“City Hall On The Road”
City Council Workshop Meeting
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council met for a Workshop Meeting on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Shiloh Baptist Church, 1015 Conger Avenue. The meeting was the first in a series of Town Hall Meetings called “City Hall On The Road”.
Mayor David E. Keen called the meeting to order.
Roll call showed present: Council Member John Howard, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor David E. Keen. Absent: Council Member Ricky D. Heck.
Mayor Keen introduced several people in the audience and asked the table of City people to introduce themselves. They were department heads and Council Members.
Reverend James gave the invocation.
Mayor Keen again reiterated that this is the first of several town hall meetings to be held. Mayor Keen stated that the meetings bring good ideas and suggestions from the audience. Mayor Keen stated that there are a lot of positive things happening in the City and around the City. One of the biggest is the Interchange/Overpass Project west of Mt. Vernon. Mayor Keen spoke regarding a new group, the Jefferson County Development Agency that is replacing the Economic Development Commission for the City. Their sole purpose is to attract business and new businesses to Mt. Vernon.
Mayor Keen introduced City Manager Roy L. Payne to address the meeting. Mr. Payne welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. Mr. Payne introduced Finance Director Merle Hollmann to speak.
Mr. Hollmann spoke regarding the finances of the City. Mr. Hollmann spoke regarding where the money comes from to finance the services the City provides to the residents. Mr. Hollmann presented a slide show to go along with his speech. Mr. Hollmann spoke regarding the income from the State such as taxes, property taxes, sales tax, and services. Mr. Hollmann spoke regarding the local services and taxes that provide funds to the City. Mr. Hollmann finished his presentation and introduced Mrs. Mary Jo Pemberton the City’s Human Resources Director.
Mrs. Pemberton’s presentation was on how to apply for a job with the City and how to get a job with the City. Mrs. Pemberton spoke regarding the summer employees the City hires as seasonal workers. The City is the #8 employer in the City of Mt. Vernon. The employees are selected on the basis of qualifications. Mrs. Pemberton stated that the Fire and Police Departments hire from lists. When the list gets low they advertise for applications again and test for their list. Mrs. Pemberton introduced Police Chief Chris Mendenall for his presentation.
Chief Mendenall spoke briefly about some of the services of the Police Department. He began by telling how many officers the department has and also the other employees such as dispatchers, secretaries etc. Mr. Mendenall gave examples of what each area of the department does, such as different crimes by which areas of the department. Chief Mendenall introduced Richard Roach of the Park Department.
Mr. Richard Roach spoke regarding the Parks Department. Mr. Roach spoke about the work on the pool and the bathhouse at the Park so it will be able to be used this year. There will be a new liner sprayed in the pool so it will hold water and the bathhouse will be all redone. The basketball courts have been resurfaced at the Park. At Lincoln Park the lights have all been put up and there are lights at all four fields now. The Klein Field is to be seeded soon so it will be ready for next year. Mr. Roach introduced Mrs. Bonnie Jerdon of the Tourism Department.
Mrs. Jerdon spoke regarding the Department of Tourism for the City. Mrs. Jerdon stated that the Tourism Department was created to help market the City of Mt. Vernon for visitors and to increase income for the hospitality industry. Mrs. Jerdon spoke about the Municipal West Building. Mrs. Jerdon gave statistics on the number of hotel rooms, restaurants and any places of interest for visitors. Mrs. Jerdon spoke about the hotel/motel tax that the City takes in. Mrs. Jerdon introduced John Porter the City Engineer.
Mr. Porter spoke about how the engineering Department supports the Water, Sewer and Public Works Departments with plans and background for projects. Mr. Porter stated that he is also the Building Inspector and that department does inspections, reviews plans, issues building permits and enforces ordinances throughout the City. The Engineer works with the Public Works Department to decide which streets get worked on for the MFT Funding. Mr. Porter re-introduced Mr. Roy Payne the City Manager.
Mr. Payne spoke regarding projects that will have an effect on the entire City. Mr. Payne stated that hopefully some of the projects would create more jobs. Mr. Payne spoke about the development on the west side at Davidson and the Rolland W. Lewis Industrial Centre. To open the south end of the Industrial Park would help bring in other businesses and the Economic Development Committee will be marketing this area. Mr. Payne stated that utilities will be extended along this area. Mr. Payne spoke regarding the Interchange. The IDOT is taking bids on the Project the end of this year. Mr. Payne stated that IDOT would also be adding a third lane at the 57/64 split. When these areas are opened up there will be a lot of room for new businesses to build. Mr. Payne spoke regarding the connecting street between Davidson and Wells Bypass. Mr. Payne spoke about the Lincoln Park area and where there may be a new hospital built. Mr. Payne stated that he would like to turn the program back over to Mayor Keen.
Mayor Keen introduced some Commissioners that had just arrived. Mr. Keen stated that at this time he would like to turn the program over to the audience to speak or ask questions or voice concerns they may have. First he would like to have Council Member Mike Walker to speak regarding the new high school. Council Member Walker stated that the City is very interested in the high school project. Mr. Walker spoke regarding the funding for the school. The Council is willing to help market the project and to get the word out about the school but the designs etc. will be up to the high school as will the location. Mr. Walker stated that the City would possibly be interested in some of the buildings. Mr. Walker stated that security is one of the big issues for the high school and a new building would be able to be secured easier. Mr. Walker spoke about the tardiness issues. Mr. Walker stated that now is the time for the public to speak up and let their concerns be known.
