Regular City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 20, 2007, 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 Methodist Church gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
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 February 5, 2007 Public Hearing and Regular City Council Meeting were presented for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journal for the Public Hearing and Regular City Council Meeting of February 5, 2007 as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for February in the amount of $ 968,174.07 were presented to Council for their consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for February 2007 in the amount of $968,174.07 as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Mayor David E. Keen welcomed and introduced the new City Manager, Ron Neibert. Mr. Neibert took office on February 6, 2007. Mayor Keen stated that this is Mr. Neibert’s first Council Meeting. Mr. Neibert stated that he is looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship with the City of Mt. Vernon and is glad to be here.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids were received for Ammunition for the Police Department. Mr. Neibert stated that one bid was received and asked Council if they wanted to open the one bid. Council agreed to open the bid and it was given to Police Chief Chris Mendenall to open. The results will be presented at the end of this Regular City Council Meeting.
City Manager Ron Neibert reported that one bid was received for the Purchase of one new Police Car and asked if Council wanted to open the one bid. Council agreed to open the bid and it was given to Police Chief Chris Mendenall to open. The bid results will be presented at the end of this Regular City Council Meeting also.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration the Preliminary and Final Plat for Westland Business Center. Mr. Bill Woodfall addressed Council on this Plat matter. Mr. Woodfall explained the proposed Business Center. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Preliminary and Final Plat of the Westland Business Center as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Approval of Plans for Construction in the Rolland W. Lewis Industrial Park. Mr. Neibert explained that the plans have been inspected by the Engineering and Inspection Departments and have been approved by them. The job is for the Penske Truck building on Davidson Drive. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Plans for Construction for Property in the Rolland W. Lewis Industrial Park as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that there is a Request for an Executive Session Regarding Pending Litigation and Land Acquisition.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 4610 Broadway from Class B2 to Class B3. The petitioning party is LMV, LLC. The plan is to build a truck stop on the property. Mayor David E. Keen requested that this be a First Reading Only so this request can be sent back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for consideration. The Planning and Zoning Commission needed more information before they approve this request. First Read was held.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Real Property at 1120 S. 12th Street and 1123 Perkins to New Life Missionary Baptist Church. The purchase amount is $4,500.00. The church is building a new structure for their
church. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-08, an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Real Property at 1120 S. 12th Street and 1123 Perkins to New Life Missionary Baptist Church. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Approving the Homestead Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is the next step in the TIF Project, the implementation of the document plan. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt 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 Shirilyn Holt to adopt Ordinance # 2007-09, an Ordinance Approving the Homestead Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project. 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 Designating the Homestead Tax Increment Financing Project Area. City Manager Ron Neibert explained that this Ordinance actually defines the area that will be covered by the TIF and negotiates the redevelopment area. Council Member Mike Walker asked about the flood plain areas and the guidelines for development in those areas of the property. City Manager Neibert addressed Mr. Walker’s question regarding the flood plain issues. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-10, an Ordinance Designating the Homestead Tax Increment Financing Project Area. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Adopting Tax Increment Financing. 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 #2007-11, an Ordinance to Adopt Tax Increment Financing for the City of Mt. Vernon. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Extending the Non-Exclusive Franchise of Rifkin Acquisitions Partners, LLC d/b/a Charter Communications in the City of Mt. Vernon Until June 30, 2007. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this item has been looked at and it was recommended by City Attorney David R. Leggans that
the City extend the current Franchise Agreement until the end of June 2007 so the City can stay current with the franchise laws and look at outside sources. There is also discussion that the legislation may discuss the possibility of the State taking away the authority. This will allow the City to stay current and to weigh any options that may come. This will be a temporary extension of our current contract. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Holt, Walker and Keen. Motion by Council Member John Howard to adopt Ordinance # 2007-12, an Ordinance Extending the Non-Exclusive Franchise of Rifkin Acquisitions Partners, LLC d/b/a Charter Communications in the City of Mt. Vernon Until June 30, 2007 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice of Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures for Property Located at 412 South 20th Street. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice of Dilapidated Structures for Property at 412 South 20th Street. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Committing City’s Funding to Develop a New High School. Mayor David E. Keen addressed Council regarding this Resolution. Mayor Keen stated that the City has already talked about supporting the high school should the voters vote and reaffirm the need and the State come through with their funding for the project. Council Member Ricky D. Heck spoke regarding the savings portion of the Resolution. This has to do with if there is money left from what is promised, who will get the money. Mayor David E. Keen read the actual Resolution to be voted on. This Resolution states how the share of any savings will be divided. A savings could be recognized if there was an increase in the State funding or any private contributions to the school.
