Regular City Council Meeting
June 18, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session following a Public Hearing on Monday, June 18, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order and Reverend Randy Sims of the Christian Fellowship Church gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.
The journal for the June 4, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journal for the June 4, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
The
Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for June 2007 in the amount of $
1,142,039.47 were presented to Council for their consideration. Motion by
Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts
Payable for June 2007 in the amount of $1,142,039.47 as presented. Second by
Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and
Chesley.
Absent: Burgan.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids were received and read at 3:00 p.m. on June 15, 2007 for the Potomac Boulevard, Fairfax Drive, Cedarhurst Museum Sidewalk Project. Three bids were received. The bids were as follows:
Guinzy Const- Ashley, IL $ 152,164.73
Brieseacher Const- Mt. Vernon $ 300,460.00
Sheridan Concrete- Mt. Vernon $ 198,439.00
The Engineer’s estimate of the job was $ 121,758.60. Mr. Neibert stated that staff recommendation was to accept the low bid from Guinzy Construction in the amount of $ 152,164.73. Council Member Mike Walker asked about the big difference in the estimated amount and the bids. City Manager stated that it was likely due to the costs of the concrete, the landscaping and other costs that have risen. Money is budgeted. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to accept the low bid of Guinzy Construction in the amount of $152,164.73 for the Potomac Boulevard, Fairfax Drive, Cedarhurst Museum Sidewalk Projects. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request to Close Lake, Magnolia and Columbia Street for an Annual Fourth of July Block Party. Mrs. Terry Clark was present to represent the neighborhood and stated that this is an annual event and this would be the 22nd year for the party. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Grant Permission to Allow the Neighborhood to Close Magnolia, Columbia and Lake Streets for the Annual Fourth of July Block Party. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented a Request to Close Newby Street from South 11th Street to South 12th Street between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on June 29, 2007 for the Jones Family Reunion. Mrs. Carmen Jones spoke representing the Jones family saying that they have done this for a few years. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Grant Permission to Close Newby Street from South 11th Street to South 12th Street between 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on June 29, 2007 for the Jones Family Reunion. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Article 21 of the Revised Code of Ordinances Establishing Zoning and Zoning Regulations for Bed and Breakfast Establishments. Mayor Chesley stated that this has been gone over and discussed at a Workshop Meeting by the Council and heard from the citizens regarding this request. Ms. Chesley stated that it was gone through to try to make the Ordinance more accommodating. Council Member David Wood asked if the Ordinance copy in the book has the changes discussed on it. Mayor Chesley stated that the changes are in this copy based on the discussion at the Workshop Meeting. Council Member Mike Walker asked about the regulations concerning Bed and Breakfasts having parties or receptions. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that that was not included in the Ordinance.
Ms. Emily Nixon addressed Council asking that they explain to the citizens of Mt. Vernon why they think it is a good idea to allow a business in a residential area like this. Or to not have an area that is exempt from this type of zoning as this is changing a precedence. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that this Ordinance just addresses allowing the changes, then when someone actually wants to operate a Bed & Breakfast; they would have to come before Council individually. This is just an overall Ordinance pertaining to Bed & Breakfasts.
Council Member David Wood stated that there are two items here, one would be a specific location for operating a Bed & Breakfast and this one pertaining to being able to operate a Bed & Breakfast at all. Council Member Shirilyn Holt stated that she had again contacted a few Bed & Breakfast operations and two that answered her are operating out of residential districts of their cities. Council Member Mike Walker stated that each request should be handled as case by case items and looked at individually.
Mr. Steve Modert spoke regarding the issuance of a Conditional Use permit and if it could be voided. He was asking about the possibility of an application not being complete or has errors in it. City Attorney David R. Leggans stated that the question asked does not have anything to do with the Bed & Breakfast issue. Mr. Modert stated that the City has no legal foundation to revoke a Conditional Use once issued. Mr. Leggans stated that if the Conditional Use is issued in deceit the City can revoke the action by giving the person issued the Conditional Use a letter of revocation. This is a Zoning enforcement of a violation and has 30 days to comply. Mr. Modert stated that the Conditional Use permit is being used to safeguard the citizens and it doesn’t.
