CITY OF MT

City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

City Council Workshop Meeting

City Hall On the Road

June 13, 2006

The Mt. Vernon City Council met for a Workshop Meeting on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at the Summersville Grade School. This was a City Hall On The Road Meeting.

Mayor David E. Keen called the Workshop Meeting to order. Roll call showed present: Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor David E. Keen. Absent: Heck and Howard. Mayor Keen asked the panel to introduce themselves. The following were present: Merle Hollmann - Finance Director, Mary Jo Pemberton - Human Resources Director, Roy Payne - City Manager, Chris Mendenall - Police Chief, Wes Plummer - Park Coordinator, Bonnie Jerdon - Tourism, John Porter - Engineering and Inspection, Mayor David E. Keen and City Council Member Mike Walker.

Mayor Keen introduced Finance Director Merle Hollmann to present a power point presentation of the City finances. Mr. Hollmann stated that the role of the City is to give services and the revenue to the City has to pay for the services given. Mr. Hollmann showed a pie chart showing where the funds come from and where the funds go. Mr. Hollmann spoke on taxes and grant funds and the amounts the City receives from those sources. Mr. Hollmann introduced Mrs. Mary Jo Pemberton - Human Resources Director for her presentation. Mrs. Pemberton spoke about how to apply for a position with the City. Mrs. Pemberton stated that the City usually employs 170 full-time employees. During the summer months the number rises to around 225 due to hiring of extra help for mowing, the pool work and day camp workers. The City is the 8^th largest employer in the City. Mrs. Pemberton stated that the City is an EEOC employer. She explained how the Police and Fire Department establish their hiring lists and how the regular applicants are hired. Mrs. Pemberton introduced City Manager Roy L. Payne.

Mr. Payne spoke regarding the City’s IT Department in the absence of Tom Upchurch. Mr. Payne spoke about the City’s website and how to access the website. Mr. Payne stated that the website is updated regularly with information and minutes, etc. The City Ordinances are now on line. Mr. Payne stated that in the future, there are hopes of being able to apply for permits and possibly license online. Mr. Payne stated that everyone is going to technology and the City is trying to get onboard. Mr. Payne introduced Police Chief Chris Mendenall.

Police Chief Mendenall spoke regarding the make up of the Police Department and some of the services they provide. The Police Department has 60 total employees from sworn officers, telecommunicators, secretaries and ticket officer. Mr. Mendenall explained the many areas of the police department such as traffic division, elderly division, juvenile division and many more. Mr. Mendenall introduced Mr. Wes Plummer of the Parks Department.

Mr. Plummer stated that the City Pool would be up and running to open next week. It has taken longer to refinish the pool than was expected, but it is done and the bathhouse remodeling is finished and hopefully the pool repairs will last a long time. The original pool was built as a pool for seven years or so and it has been in operation for years. Mr. Plummer spoke about other repairs and work that has been done this year for the Parks. Mr. Plummer spoke about the basketball courts being resurfaced and the OSLAD Grant that was used at Lincoln Park. The Brenden Klein Field will be developed and be able to be used next year. There will be shelters built at Lincoln Park also for picnics. Mr. Plummer introduced Mrs. Bonnie Jerdon of the Mt. Vernon Convention and Tourism Department.

Mrs. Jerdon stated that the department was established in the mid 1980’s to market the City of Mt. Vernon as a tourist area. The Visitors Center was built in the early 1990’s and it houses the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Department and the new Jefferson County Development Corporation. Mrs. Jerdon stated that there are 13 hotels in the City with 1,227 rooms and there are 60 restaurants. This makes Mt. Vernon very attractive for tourist stops and visitors. The Tourism Department does a lot of advertising, brochures, and promotions to encourage visitors to stop and stay in the City. The Department received $66,000.00 in tourism grants in 2005 to help promote the City. Mt. Vernon has several annual events that attract visitors and tourism dollars to the City. Mrs. Jerdon introduced John Porter City Engineer and the Inspection Department.

Mr. Porter spoke regarding the work done by the Engineering Department. Mr. Porter stated that the Engineering Department does a lot of the work needed before projects can be started for the Public Works Department and the Public Utilities Department. Mr. Porter explained his duties as Building Inspector. That department issues building permits, excavation permits, demolition permits, review plans for any buildings and enforce codes on building projects. Mr. Porter spoke regarding the street maintenance program. The Council makes a list each year and narrows it down when they know the costs and the amount of MFT Funds available. Mr. Porter introduced City Manager Roy L. Payne.

City Manager Roy L. Payne spoke regarding the future projects and impacts. Mr. Payne spoke about the Rolland W. Lewis Industrial Centre Phase II. Mr. Payne stated that the City recently sold 5 acres to a trucking firm that will create 25 new jobs in the area. The City has been working on connecting Davidson Avenue to the road back to Walgreen’s and eventually to 148 & 142. The City just received word of a $27 million dollar armory out west that would employ 400 to 500 employees. The overpass/interchange project will open up a lot of new areas to build on. Rend Lake Conservancy District has considered a main feed to serve Mt. Vernon. Mr. Payne spoke regarding several new housing developments that are being considered and an intermediate care home. Mr. Payne stated that hopefully some of the projects would begin construction very soon.

Mayor David E. Keen stated that at this time he would like to open the floor for any questions, concerns or comments. Mr. Ed Skelton asked about the water problems in the area of Burns, Meadowbrook and East Harrison Streets. Mr. Skelton stated that there are open ditches and they overflow into people’s yards and water stands in them after even a small rain causing mosquito problems and other issues. Mr. Skelton stated that some of the property may not be in the City limits, but tiles or something is needed to make the water flow and not stand in the open ditches. Mr. Skelton stated that where the three new homes were built on Burns water stands in their yards because it can’t flow away. Mayor Keen stated that he would have this problem looked into.

Mr. Terry McLean spoke regarding the fact that the school at Summersville does not have bus transportation to the school and many of the students would like to ride their bicycles to school but there are not sidewalks in certain areas. Mr. McLean asked if the City could redo the sidewalks. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that the City limits only go to Stinson Drive but the city will look into the issue.

Mrs. Rose Hirons asked when Airport Road would be finished. Mayor David E. Keen stated that it would likely be in the next couple of years. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that Phase II would be done in a couple of years. The water lines are in and the sewer but the funds are limited so projects have to be done and funded in phases and different years.

Mrs. Virginia Bain stated that the project began four years ago but has stopped. Mayor Keen stated that again the entire City has to be looked at and repairs funded as they can be. The City is trying to develop a capital plan for the entire City for a long term. Mrs. Hirons asked about the new homes to be built at Tolle Road and Old Fairfield Road. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that these homes are to be built by the Morrisey Company with IHDA Grant Funding so he does not know where they are at on their grant money right now.

Mrs. Marsha Spiller asked about the sidewalks on Airport Road. Mrs. Spiller stated that an unfinished project like Airport Road does not speak well for the City. Mayor Keen again explained that the funding has to be distributed all around the City.

Mrs. Melody Reaney asked about the Fireworks Law that was recently signed into law by the Governor regarding the sale of fireworks. Mayor David E. Keen stated that he would like Mrs. Reaney and Kevin Sargent to meet with him in his office regarding this matter. Mrs. Reaney was asked to call and schedule an appointment.

Mrs. Mary Davis asked about the proposed railroad overpass that has been talked about for several years. Mayor Keen stated that there are no plans in the near future for a project like this and it would require a lot of funding. Mr. Donnie Moyer asked about the $69 million dollars that had been put aside in Springfield for this overpass railroad project several years ago. He asked where the money went. City Engineer John Porter spoke regarding a conceptual idea of possibly diverting traffic someday around Liebengood and other areas to miss the tracks. The question of an overpass on Main and Broadway was discussed and it was decided that there would be problems with the businesses and residents in the area and an overpass would cause hardships on the area businesses. Mr. Ed Skelton asked how many people use the railroad tracks near the high school. National Railway and Shapiro’s both use the tracks a lot.

Mrs. Alice Ingram asked who she needed to talk to regarding mowing and cleaning the ditches near her house. She said that she has paid a man to mow and clean them for several years and she thinks the City should take care of them. She also would like the City to build sidewalks in the area of her home and tile the ditches. It was decided that Mrs. Ingram lives in the County, not the City limits so she was advised to contact Mr. Ted Buck of the County Board and talk to him.

Mr. Virgil Staples asked about why the firemen/paramedics could no longer ride in the ambulance and go on emergency calls. He stated that he felt safer when the fire department went on the emergency calls. Mrs. Mary Ann Morris also stated that she thought that the paramedics need to be back on the ambulances. Mayor Keen stated that it was not the City’s decision. Littons ambulance owners notified the City that they would not let the City Firemen/pramedics ride in the ambulances any longer. Mrs. Morris was concerned that the paramedics would not be further trained if they are not riding in the ambulances. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that the paramedics will continue to train and answer mutual aid calls as usual. The City paramedics cannot transport victims. Fireman Scott Pennington stated that before June 1, Mt. Vernon paramedics were guaranteed to be on the ambulance calls. Mr. Pennington explained the levels of paramedics up ALS. Mayor Keen stated that Litton’s has assured that they will have ALS personnel on their calls. Mr. Pennington asked why the City could not continue to be the first responders. He feels that this is a loss to the citizens of Mt. Vernon. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that the City has met with Litton’s and the hospital regarding the regulations of paramedics. Greg Norfleet of Register News asked if Litton’s has paramedics and the City has paramedics all ALS why can’t the city continue to hand off. This would give equal or better service. Russell Reaney asked if you could call and request that the fire department be sent out. Mayor Keen stated that he has a meeting set up with Lifestar Ambulance owner to discuss response also.

Mrs. Marsha Spiller stated that she would like to hold another meeting in this area because there are a lot of unanswered questions still.

Mayor David E. Keen thanked everyone for attending this meeting and for the discussions. Mayor Keen stated that he believes this helps both the public and the City talk and open the public’s ideas up for the City.