North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met April 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, April 7, 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 Rose Straeter with the Broken, Loved, Healed 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 Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journalsfor March 17, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting and March 26, 2025 Special Council Meeting were presented for approval.

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

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Mayor Lewis introduced Jordan Haarmann of AGE who was present to update the Council and discuss the renewal of the City’s Electric Aggregation Program. Haarmann stated that the program will likely see an increase starting in June, however, it is unclear whether the rate will be higher or lower than Ameren’s new rate. A new base rate will be set, but the final rate won’t be known until late April or early May. New rates will be set for the next program year which starts in June, 2025 and continues to June, 2026. The new rate may increase from its current rate of 9.1 cents to anywhere from 10 to 13 cents per kilowatt hour. Haarmann stated that would be approximately a $26.00 increase on a resident’s electric bill.

Mayor Lewis stated his concern regarding the increase and how that would affect the citizens, especially those on social security.

Council Member Donte Moore expressed concern that if Ameren’s rate is less than the program rate, citizens would need to know how to opt out of the program. Haarmann stated that after Ameren’srate is known, they would work with the City to get that information out to the citizens. Mayor Lewis stated that the City would likely have to make City personnel available to help residents with this issue.

Council Member Joe Gliosci asked Haarmann why the aggregation program is no longer successful in negotiating lower rates than Ameren. Haarmann responded that there is a lot of volatility in the markets and unknowns regarding capacity. Energy costs in Illinois have also been impacted by all of the incentives for solar energy that the State has provided. Energy prices have been going up since the solar legislation was first passed in 2019. He stated that in the long term, the credits from solar farms should start yielding greater savings.

The City plans to keep the public informed on the new aggregation rates and how to opt out of the program if Ameren’s rate turns out to be cheaper than the aggregation.

APPROVAL OF CONSOLIDATED VOUCHERS FOR ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

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

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $2,645,174.10 Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna requested permission to Waive the Bidding Requirements and Accept the Quote for the Roof Replacement of the City Garage. This project went out for bid twice and no bids were received. The City has received a quote from Whitney Roofing, Inc., out of Effingham. They had intended to bid on the project during the second bidding, but it was not submitted on time. The quote is $54,985.63, which is below the budgeted amount.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to Waive the Bidding Requirements and Accept the Quote for the Roof Replacement of the City Garage from Whitney Roofing, Inc., in the amount of $54,985.63. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Street Closure Request for Jordan Street between 10th Street and 12th Street on the First Friday of the Month from May, 2025 through October, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the Kingsman Auto Club Cruise Nights. Requesting Party: Kingsman Auto Club.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for Jordan Street between 10th Street and 12th Street on the First Friday of the Month from May, 2025 through October, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the Kingsman Auto Club Cruise Nights. Requesting Party: Kingsman Auto Club. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented for Public Hearing and Second Reading of an Ordinance to Approve the Proposed Budget for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. Since the workshop, two additions have been made. One addition is $100,000 in the general corporate fund to replace a 26-year old truck in the Fleet Service Department. The second addition to the proposed budget is to replace a truck in the Fire Department. Several months ago, while responding to a Hazmat call on the interstate, the Hazmat truck pulling the trailer caught fire. This would be to replace that truck. Insurance has covered $27,000 of the expense. This would allow for the City to replace the truck.

A five-year projection was given to Council for review to see the working fund balance overall in the general corporate fund. These numbers are assuming that staffing levels remain the same, and union negotiating contracts stay the same. This allows for a 4% increase in the union contract negotiations, a 4% increase each year in self-funded health insurance, a 3% increase in property and casualty insurance, a 5% in work compensation insurance, and a 5% increase in all other expenses in the departments with revenues staying flat. In this projection, by the year 2029, this does significantly reduce the working fund balance.

Mayor Lewis noted that there have been no phone calls regarding the proposed budget, nor is anyone from the public in attendance at this public hearing.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve Ordinance #2025-07, an Ordinance to Approve the Proposed Budget for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year with the Additional Expenditures. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property on Zachery Drive. This item was tabled at the last meeting due to needing a 4/5th vote. This is for ten acres to South Central Transit to build a new facility on Zachery Drive. The purchase price that was agreed to is $155,000.

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

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2025-08, an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Property on Zachery Drive. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented for First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the City of Mt. Vernon Personnel Policy related to Residency Requirements. This Ordinance will open up residency for city employees to live within the adjoining counties of Marion, Wayne, Hamilton, Franklin, Perry and Washington. It will apply to all city positions including police and fire. It is getting increasingly hard for both of those departments to create a hiring list.

Council Member Joe Gliosci asked if other communities are allowing their employees to live outside the county. McKenna stated that other communities have expanded their residency requirement. Mayor Lewis added that since other communities have allowed this, it has made it more difficult for Mt. Vernon to get those candidates.

Chief Robert Brands was present and added that this has been discussed for two years, and the police department fully supports this amendment to the residency requirement. He feels that they would still be able to be here within an hour. Chief Brands stated he has never had an issue getting people in when needed and he doesn’t feel like this would affect that. He also added he knows that there are people interested and are waiting for this to pass. Chief Brands stated that currently there are more openings than there are eligible people to hire on the list.

Council Member Donte Moore added that he has talked to Fire Chief Yenne, and he also fully supports this amendment to the residency requirement. He stated Chief Yenne said they had some people who would have been great, but they lived outside of the County and could not be hired because of the residency requirement.

McKenna added one other detail in this Ordinance is there are positions that provide take-home vehicles. Take-home vehicles will not be allowed to leave Jefferson County. Those vehicles will remain parked at the department where the employee works.

FIRST READING ONLY

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution Approving a Purchase Agreement with Sutphen Corporation for the Purchase of a Pumper Truck. After sending the letter of intent McKenna received an email that stated the letter would only hold the firetruck for two weeks. This purchase agreement will lock in the truck for us. The truck is not scheduled to be completed until May 22nd and no money will be due until then. The purchase of the truck is included in the new budget, and financing will be arranged through Banterra Bank. The total cost of the truck is $925,412.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Resolution Approving a Purchase Agreement with Sutphen Corporation for the Purchase of a Pumper Truck. Council Member Mike Young seconded the motion. Yeas: Botch, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Abstain: Gliosci. Resolution #2025-17.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution Approving a Proposal from Midwest Music Supply to Provide Entertainment for The Commons Grand Opening. This is for the grand opening event of the Commons greenspace downtown planned for May 31, 2025. It includes the professional stage, lighting and sound. This also covers the musical act and an opening act, hotels and lodging, along with insurance in case the event is rained out and can’t go forward. The total price is $50,000 and this is the amount that was budgeted.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve the Resolution Approving a Proposal from Midwest Music Supply to Provide Entertainment for The Commons Grand Opening. Council Member Joe Gliosci seconded the motion. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Resolution #2025-18.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution to use Motor Fuel Tax for In-house Road Improvements. This authorizes the funds to be used for in-house resurfacing projects included in the budget.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution to use Motor Fuel Tax for In house Road Improvements. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Resolution #2025-19.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution Relating to Participation by Elected Officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. This recertifies that all elected officials are IMRF eligible.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve a Resolution Relating to Participation by Elected Officials in the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Resolution #2025-20.

MAYOR

None.

CITY COUNCIL

Council Member Ray Botch wanted to congratulate Finance Director Stephanie Bailey and Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna on the budget.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 7:47 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: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

At 8:06 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 Donte Moore, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/nc1hmcpa/04072025-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf