Public Hearing
Special City Council Meeting
July 7, 2006
The City of Mt. Vernon City Council met for a Public Hearing on Friday, July 7, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Mayor David E. Keen called the Public Hearing to order and read the Notice of Special Meeting. The notice read as follows:
“ I, Mayor David E. Keen, hereby call a Special Meeting of the Mt. Vernon City Council on Friday, July 7, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois. The purpose of this meeting is for such action as the Council may desire on the following matters:
1. A Public Hearing to Receive Comments and Input Regarding the North Davidson Drive Project.
2. Consideration of a Resolution of Support for the North Davidson Drive Project.
Dated in Mt. Vernon, Illinois this 28th day of June 2006.”
David E. Keen, Mayor
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 Keen stated that the Public Hearing was now open.
City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this Public Hearing was to present the North Davidson Drive Project and receive comments and input from the public. Mr. Payne stated that this would be for an application for a DCEO Block Grant. The DCEO has freed up $8 million dollars for Block Grant Funds for the General Economic Development Component. The proposed grant application will be in the amount of $375,000.00. The program allows $15,000.00 per job created to a grant ceiling of $750,000.00.
The activities will include building 1670 LF of 28 ft wide street. Once this section is completed, North Davidson Drive will be a through street from Broadway to Lake Terrace Drive. Total cost of construction is estimated at $403,770.00. The local match will be $80,754.00. As part of the local match of this grant program, a developer has agreed to construct a facility to house two trucking firms. The City of Mt. Vernon will complete the match/construction cost of Davidson in the amount of $ 28,770.00.
It is estimated that a minimum of 25 jobs will be created within 24 months and that over 51% of these jobs will be filled by low to moderate-income individuals.
The proposed activities will not result in displacement of any person or household.
The following is a detailed, prioritized list of Community Development needs for Mt. Vernon:
A. Provide safe, decent and affordable housing for moderate, low to very low-income residents.
B. Repair of replace public facilities in areas that have been developed for residential use.
C. Preserve existing housing stock.
D. Remove the blight influence from residential and commercial areas.
E. Remove trash, debris, and weeds from all areas of the community.
F. Develop and enact ordinances, which will promote new subdivisions and housing construction.
G. Promote new residential construction thru private and public funding in low to moderate-income household neighborhoods.
H. Promote the creation of new jobs thru private and public funding.
Mr. Payne stated that this project would be Phase I. Phase II would be ROW from Potomac to Davidson Drive for relief from Potomac Drive. This would also open areas for retail establishments. Possible Phase III could be a street from Davidson to Shiloh Drive. JCDC could offer input to open up 80 acres of Rolland W. Lewis Industrial Centre. This could also cut 1 to 1 ½ miles off for the Walgreen trucks to get in and out of the center that would save time and gas
costs for some of their trucks. Davidson Drive could be connected this calendar year. Mayor Keen stated that there has been discussion of Rend Lake College building a new building on their property.
Council Member Mike Walker asked if this project would give some relief to the traffic congestion with the workers leaving the Walgreens area. Mr. Payne stated that this part of the project is being looked into.
Mayor David E. Keen asked if anyone else had any questions on this project. Hearing none, Mayor David E. Keen closed the Public Hearing portion of this meeting.
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Special City Council Meeting on July 7, 2006 following a Public Hearing regarding the North Davidson Drive Project.
Mayor David E. Keen called the Special Meeting to order.
City Manager Roy L. Payne presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution of Support for a CDAP Grant Application. Mr. Payne stated that this is the Project that was just discussed at the Public Hearing, the North Davidson Drive Project.
Mayor David E. Keen asked if Council or anyone present had any additional comments or questions regarding this project. None were heard.
Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt the Resolution of Support for the City Applying for a CDAP Grant for the North Davidson Drive Project. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to adjourn this Special City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.