Mayor Chesley stated that this discussion could be held later and this Bed and Breakfast issue needs to be concluded. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-30 an Ordinance Amending Article 21 of the Revised Code of Ordinances Establishing Zoning and Zoning Regulations for Bed and Breakfast Establishments. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code Regarding Travel Trailer Park as a Conditional Use Within the General Agriculture Zone. Mr. David Parker of Coldwell Bankers Realtors addressed Council regarding this request. Mr. Parker has a client that would like to operate an upscale RV Park on property just off East IL Route 15. Mr. Parker stated that they had looked over other properties and Mt. Vernon won out over Effingham. The company has put a very large deposit on the property already. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-31, an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code Regarding Travel Trailer Park as a Conditional Use Within the General Agriculture Zoning. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Article 6 “Alcoholic Liquors” of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Mt. Vernon. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that the Liquor Advisory Board has discussed this Ordinance change since last September. The Board had gone through the Ordinance line-by-line and made corrections and suggestions to the Mayor as Liquor Commissioner. Council has had a chance to look over and read the Ordinance and discuss the changes. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-32, an Ordinance Amending Article 6 “Alcoholic Liquors” of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Mt. Vernon. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 2803 Benton Road from Class FP to Class B2. The petitioning party is Randy Fitzjerrells. This rezoning is to build an auto repair business. There was no one present to speak for the petitioner. First Reading was held.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the Ordinance Establishing an Enterprise Zone Within the City of Mt. Vernon. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this has to do with the Waltonville Expansion of the Zone. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood, and Chesley. Absent: Burgan. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-33, an Ordinance Establishing an Enterprise Zone Within the City of Mt. Vernon. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt. Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Church for Property at 1110, 1112, and 1114 South 12th Street and 1116 Herbert Street. The petitioning party is New Life Missionary Baptist Church. City Engineer John Porter stated that there were no objectors present at the Planning and Zoning Board Meeting. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-34, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Church for Property at 1110, 1112 and 1114 South 12th Street and 1116 Herbert for Petitioning Party New Life Missionary Baptist Church. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding the Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County Enterprise Zone. City Manager Ron
Neibert stated that this was the subject of the Public Hearing held before the Regular Meeting tonight. This goes along with the expansion of the Enterprise Zone for the Village of Waltonville. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement Regarding the Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County Enterprise Zone with Waltonville. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing an Application for a Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant. Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that this is a no match grant if received. The amount of the grant is $16,739.00. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution Granting Permission to Apply for a $16,739.00 Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grant for the Police Department. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley pointed out the billboard sign to the left of the Council tables. Mayor Chesley stated that Bonnie Jerdon of the Convention and Tourism Department had prepared it to advertise current events in the City that would show when the Council Meeting is televised.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley introduced and welcomed Mr. George Bryant as the new Parks and Recreation Director. Mr. Bryant comes to Mt. Vernon from Salem and Troy, Illinois. Mr. Bryant spoke thanking the City for the opportunity to come back to Mt. Vernon and work.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley presented for Council’s advice and consent the name of Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent to be appointed as the City’s EMA Coordinator. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent to be the City’s EMA Coordinator. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked for Council’s advice and consent of the re-appointment of Mr. Rick Kirkpatrick to the Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Kirkpatrick is currently the Chairman of the Commission. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the Mayor’s re-appointment of Rick Kirkpatrick to the Historic Commission. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Mayor Chesley stated that one of the topics of conversation in town has been that we lost a major business lately because we did not offer a TIF or more attractive packages. Ms. Chesley stated that another City put in a more attractive package for this business such as land acquisition and sales tax incentives. Ms.
Chesley stated that the statement that we did not get this business because another City offered more is a wrong assumption. This is a very competitive issue. We are working on a more attractive package and incentives to encourage businesses to come to Mt Vernon and hopefully they will be successful.