North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met April 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, April 21, 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 Micah Arcuri with the Bonnie Church of God 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 Journal for April 7, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for approval.

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

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 Donte Moore motioned to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $1,171,791.44. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Regular City Council Meeting Monday, April 21, 2025

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna requested permission to Seek Bids for the South 45th Street and Route 15 Water Main Relocation Project. This work is required by IDOT prior to the construction of the Exit 95 project. The City has a water main that runs under Route 15 to Potomac that has to be encased to IDOT specifications.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for the South 45th Street and Route 15 Water Main Relocation Project. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna requested permission to Seek Bids for the 2025 Mt. Vernon Downtown Streetscape Project. This is not the Downtown Streetscape Project that we have applied for grant funding. This is to make improvements to Harrison Avenue from 9th Street to Johnson Alley. This will be awarded after May 1st, and we have budgeted $90,000 in FY 25/26 budget.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for the 2025 Mt. Vernon Downtown Streetscape Project. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna requested permission to Waive the Bidding and Purchase a MABAS Vehicle Utilizing the State Contact. This is a budgeted item in the FY 25/26 to replace the 20 year old HAZMAT truck that caught fire when responding to an accident on the Interstate. Insurance has paid approximately $27,000 that will go toward the replacement of the truck. The City has received a quote from Morrow Brothers Ford in Greenfield, Illinois in the amount of $93,977.00.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to grant permission to Waive the Bidding and Purchase a MABAS Vehicle Utilizing the State Contract. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna requested permission to Seek Quotes for the Financing of a Fire Truck. This would be for proposals for the loan to purchase the new pumper truck currently on order. The City is asking for the best rate on five and seven year terms.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to Seek Quotes for the Financing of a Fire Truck. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Street Closure Request for 9th Street from Broadway to Jordan Street on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for The Commons Grand Opening Celebration.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to grant permission for a Street Closure for 9th Street from Broadway to Jordan Street on Saturday, May 31, 2025 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for The Commons Grand Opening Celebration. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented for Second 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. The City has not received any calls at City Hall from the Public in favor or opposition to this proposal.

Council Member Joe Gliosci motioned to approve Ordinance #2025-09, an Ordinance Amending the City of Mt. Vernon Personnel Policy Related to Residency Requirements. 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 Fixing the Salaries and Benefits of Certain Employees. This is an annual Ordinance that lists the position and salary ranges for all staff positions not covered by a CBA. The City Clerk position has been added to the Ordinance.

FIRST READING ONLY.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution Authorizing a Real Estate Purchase. An agreement with Donald and Marian Williams Irrevocable Trust to purchase the property at 609 S. 27th Street has been reached. They have agreed to the $201,000 purchase price. The seller will pay any property taxes owed at closing. This is the property to the west of the Police Station. It includes an empty parcel and a lot with a home on it. The City is planning to add a parking lot for overflow parking for the Police Department and this was a budgeted item.

Council Member Moore stated that he doesn’t feel like the City needs to be spending money on this property at this time.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve the Resolution Authorizing a Real Estate Purchase. Council Member Mike Young seconded the motion. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Young, and Lewis. Nay: Moore. Resolution #2025-21.

Acting City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution to use Motor Fuel Tax for Contracted Asphalt Overlay Projects. This resolution authorizes the use of $682,872 for contracted overlay projects this spring/summer. The projects are: North Water Tower from 42nd Street to Cul-de-sac, 22nd Street – Broadway to Logan Street, Plum Avenue – Veterans Memorial Drive to Lime Avenue, Blackberry Street – 34th Street to Apple Avenue, Lincolnshire Drive, Jordan Street – 10th Street to 4th Street, SE Crescent, 33rd Street – Broadway to SW Crescent.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to approve the Resolution to use Motor Fuel Tax for Contracted Asphalt Overlay Projects. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis. Resolution #2025-22.

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis presented for the advice and consent of the City Council the Appointment of Esther Curry to the Tourism Board.

Council Member Ray Botch motioned to accept the Appointment of Esther Curry to the Tourism Board. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

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 Mike Young. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

At 7:42 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 Joe Gliosci motioned to adjourn. Seconded by Council Member Donte Moore. Yeas: Botch, Gliosci, Moore, Young, and Lewis.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/mm5jvvg0/04212025-regular-city-council-meeting.pdf