The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Milton R. Sees called the Regular Meeting to order and Father Don Perschall of Trinity Episcopal Church gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Ricky D. Heck, Council Member John Howard, Council Member David E. Keen, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor Milton R. Sees.
The journals for the December 19, 2005 Regular City Council Meeting and the January 5, 2006 Joint City Council Workshop Meeting and Mt. Vernon Township High School Board Meeting were presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member David E. Keen to approve the journals for the Regular City Council Meeting of December 19, 2005 and the January 5, 2006 Joint City Council Workshop Meeting and Mt. Vernon Township High School Board Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Keen, Walker and Sees.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for the first half of January 2006 in the amount of $ 538,555.84 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for the first half of January 2006 in the amount of
$ 538,555.84 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Keen, Walker and Sees.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for the second half of January 2006 in the amount of $ 766,105.54 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for the second half of January 2006 in the amount of $ 766,105.54 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Keen, Walker and Sees.
City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that only one bid was received on the Welcome to Mt. Vernon signs. Mr. Payne asked Mrs. Bonnie Jerdon to report on the bid. Mrs. Jerdon stated that the bid was from T. Ham Sign for $12,925.00. She also stated that there are some issues with the signs that have come up in that IDOT has denied the City’s request as to where the signs are placed and the size of the signs. It was decided to table this until we get the location resolved with IDOT. Motion by Council Member David E. Keen to Table the Request for the Welcome to Mt. Vernon Signs. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Keen, Walker and Sees.
City Manager Roy L. Payne requested Authorization to Seek Proposals for the Annual Fireworks Display. Motion by Council Member John Howard to give Authorization to Seek Proposals for the Annual Fireworks Display. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Keen, Walker and Sees.
City Manager Roy L. Payne made an Announcement Regarding a New Housing Rehabilitation Grant from DCEO. The grant will cover homes in the 1000 block of 21st Street through 25th Street. The CDAP portion of the grant award is $350,200.00 and the IHDA portion of the grant award $91,000.00 with no out of pocket money. Mr. Payne stated that Crosswalk has already done surveys in the area. Councilman Mike Walker asked if we knew how many homes this project would be able to rehab. Mr. Payne stated that probably ten to twelve homes would be done with this grant.
City Manager Roy L. Payne requested an Executive Session be held following this Regular City Council Meeting Regarding Personnel and Pending Litigation.
City Attorney David R. Leggans stated that he did not have any items for the agenda at this time.
Mayor Milton R. Sees stated that we seemed to get a good start off to the new year. Mayor Sees spoke regarding the family in Jefferson County that just had a personal tragedy of losing their son in Iraq. Mayor Sees stated that he believes
that the community will wrap themselves around the family and extend all their prayers to help get them through the ordeal. Mayor Sees stated that Councilman Keen has been helping with the arrangements with the family. Councilman Keen stated that he had been working with them and the family would be presenting the information as it was finalized.
Mayor Sees stated that this is the first soldier that the area has lost in the service in Iraq and he hopes with all of his heart it is the last one.
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Terry Milt the Superintendent of Mt. Vernon Township High School thanked the Mayor and Council for their attendance and support at the Joint Workshop Meeting held on January 5, 2006. Mr. Milt stated that it helped their Board to make some decisions at their meeting last night. Mr. Milt stated that the Board voted to build a new school at a different location last night and thanked the City for their focus and their support on this project. Mayor Milton R. Sees stated that he believes that the year 2006 would bring a lot of good things for the area. Mayor Sees stated that he and City Manager Roy L. Payne have discussed setting a time for a Workshop Meeting with the school board again for the purpose of discussion regarding the City’s commitment in this venture. Mr. Payne stated that he would be getting some dates together to try to set a meeting.
Mr. Don Peacock spoke regarding the Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival Awards for the Mayor and City Council. Mr. Peacock presented the awards to the Mayor and Council. Mr. Peacock also spoke regarding the Kiwanis Pancake and Sausage Fundraiser.
Mr. Odie Farris of Mt. Vernon spoke regarding the progress on the Mt. Vernon high school project. Mr. Farris stated that he has attended the meetings and will continue to watch for the continued progress and he is looking forward to the start.
Motion by Council Member David E. Keen to Go Into Executive Session Regarding Personnel and Pending Litigation. Second by Council Member Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Keen, Walker and Sees.
Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adjourn the Regular City Council Meeting Following the Executive Session. Second by Council Member David E. Keen. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Keen, Walker and Sees.