Regular City Council Meeting
July 17, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, July 17, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. following a Public Hearing.
Mayor David E. Keen called the Regular City Council Meeting to order. Reverend Willie Green of Shiloh Baptist Church gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member John Howard, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor David E. Keen. Absent: Council Member Ricky D. Heck.
The journals for the June 19, 2006 Regular City Council Meeting, the July 5, 2006 Regular City Council Meeting and the July 7, 2006 City of Mt. Vernon Public Hearing and Special City Council Meeting were presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journals as presented. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for July 2006 in the amount of $ 850,045.16 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for July 2006 in the amount of $ 850,045.16 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that at this time he would like to vary the agenda for a presentation by Derrick Quitsch of the Inspection Department. Mr. Quitsch
entered with a pack of Cub Scouts that had participated in the City Wide Clean Up. Mr. Quitsch presented a trophy and $50.00 to the Cub Scout Pack for their participation and being the number 2 group for the Clean Up. The Scout Pack thanked Mr. Quitsch and stated that they did it to help the City stay clean. That they were proud of the City and want to help keep it clean and a good place to live.
City Manager Roy L. Payne presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Bypass Formal Bidding Procedures for the Purchase of a Covert Video System for the Mt. Vernon Police Department. The equipment will match up with the current equipment. The funds will come out of the General Corp Funds and will be reimbursed by drug seizure funds. Council Member Mike Walker asked if this request was to go out for bids. Mr. Payne stated that it was not, that it was to bypass formal bids. Mr. Walker asked what the cost of the equipment was. Mr. Payne stated that he did not know and Chief Mendenall was not present tonight. Mr. Walker stated that he would like to wait until the costs and more information is available before voting on this issue.
City Manager Roy L. Payne presented for Council’s consideration a Request to Seek Bids for the Renovation of the Interior of the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building. Mr. Payne stated that this would be for the carpet, remove the paneling, insulate, drywall and paint. Mr. Payne stated that this is a request to seek bids. Mr. Payne stated that this was included in the budget. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Seek Bids for the Renovation of the Interior of the Rolland W. Lewis Building at Veterans Park. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
City Manager Roy L. Payne presented for Council’s consideration a Request to Seek Proposals for the City’s Cellular Phone Services. Mr. Payne stated that the current contract expires soon and the proposals need to be in before the expiration of the contract. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Grant Permission to Seek Proposals for the City’s Cellular Phone Services. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
City Manager Roy L. Payne Requested an Executive Session be Held Following the Regular City Council Meeting Regarding Pending Enforcement Litigation.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 2910 Brownsville Road
from Class R-1 to Class R-M2. The petitioning party is Larry and Sue Stewart. Attorney Jim Hanson was present to represent the Stewarts. Mr. Hanson presented a plat map for Council to see how the property lays out. There is a low area and ditch and some of the property is in a flood plain. Mr. Hanson stated that there are several mobile homes in the neighborhood. The Stewarts own 18 acres and they want to rezone 5.4 acres for the mobile home. Mr. Hanson stated that there were no objectors present at the Planning/Zoning Meeting. Mayor David E. Keen asked if anyone else wished to speak in favor of the request. No one was heard. Mayor Keen asked if anyone wished to speak against this request by the Stewarts. No one was heard. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-31, an Ordinance to Rezone Property Located at 2910 Brownsville Road from Class R-2 to Class R-M2 for Larry and Sue Stewart. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 16275 North IL Highway 37 from Class R-1 to B-2. The Petitioning Parties are Terry and Jane Hall. Mr. Hall addressed Council saying that he and his wife would like to purchase this piece of property and build a nice beauty shop on the property. Mr. Dan Hamilton is the current owner and the sale is contingent upon the rezoning. Mr. Hall spoke regarding the businesses currently located in this vicinity and how with the road being a State Route you cannot expect it to stay residential long. Mr. Hall stated that this building would not be a blight to the area as he is going to spend $120,000 to $150,000 to build a new building. The property is now just an empty lot and does not enter into Hawthorne Hills Subdivision. The business would close before 7 or 8 p.m. at night and there would be only 6 or 7 vehicles on the premises at a time. This is a prime location for a business. Mr. Hall stated that the Planning/Zoning Board agreed to send this request to the City Council unanimously, even with the objections. Mr. Danny Hamilton, a resident of Hawthorne Hills stated that he is the current owner of the property and would like to see this property developed. Mr. Hamilton stated that he does not feel that this business would hurt the neighborhood at all and it would be a lucrative business.
Mayor David E. Keen asked if anyone wished to speak in opposition of this request. Mr. James Wilson who lives on the corner of Route 37 N and the Hawthorne Hills entrance spoke in objection. Mr. Wilson stated that this property is just to the north of his home. Mr. Wilson stated that he feels that this business would bring his property values down and they do not want to destroy the residential character of the neighborhood. Mr. Wilson stated that he also presented the same objections at the Planning/Zoning Board Meeting. Mr. Steve
Norris stated that he was a recent resident of Hawthorne Hills Subdivision and also spoke against this change in zoning. Mr. Norris stated that his issue is with the septic systems and this property actually being outside the city limits. Mrs. Carol Carpentier also spoke against the request. Ms. Carpentier is not a resident of the near area of Route 37 North. She is opposed also because of the septic system issues.
Mr. Hall again spoke stating that he has been a contractor for many years and he knows that any septic has to be put in by a licensed plumber and has to be inspected by several agencies before being hooked up. Mr. Hall stated that any and all work would be to codes.
City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this property is located outside of the City limits and is almost at the end of the City’s 1 ½ mile jurisdiction. Mayor David E. Keen stated that this would be first reading only and the second reading would be at the next Regular City Council Meeting August 7, 2006.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 510 S. 6th Street from Class R-1 to Class I-2. The petitioning party is Michael Federici DBA Shapiro Brothers. Mary Burgin and Michael Federici spoke regarding this property and request. Mrs. Burgin stated that the variance that they had requested was passed at the Planning/Zoning Commission Meeting on July 10, 2006. There were no objectors at the Planning/Zoning Meeting. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this is being done at the City’s request to get all the properties there in compliance. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-32, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 510 S. 6th Street from Class R-1 to Class I-2 for Petitioning Party Michael Federici DBA Shapiro Brothers. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 828 Old Fairfield Road. The petitioning parties are Joseph W. and Vera Jane Brown. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen, Absent: Heck. Motion by Council Member John Howard to adopt Ordinance # 2006-33, an Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 828 Old Fairfield Road for Petitioning Parties Joseph W. and Vera Jane Brown. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Vacating Airway Drive. The petitioning party is Eric Ashby. Attorney Jim Hanson was present to represent the petitioner. Mr. Hanson stated that Mr. Ashby would like to have this piece of Airway Drive vacated and receive the entire portion rather than having it split between the other property owners. Mr. Hanson stated that several years ago the statutes were changed to allow Council to give the entire portion to one petitioner. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that he did not remember this ever being done. The property is usually split between the property owners. Mr. Hanson stated that at one time this street ran to what is now onto the subdivision recently developed by Brian Edmison, but it does not now and it is basically a street that runs nowhere. Mr. Hanson sent a letter to the other property owner and had received no response from them, however her son stated that she was not interested in any property. Mayor David E. Keen stated that First Reading only would be held.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Declaring Property Commonly Known as 714 Herbert Street to be Surplus Property and Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Real Property. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this is property is from a lien and there is a neighbor interested in purchasing the property. The price of the property is $1,000.00. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Howard, Holt, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-34, an Ordinance Declaring Property Commonly Known as 714 Herbert to be Surplus Property and Authorizing Sale of Municipal Real Property. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Declaring Property Commonly Known as 529 South 19th Street to be Surplus Property and Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Real Property. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this is another property from a lien. Mr. Payne stated that the New Life Missionary Baptist Church have offered to purchase this property for $2,000.00. They are located across the street and would like to expand their parking space. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to adopt Ordinance # 2006-35, an Ordinance Declaring Property Commonly Known as 529 South 19th Street to be Surplus Property and Authorizing Sale of Municipal Real Property. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving a Contract for Professional Services between the City of
Mt. Vernon, IL and Peckham, Guyton, Albers and Viets, Inc. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this is for the feasibility study for a TIF District for Mt. Vernon. The cost is for $35,000.00 with $2,000.00 not to exceed. The study is to help us qualify for the TIF. Council Member Mike Walker asked if any other bids were received for this or if it had been advertised for bids or quotes. Mr. Payne stated that it had not because this is the company that had been recommended to the City by other cities that had done the studies. Council Member Walker stated that to spend this much money he thought it should be bid out. City Manager Payne stated that he would send out requests for bids and advertise.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Requesting Authorization to Close 11th Street between Prairie and Lamar Street on Friday, August 4, 2006 from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. for the Purpose of the Moore Family Reunion. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Resolution Requesting Authorization to Close 11th Street between Prairie Street and Lamar Street on Friday, August 4, 2006 from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. for the Purpose of the Moore Family Reunion. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Supplemental Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this would increase the allotment of MFT Funds by $32,000.00 to pay for the overage in the materials that will be needed to do the annual street maintenance. This will complete all of the scheduled streets. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Supplemental Resolution for Maintenance of Streets and Highways by Municipality Under the Illinois Highway Code. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that the City Manager announced at Staff Meeting last week that Tom Upchurch would be handling his normal job, but would also be taking on the duties of a Special Project Officer for the City. Tom’s duties will be as needed.
Mayor Keen stated that City Clerk Jackie Sharp had been approved by the Illinois Institute of Municipal Clerks and International Institute of Municipal Clerks as a Certified Municipal Clerk and asked Mrs. Sharp to tell what it took to become certified. Mrs. Sharp explained the schooling through the University of Illinois for three years to earn the Registered Municipal Clerk status and then the application and requirements to become a Certified Municipal Clerk.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that the City Hall On The Road Meeting would be held on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at Epworth United Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m.
Mayor Keen stated that the City had heartfelt sympathy for Finance Director Merle Hollmann who lost his mother and special prayers for Don Peacock in his continued fight against cancer.
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Horton Petties spoke regarding the south town merchants trying to clean up their properties and make it nicer. He said that a nice hardware store is needed in that end of town. Mr. Petties stated that the post office should be open very soon at Park Plaza. Mr. Petties stated that he would like to see a fence up at Dawson Park to protect the children. He thinks the East side of Northwest side of the park would keep children safe from running into the street or ditch. Mr. Petties hopes that persons running for election would get with the NAACP and have a forum before the election.
Mr. Bobby Farris asked if the new post office would have a lot of new lights around it so people could go there at night. Mr. Farris stated that he hopes Mt. Vernon gets some new jobs because they are needed.
Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to go into Executive Session as requested Regarding Pending Enforcement Litigation. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Council returned to open session at 9:46 p.m. Motion by Council Member John Howard to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.