Finance Director Merle Hollmann explained the funding to be contributed from each the State, the City and the High School Bonding. It is understood that any savings would be 50/50 to the City and the High School equally. Council Member Mike Walker asked about the reduction in the costs of construction if there are any. Mr. Walker asked that this also be stated in the Resolution. Mr. Hollmann stated that it should possibly say “if for any reason the costs should be reduced the savings would be shared 50/50 by the City and the High School”. Council
Member Mike Walker asked that this be a First Reading until the Resolution is changed. Council concurred.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution of Support Regarding Medicaid Funding. Mayor David E. Keen stated
that this is basically a Resolution that the Southern Illinois Mayor’s Association has asked the City to adopt. This has to do with the Medicare-Medicaid Crisis in
the State and this Resolution will be sent by the Southern Illinois Mayors Association to the Governor for our show of support. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the Resolution of Support Regarding Medicaid Funding as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution of Support Regarding an Electric Rate Freeze. Mayor David E. Keen stated that he had met with Senator John O. Jones and many people are very upset at the raise in the power bills for their residence. Representative Bradley
is sponsoring House Bill 408. This House Bill would be to help freeze the electricity rates. Mayor Keen asked people with large bills to bring them to City Hall to copy so the City can send them to Representative Kurt Granburg and Senator John O. Jones. There could be a rate freeze or a possible step up of fees over a period of time rather than all at once. Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that the City’s bill has increased from $24,000. to $33,000. from December to January. The street lighting bills have gone from $14,000 to $17,000. So it is not just the residential bills that are affected. Council Member Mike Walker asked if the wording on the Resolution of Support was standard or if it was the same wording that all the other Cities were sending. Mayor David E. Keen stated that this is the copy that the Southern Illinois Mayors Association had sent for us to use. Council Member Walker stated that he believes that the 10% was still too generous and the public would be to the same place eventually again. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the Resolution of Support Regarding an Electric Rate Freeze. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Keen. No: Walker.
Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that one bid had been received for the ammunition for the guns in the Police Department. The bid received was from More Guns of Mt. Vernon, IL. The bid was in the amount of $ 7,422.00 and this amount is under the budgeted amount. Chief Mendenall recommended the acceptance of this bid for ammunition. City Manager Ron Neibert concurred. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to accept the bid of More Guns of Mt. Vernon, IL in the amount of $ 7,422.00 for ammunition for the Police Department.
Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Police Chief Chris Mendenall presented for Council the result of the one bid received for a new Police vehicle. The one bid received was from Ford Square of Mt. Vernon LTD. for a Ford Crown Victoria in the amount of $ 21,288.45. Chief Mendenall recommended the acceptance of the one bid from Ford Square, LTD.
City Manager Ron Neibert concurred. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to accept the low bid from Ford Square Ltd of Mt. Vernon for a Ford Crown
Victoria Police vehicle in the amount of $21,188.45. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yes: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Council Member Ricky D. Heck spoke regarding the financing of the high school by the City. Mr. Heck was upset over some of the letters to the newspapers that he has seen. He stated that there are no hidden reasons for the support to the high school; Council just thinks they need to support the project.
Mr. Steve Modert asked why the last Regular Meeting had an item to appoint Brian Edmison to the TIF Board, but it was not done at that meeting. Was there a reason for that. Mayor David E. Keen stated that he had explained this to Mr. Modert earlier this week on the telephone, and his explanation. Mayor Keen stated that initially he had overlooked the fact that Brian had worked on the Homestead Development Project and therefore it would be a possible conflict. The Mayor therefore decided not to appoint Mr. Edmison.
Mr. Bobbie Farris asked about the site of the new high school and how the parking and emergency entrances would be done. Mayor Keen assured Mr. Farris that the plans would all show the parking and entrances. Mayor Keen suggested that Mr. Farris get with Mr. Greg Backes and look over the drawing of the proposed plans.
Mr. Horton Petties addressed Council regarding the possible new high school and encouraged everyone to vote for it to pass. Mr. Petties stated that we need this for new growth in the area. He stated that this opportunity does not come along very often and may never come again for Mt. Vernon.
Mayor Keen agreed and stated that he is encouraging everyone to get out and vote and to gather all of the information that they can regarding the issue before
they vote. If there are questions, they need to feel free to contact the City or the High School to find out how to get answers to the questions.
Motion by Council Member John Howard to go into Executive Session to discuss Pending Litigation and Land Acquisition. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.