Regular City Council Meeting
April 17, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, April 17, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
City Clerk Jackie Sharp opened the meeting and stated that the first order of business was to pick an Acting Mayor. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to nominate Council Member David E. Keen as Acting Mayor to finish out the term until an election can be held in April 2007. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Keen and Walker.
Acting Mayor David E. Keen called the Regular City Council Meeting to order. Reverend Jerry Van Houtin of Victory Christian Center gave the Invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Ricky D. Heck, Council Member John Howard, Council Member Mike Walker and Acting Mayor David E. Keen.
The journals for the March 30, 2006 City Council Workshop Meeting and the April 3, 2006 Regular City Council Meeting were presented for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to approve the journals for the March 30, 2006 City Council Workshop Meeting and the April 3, 2006 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for April 2006 in the amount of $ 855,822.49 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for April 2006 in the amount of $855,822.49 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Manager Roy L. Payne introduced Kevin Sargent of the Fire Department to introduce the 1st Quarter Employee Choice Award for 2006. Mr. Sargent stated that the committee had met and chosen Larry D. Page for the 1st Quarter Employee Choice Award recipient. Mr. Sargent read a letter of nomination giving Mr. Page’s qualities for being awarded this honor by his fellow employees. Mr. Page will receive a plaque, a shirt, a City coin and an extra day off for the award. Mr. Page thanked his fellow employees for the award and the honor.
City Manager Roy L. Payne introduced Jay Koch and Brian Edmison of the Downtown Mt. Vernon Development Corporation to speak regarding the Master Plan. Mr. Koch and Mr. Edmison passed around drawings of the downtown area that envisioned what could be done in the area for beautification to go along with the restoration going on around the downtown area. They spoke regarding the buildings that are being worked on and the possible future construction, which would include several housing units. They spoke about the old Mt. Vernon Motel and the demolition of that building to make way for Mt. Vernon Commons, a ten-unit townhouse complex. The Granada Theater and the streetscape with possible upscale living quarters on the upper floors in the area. The courthouse terrace for a park like area on the square. A housing area on Jordan Street with a lake and park like area. The possibility of using the armory building for art and sculpture and more housing south of the armory building. Work around the L& N Depot area and the Appellate Courthouse area. Mr. Koch and Mr. Edmison stated that these were ideas and could be carried out over a period of time and hopefully there would be grant money to help with a lot of it. Mayor David E. Keen thanked Mr. Koch and Mr. Edmison for sharing DMDC visions with the City and stated that it all is very impressive. Mr. Koch reminded everyone of the Tour of Downtown on April 27th from 5-8 p.m. beginning at the Granada Theater.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 600 Aviation Drive from Class FP/AG to I-1. The petitioning party is Mt. Vernon Airport. Airport Manager Chris Collins was present to explain this request. Mr. Collins stated that this is for the Air-Evac Superbase that has been discussed several times at City Council Meetings. Some of the property was in flood plain zoning, but the retention lake was built in 1974 and there has not been any flood problems since then. Mr. Collins stated that there were no objectors present at the Zoning Board Hearing. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-14, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 600 Aviation Drive from
Class FP/AG to Class I-1 for Petitioning Party Mt. Vernon Airport. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Regarding the Firefighters Union Contract. Human Resources Director Mary Jo Pemberton stated that this is the final union contract of 6 union contracts to be presented. The other five have been presented and passed. Two of the contracts had gone to arbitration, the Police and Fire Contracts. Mrs. Pemberton stated that this is a four-year contract beginning May 1, 2004 to April 30, 2008. The same wages and same steps as the other unions. Step plus 2%, 2%, 2 1/2%, 3% plus the City pays 100% of the employees insurance as the final outcome of the arbitration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Resolution Regarding the Firefighters Union Contract as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice of a Dangerous and Dilapidated Structure for Property Located at 521 South 18th Street. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that it is time to take action on this property. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice of a Dangerous and Dilapidated Structure for Property Located at 521 South 18th Street. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving an Illinois EPA Loan Amendment. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this is a 2% loan for lift station 15 replacement. This is a must needed project that handles everything out west. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adopt the Resolution Approving the Illinois EPA Loan Amendment for the Lift Station 15 Loan. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving an IDOT Agreement Regarding Veterans Memorial Drive. This agreement involves the IDOT and Veterans Memorial Drive Overpass/ Interchange. City Engineer John Porter went over the highlights of the agreement and the bid dates. Mr. Porter stated that his estimate is the completion of the project will be fall of 2008. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt the Resolution Approving the IDOT Agreement Regarding the Veterans Memorial Drive Overpass/Interchange. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Tentative Annual Budget and Setting the Public Budget Hearing for April 27, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that there will be one more meeting and
the figures will be completed. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt the Resolution Approving the Tentative Annual Budget and Setting the Public Hearing for April 27, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. at Council Chambers, City Hall. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Acting Mayor David E. Keen thanked Council for making him the Acting Mayor. Mr. Keen stated that he has several goals and plans that he will be formulating over the next few weeks. Mayor Keen stated that he wanted to thank Mr. A.P. Petties for all of the hard work and planning of the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Mr. Keen stated that there were at least 300 children in attendance. Mayor Keen asked Mary Jo Pemberton to speak regarding the Heart Walk. Mrs. Pemberton stated that the teams would meet at 8:00 a.m. at Veterans Park and walk for donations for the Heart Fund. She stated that there is a City Team and they would welcome anyone to walk with them.
City Manager Roy L. Payne spoke regarding the yard waste pickup beginning today. Mr. Payne stated that the waste pickup was very heavy and it may take a while for them to catch up due to only picking up two days a week and beginning a month later. They have to take the yard waste to Clinton County to dump so it takes a while. Mr. Payne also wanted to remind everyone about clean-up week, where you can put out large items for pickup. Mr. Payne stated that the 28th will be the day they pickup the white goods such as refrigerators, stoves, water heaters, etc.
Mr. Payne also updated Council on the repairs to the City pool and the bathhouse. The pool is scheduled to open on time Memorial Day Weekend. Mr. Payne thanked everyone for the help on the bathhouse project.
Mr. A.P. Petties stated that he is again taking suitcases for the Foster Children like he has in the past.
Mr. Bobby Farris spoke regarding needing more jobs in Mt. Vernon. Mr. Farris stated that he is also concerned about the pit bull problems and stray dogs in all of the neighborhoods.
Mr. Ron Herndon spoke regarding the pickup days on Cardinal Drive for trash and yard waste.