North Egypt News

City of Mt. Vernon City Council met July 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, July 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.

Mayor John Lewis called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

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 Joe Gliosci, Council Member Donte Moore, Council Member Jay Tate, Council Member Mike Young, and Mayor John Lewis.

PRESENTATION OF JOURNALS

The Journal for July 7, 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: Gliosci, Moore, Tate, Young, and Lewis.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Brittany Gowler spoke to the Council regarding the Birth to Five Illinois Program which serves four counties including Jefferson, Marion, Clinton, and Washington Counties. Their goal is to ensure all children and families in Illinois have access to early childhood services. They are currently recruiting for their council to expand and strengthen their workforce. They work with the Regional Office of Education (ROE) to help with zero to three programs and help with writing grants and with resources. She reports they are currently recruiting for their family council. Additional information can be found on their website www.birthtofiveil.com. Mayor Lewis and Council members thanked Ms. Gowler for sharing information with them and the community on this program.

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 $1,664,785.60. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Tate, Young, and Lewis.

BIDS AND QUOTES

None.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Nathan McKenna requested permission to Seek Bids for the Purchase of a Street Sweeper. The current sweeper is 7 to 8 years old and has mechanical issues. This was a budgeted item at $450,000. The current sweeper is meant for large debris and creates a large dust cloud. The new vacuum will be a sweeper capable of picking up smaller debris and reducing the dust created. Fleet Service Director Mike Shannon has been researching different sweepers.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to grant permission to Seek Bids for the Purchase of a Street Sweeper. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Tate, Young, and Lewis.

ORDINANCES/RESOLUTIONS/MOTIONS

City Manager Nathan McKenna presented an Ordinance Granting Conditional Used to Allow For a Church at 1012 Main Street. Petitioning Party: Donna Colson. This item was recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission 4-0. While the conditional use states a church, the proposed use is more of a ministry/Christian support group. The building is a small store front and cannot accommodate large gatherings.

Ms. Colson and her husband, Justin Elms, were present to answer questions and comments from the Council. Mr. Elms reported it is meant to be a small group basis to meet spiritual needs. It is to be a prayer based biblical counseling ministry.

Council Member Mike Young motioned to approve Ordinance #2025-18, an Ordinance Granting Conditional Use to Allow for a Church at 1012 Main Street. Petitioning Party: Donna Colson. Seconded by Council Member Jay Tate. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Tate, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Nathan McKenna presented an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 1410 Peek Street from F-P to R-M2. Petitioning Party: Russell Marlowe. This item was recommended for approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission. The property currently has the flood plain zoning and less than half of the property falls in the FEMA flood zone. The petitioner had a survey conducted and only the portion of the property outside of the flood zone is being rezoned. Mr. Marlowe is demolishing the existing structure and placing a manufactured home on the property. Mr. Marlowe was present to respond to any questions. There were none.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve Ordinance #2025-19, an Ordinance Rezoning Property at 1410 Peek Street from F-P to R-M2. Petitioning Party: Russell Marlowe. Seconded by Council Member Joe Gliosci. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Tate, Young, and Lewis.

City Manager Nathan McKenna presented for first reading of an Ordinance Annexing Real Estate to the City of Mt. Vernon. This is a first reading only. The solar farm on Veterans Memorial Drive is moving forward. This annexes the entire field into city limits of Mt. Vernon. The purchase went through in April. City Manager McKenna stated that the City has right-of-way agreements to complete.

FIRST READING ONLY.

City Manager Nathan McKenna presented a Resolution Approving a Real Estate Purchase Agreement for 514 North 8th Street. The City has reached an agreement with Bullock’s on purchasing the property to address the stormwater issues by Optimist Park. The purchase price is $70,000, which includes moving expenses. The seller will have 60 days from the date of closing to vacate the property.

Council Member Donte Moore motioned to approve a Resolution Approving a Real Estate Purchase Agreement for 514 N. 8th Street. Seconded by Council Member Mike Young. Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Tate, Young, and Lewis. #2025-29

MAYOR

Mayor John Lewis stated Council Member Ray Botch was laid to rest last Thursday. The City of Mt. Vernon was blessed to have him as part of the City of Mt. Vernon.

CITY COUNCIL

None.

VISITORS/CITIZENS REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

None.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

None.

ADJOURNMENT

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

The meeting was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.

https://www.mtvernon.com/media/hcylkmcn/07212025-regular-council-meeting.pdf