Regular City Council Meting
January 2, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor David E. Keen called the meeting to order and Reverend Robert Whiteside of Lively Stone 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.
Mayor David E. Keen announced that it would be Council Member Shirilyn Holt’s birthday tomorrow. Mrs. Holt was presented with a cake and everyone sang Happy Birthday to her.
The journal for the December 18, 2006 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journal as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for January 2007 in the amount of $ 637,064.66 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for January 2007 in the amount of $ 637,064.66 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
CITY MANAGER
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for One Police Car. Mr. Hollmann stated
that there were funds in the budget to purchase two vehicles this year and one has been purchased. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Grant Authorization to Seek Bids for One New Police Car. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that there is a Request for an Executive Session following this Regular Council Meeting Regarding Pending Litigation.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 750 Old Fairfield Road. The petitioning party is Jefferson County Highway Department. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that there was a Conditional Use approved at the last Council Meeting for this property. This Ordinance would annex the property into the City. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve Ordinance # 2007-1, an Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 750 Old Fairfield Road for Petitioning Party Jefferson County Highway Department. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving an Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation Regarding Parking Lanes and Signal Improvements on Illinois Route 37 between Broadway and Jordan Street. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann explained that this Resolution is for when IDOT resurfaces Route 37. The City will pay for the resurfacing of the Parking Lanes for an amount of $2,500.00. The funds will come out of MFT Funds. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adopt the Resolution Approving an Agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation Regarding Parking Lanes and Signal Improvements on Illinois Route 37 Between Broadway and Jordan Street. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing the Appropriation of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the Parking Lanes and Signal Improvement on Illinois Route 37 between Broadway and Jordan Street. This Resolution ties in with the previous one in the City can use $2,500.00 of their MFT Funds to pay for the costs of the paving of the parking lanes. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Resolution Authorizing the Appropriation of Motor Fuel Tax Funds for the Parking Lanes and Signal Improvements on Illinois 37 between Broadway and Jordan Street. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that he wanted to wish everyone in Mt. Vernon a Happy New Year.
Mayor Keen spoke regarding the “Lights in the Park”. Mayor Keen asked Reverend Perry to come forward and speak about this project. Reverend Perry stated that 9 churches had displays and a tenth church came out to help. Mr. Perry stated that the two nights were largely attended and many people made comments on the display. Reverend Perry stated that the churches would like to thank everyone that drove through the display and thank Richard Roach and the Park employees for their help. The churches plan to do the displays again next year and hope it gets bigger and better.
Council Member Ricky D. Heck reported that his free rides home on New Year’s Eve was the busiest night yet. He said that 43 people were given rides home instead of driving.
Mr. Steve Modert addressed Council regarding Open Acts and electronic media. City Attorney David R. Leggans explained that this is just expanding on the current open meetings act. Mr. Modert asked about e-mails between members of a public body. Mr. Leggans explained that e-mail is still being looked at because it is not instantaneous. E-mail is like mailing a letter. Mr. Modert asked about teleconferencing. Mr. Leggans explained how that instance would play out.
Mayor David E. Keen asked Derrick Quitsch to speak regarding City Wide Clean Up for 2007. Mr. Quitsch stated that City Wide Clean Up Day has been set for Saturday May 5, 2007 and the theme for this year is “Making Mt. Vernon Brighter”. Mr. Quitsch stated that he hopes this will be another very successful year for the project.
Mr. Robert Whiteside addressed Council regarding him and several other residents on South 18th Street. Mr. Whiteside stated that they had spoken to Mayor Keen a few days ago about some abandoned buildings in the neighborhood. Mr. Whiteside stated that there has already been action on the buildings and the neighborhood appreciates it.
Council Member Mike Walker asked Public Works Director Elbert Cain about a follow up on the railroad crossing on Rackaway near the transfer station. Mr. Cain stated that Dale Mick has been trying to talk to the railroad and they are not
responding to the calls. Mayor David E. Keen stated that Dale and Elbert have directions to call them daily until we get a response from them. The City cannot fix the damage, as it is railroad property.
Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to go into Executive Session Regarding Pending Litigation. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to adjourn the Regular City Council Meeting following the Executive Session. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.