Regular City Council Meeting
December 4, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, December 4, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor David E. Keen called the meeting to order and Reverend Brad Henson of West Salem Trinity Church gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given, led by a local Boy Scout troop.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Ricky D. Heck, Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member John Howard, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor David E. Keen.
The journal for the November 20, 2006 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journal as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for December 2006 in the amount of $ 787,416.07 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for December 2006 in the amount of $ 787,416.07 as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Approval of Motor Fuel Tax Funds Audit for Years 2002 and 2003. Mr. Hollmann stated that the City had received copies of the two audits. One for 2002 and 2003 from District 9. Mr. Hollmann stated that IDOT is asking for $18,006.59 and $ 21,931.45 for fringe benefits that were charged on these two audits that the City did not get prior approval for. The funds will be placed back
into the City’s MFT Fund account to be used in the future. Mr. Hollmann stated that previously the City was under the Effingham District Office and now we are under the Carbondale Office. Discussion was held by Council as to how and why this happened. Mr. Hollmann explained in detail. Mr. Hollmann stated that there might be one more year that we may have to pay back. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Payment of Motor Fuel Tax Funds back to IDOT for the 2002 and 2003 Audit Funds. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Apply for a Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grant. Mr. Hollmann stated that these are things that are not repeat expenses. A $40,000.00 safety trailer to educate schools about fires and smoke would be a large expense. There would also be smoke detectors and other items. The City’s match would be 5%, which would be $2,300.00 to $24,000.00. This would mean that 95% of the items would be reimbursed. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Grant Permission to Apply for a Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grant. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann introduced Fire Chief Brent Hahn to report on the Award for the Fire Station Repair Bids. Mr. Hollmann stated that three bids had been received and were opened. Chief Hahn had asked to delay the bid award until tonight due to the difference in the bids received so he could talk to the bidders and confirm their bids. Fire Chief Hahn stated that all three bids received met specifications, however there was a large difference in two of the bids. Chief Hahn stated that he did talk to all three bidders and confirmed their bids. Chief Hahn stated that the low bidder is Lipps Construction Company. Lipps bid was for $ 28,900.00. Aaron Bevis of Lipps Construction stated that they would stand behind their bid 100%. Mr. Hahn stated that staff’s recommendation would be to award the bid to Lipps Construction Company as the low bidder in the amount of $28,900.00. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Award of the Low Bid for the Repairs to the Fire Station to Lipps Construction Company in the amount of $ 28,900.00. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Regarding the Tax Levy. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that he had explained to Council by e-mail how the levies are computed. Mr. Hollmann stated that the total levy is for $ 1,936,931.00. This is a 4.9% increase from last year’s levy. Mr. Hollmann explained the pension related levies, which equal 92% of the total levy that goes towards pensions. Mr. Hollmann stated that the pension amounts are set by law through the IMRF or
Illinois Department of Insurance. Mr. Hollmann also explained the sanitation fund. The sanitation fund is not levying any funds at all. If the City were to levy sanitation funds, the recommendation would be to levy $ 253,280.00. The levy was reduced to 0 because we added 2% to the Hotel/Motel Tax. The 2% Tax is being used to subsidize the levy so we do not have to increase the levy by that much. The Hotel/Motel Tax brings in around $ 243,000.00 annually. The Hotel/Motel Tax was also used to lower the Parks Levy by $37,500.00. Mr. Hollmann stated that all together we lowered our tax levy by $ 290,780.00 due to using this tax. Mr. Hollmann stated that most of that money comes from Interstate Traveler’s so the citizens of Mt. Vernon are not paying that tax. Mr. Hollmann answered questions from Council regarding the Park Fund and what the levy will look like next year, and the IMRF Funds. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-54, an Ordinance Regarding the Tax Levy for the Period of May 1, 2006 Through April 30, 2007. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 1016 Old Fairfield Road. The petitioning parties are C. Dale and Margery Harris. This is a strip of property located on Old Fairfield Road near Royal Place. First Reading was held.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing Approval of a Contract to Purchase Asphalt Grindings. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann explained that these grindings could be used for parking lots, patching and many other uses. Mr. Jim Scott has the grindings and the City can purchase about 3,000 tons of the grindings. We are currently using it to build the new street on Heritage Avenue. The City will pay Mr. Scott $4.00 per ton for the grindings. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Approval of a Contract to Purchase Asphalt Grindings from Jim Scott. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Present: Heck.
Mayor David E. Keen extended his thanks to Cyndy Mitchell and the Downtown Mt. Vernon Development Corporation for all of their hard work on the Christmas Parade and the decorating of the businesses downtown for the holidays.
Mrs. Robin Bullock of 3105 Peach Street addressed Council regarding leaf burning. Mrs. Bullock stated that during burning season her neighborhood is very smoky and there is a constant haze over the area from people burning leaves. Mrs. Bullock named several area cities that do not allow leaf burning. Mrs. Bullock stated that this is exposing residents to second hand smoke which is very dangerous. Mrs. Bullock is asking for Council to vote to do away with the burning of leaves. Mrs. Bullock stated that there is a pick-up service available for leaves and yard waste. Mayor Keen stated that he would meet with her later to discuss her concerns.
Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.