Mr. Donald Doggan asked about seminars for people to find out about job applications for the Police, Fire and EMT positions with the City. He stated that some people would need help in the application process and to be prepared for such a job. Mrs. Mary Jo Pemberton stated that the Police Department sends out announcements to all the city churches and leaders to tell that applications will be accepted. Chief Mendenall stated that the Fire and Police Commission does the hiring and firing for the Fire and Police Departments. Mr. Mendenall gave the run down on what is required as far as age, physical agility, written test and interviews. Chief Mendenall also explained the Telecommunicators hiring. Chief Mendenall explained the Citizens Police Academy.
Mrs. Dorrine Brantley spoke regarding the possibilities of the City holding classes for citizens telling them about their rights as citizens. NAACP President James Malone stated that the County hosts an annual program that touches on this issue. Sheriff Roger Mulch spoke regarding the courts having this type of information also. Mrs. Brantley asked about training on meth dangers. Mr. Rolland Mays spoke regarding the Minority Affairs Commission and their acting on certain issues that may come up. Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that Representative Kurt Granburg would be hosting a Community Program on June 27 for Community Leaders. Police Chief spoke regarding the National Police Night Out on August 1, at the Community Building at Veterans Park at 5 p.m. Council Member Mike Walker urged everyone to attend this function and bring all children, as it is a very worthwhile program. Chief Mendenall spoke about Captain Lamar and the DARE program. Chief Mendenall stated that the program does educate younger children on the problems and dangers of drugs.
Mrs. Juanita Harris spoke regarding young adults in the City not being able to get jobs, they can’t afford to go to school and some of them have felonies. Mrs. Harris asked who could help them. Chief Mendenall spoke and stated that felonies can be expunged if the individual stays clean for a period such as seven years. Chief Mendenall stated that if they aren’t repeat felonies. Mrs. Harris stated that her relative had applied for the last two years for a summer job with the City and had not been interviewed. Human Resources Director Mary Jo Pemberton stated that most of the summer hiring is done before March and all of the summer help came back from last year so all that was open was a few Day Camp employees for this year.
Ms. Barbara Green spoke regarding the problems with loud music. Ms. Green stated that in her hometown she visited a few weeks ago, they had posted signs telling about loud music and what is allowed. Ms. Green stated that most of the young people are afraid of the Police Officers. Ms. Green thinks the Police are harassing the black people. She thinks the officers need to be taught to treat African Americans right. Chief Mendenall stated that all Officers are video taped and every stop is video taped.
Mr. Thomas Bryant stated that he has seen African American people stopped and then the Police followed him two stoplights. Mr. Bryant stated that the Police do not give the people respect. Ms. Green stated that complaints have been filed and she has not heard anything from the department. Chief Mendenall stated that he has an open-door policy and anyone can come and speak to him.
Mr. Horton Petties spoke regarding the school funding and the new overpass project. Mr. Petties stated that he for one wants a new high school. The old school is so old and outdated it is past time. Mr. Petties stated that the overpass would also help bring in businesses and hopefully jobs for the City. Mr. Petties state that the citizens need to vote and tell the leaders what they want and expect from them.
A lady asked why the City does not have programs for cocaine addicts to help them get and stay clean. Chief Mendenall stated that there are county services available and there are also state programs available.
Mrs. Annie Moore stated that last Friday three City Police cars pulled her over driving her grandson’s car. She believes that they thought her grandson was driving. Mrs. Rositta Bland spoke regarding favoritism in the City as far as certain parts of town and certain families. Mrs. Bland stated that the son of a family came by and threatened her son and she reported it but nothing was done about it. Mayor Keen asked if she spoke to Chief Mendenall and followed up on the complaint. She stated that she did not.
Reverend Ron Lash spoke regarding he believes people should check to find out what the laws are before they jump to conclusions. Mr. Lash stated that he meant that just because people feel that something should be done, doesn’t mean that the Police can do something because they have to follow the laws and there may not be laws that cover the incidents. Mr. Lash stated that people need to know what the laws are and what can be done to uphold them.
Ms. Bernice McWilliams spoke about the parks and the improvements at the parks. Ms. McWilliams asked what can be done for Dawson Park. Ms. McWilliams also spoke regarding the Police doing more patrols in her neighborhood. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that regarding the parks; the City has to rely on the resources at hand to improve the parks. Mr. Payne stated that we do not have a park district so the funding is the same as everything else in the City. Mr. Payne stated that we are trying to acquire more property in the Dawson Park area for parking which will help. Mr. Payne stated that the Lincoln Park is being funded mostly by grants and donations for that area alone.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that he would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone for coming and participating in this meeting and he urged anyone with problems, suggestions, or complaints to contact City Hall and talk to someone. Mayor Keen stated that by everyone working together the City can grow and become stronger.