license to offer complimentary drinks as part of their reservation. This ordinance will allow the holders of the Hotel License the ability to offer the complimentary drinks as part of the reservation. This Ordinance brings the City Ordinance into conformity with State regulations.

There have been no calls or opposition to approving the change to the Liquor Ordinance since the first reading.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2025-05, an Ordinance Amending the City’s Revised Code Related to Hotel Liquor Regulations. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Ceding of Private Activity Bonding Authority to the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority (SIEDA). This is an annual occurrence where the City reallocates volume cap to SIEDA. Ceding the authority keeps the volume cap available to the City until December 31st. Recommendation is to suspend the rules and approve the Ordinance.

Council Member Donte Moore made the motion to suspend the rules and take action on the Ordinance, an Ordinance Authorizing the Ceding of Private Activity Bonding Authority to the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority (SIEDA). Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2025-06, an Ordinance Authorizing the Ceding of Private Activity Bonding Authority to the Southeastern Illinois Economic Development Authority (SIEDA). Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property on Zachery Drive. This goes with the Subdivision that was previously approved. It is ten acres for the South Central Transit new facility. Selling of municipal property does require a 4/5 vote, therefore McKenna is asking that this item be tabled until the next meeting.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to table the First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property on Zachery Drive. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Approving the Proposed Budget for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. Finance Director Stephanie Bailey gave the proposed budget to the Council Members for review. McKenna stated that the Proposed Budget will be displayed in the City Clerk’s office for thirty days. There are a number of projects, and the plan does include budgeting for the upcoming plans for the indoor recreation center which has been separated into a special fund. There is a list of 2026 projects in the packet that will be discussed at the Budget Workshop Meeting.

FIRST READING ONLY.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution Approving a Pond Service Agreement with Shoreline Aquatics, LLC for the Veteran’s Park Lake. Shoreline Aquatics was contracted last year to treat the water, service the three fountains, and dye the lake to keep it looking good. This agreement would lock pricing for a two-year period.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Resolution Approving a Pond Service Agreement with Shoreline Aquatics, LLC for the Veteran’s Park Lake. Council Member Donte Moore seconded the motion. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci. Resolution #2025-10.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution Approving an Agreement with PGAV Planners LLC for the Creation of a New TIF District. The City has a developer interested in building a new hotel on the property next to McAllister’s on N. 44th Street. PGAV is currently contracted to assist in the extension of the IPCA TIF and the Rt. 15/I-57 TIF districts. This new TIF would be small and include the property for the hotel as well as the old Genkota Winery and surrounding vacant property. If a deal can be reached, the developer would like to pursue additional retail development in the area.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Resolution Approving an Agreement with PGAV Planners LLC for the Creation of a New TIF District. Council Member Mike Young seconded the motion. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci. Resolution #2025-11.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution to Induce the Redevelopment with Sila MK Hotels, LLC. This is the developer looking to build the hotel on N. 44th Street. This Resolution does not commit the City to any financial assistance. The Resolution does make any expense they may incur an eligible reimbursable expense if the TIF district is created.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Resolution to Induce the Redevelopment with Sila MK Hotels, LLC. Council Member Mike Young seconded the motion. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci. Resolution #2025-12.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 and State Route 37 on December 6, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the Christmas Parade.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 and State Route 37 on December 6, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the Christmas Parade. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci. Resolution #2025-13.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 on July 4, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. for the Salute to Freedom Celebration.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 on July 4, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. for the Salute to Freedom Celebration. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci. Resolution #2025-14.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 37 on June 14, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the Juneteenth Parade.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 37 on June 14, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the Juneteenth Parade. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci. Resolution #2025-15.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 and State Route 37 on September 27, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the Fall Fest Parade.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve a Resolution Requesting Permission from IDOT for the Temporary Closure of State Route 15 and State Route 37 on September 27, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the Fall Fest Parade. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Moore, Young, and Lewis. Absent: Botch and Gliosci. Resolution #2025-16.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis wanted to remind everyone to exercise their right to vote on April 1, 2025.

CITY COUNCIL

None.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/h11aezyo/03172025-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf