City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois
Regular City Council Meeting
June 4, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, June 4, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the community building in Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order and Reverend Bob Meyer of Victory Christian Center gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.
The journal for the May 21, 2007, Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journal as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for June 2007 in the amount of $ 561,044.72 were presented to Council for their consideration. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for June 2007 in the amount of $ 561,044.72 as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids were received for a Traffic Safety Trailer for the Police Department. There were two bids received. The bids were given to Police Chief Chris Mendenall to open. He will report the results later in the meeting.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids were received for Tactical Vests for the Police Department. There was only one bid received. The bid was given to Police Chief Chris Mendenall to open. He will report the results later in the meeting.
City Manager Ron Niebert stated that bids were received for two (2) trucks for the Public Utilities Department. Only one bid was received and it was opened on June 5, 2007 by the City Manager and Equipment Maintenance Director Bill Reininger. The result of the bid was:
Ford Square of Mt. Vernon - 1 - 2008 small utility truck $14,740.30, which is well below the estimated amount.
- 1 - 2008 one-ton Crew cab Truck w/ Service Body. $35,488.14. This is above the estimated amount, but the utility bed came in quite a bit higher than expected. Mr. Reininger spoke to the dealer and asked if they would come down any on the bid price. They agreed to come down by $300.00 so the final price is $35,188.14.
Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to accept the bid from Ford Square of Mt. Vernon for both vehicles at a total of $ 49,928.44 for both. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert asked if Police Chief Mendenall was finished with his bid results. Chief Mendenall stated that he was ready. Two bids were received for the Traffic Safety Trailer. The bids were as follows:
MPH of Owensboro, KY. - $10,213.00
Decatur Electric – Decatur, IL. - $11,775.00
Chief Mendenall stated that the low bid from MPH, the item was not available and did not meet all of the specs, so he recommended the acceptance of the bid from Decatur Electric in the amount of $ 11,775.00 for the trailer that does meet specs. City Manager Ron Neibert concurred. Motion by Council Member David Wood to accept the bid from Decatur Electric for the Traffic Safety Trailer. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Police Chief Mendenall stated that there was only one bid received for the Tactical Vests for the Police Department. The bid was as follows:
Ray O’ Herron of Danville, IL. - 15 vests for $ 22,950.00.
These vests are heavier and will stop the higher ammunition. Also there were 12 vests budgeted and 15 vests bid. Chief Mendenall stated that the bid was over the budgeted amount, but he could make up some of the difference elsewhere. Chief Mendenall recommended the acceptance of the bid from Ray O’Herron for 15 vests in the amount of $22,950.00. City Manager Ron Neibert concurred. Motion by Council Member David E. Wood to accept the bid from Ray O’Herron for the 15 vests for the Police Department in the amount of $22,950.00. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Ron Neibert requested Reallocation of Funds for the 2007/2008 Budget. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Reallocation of Funds for the 2007/08 Budget as requested. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert requested an Executive Session be held following the Regular City Council Meeting for Discussion of Purchase of Real Estate and Pending Litigation.
CITY ATTORNEY
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard 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 a Bed and Breakfast Establishment.
Council Member David Wood stated that he would like to remind everyone that this Ordinance is separate from the Sidwell property and that using this Ordinance to try to stop this Bed and Breakfast from being requested. This Ordinance could discourage all Bed and Breakfasts. The State Statute 21-600-7 describes what a Bed and Breakfast is. The City should encourage not discourage these types of business. Mr. Wood stated that he could not vote on this Ordinance as it is written. Mr. Wood spoke regarding the restriction on domestic help, and stated that he took it to mean you could not have any cleaning service or catering done except by the owner. The restriction of the owner having to live on the premises and operate the business themselves is very restrictive as they may not be as qualified as someone else to run the business. Mr. Wood spoke regarding the restriction of having three bedrooms.
Council Member Shirilyn Holt stated that she visited sites on line to see what other communities were doing with the Bed & Breakfast issues. Ms. Holt stated that there are a lot of Bed & Breakfasts in Illinois. Council Member Burgan stated that she had also gone online to check Bed & Breakfasts and she found an Illinois Bed and Breakfast Association. Out of fifteen of the Bed & Breakfasts south of Effingham, she called eight of them to ask questions regarding their businesses regarding the cleaning, off street parking, etc. Discussion was held regarding the allowing of alcohol.
Mr. Bob Shaw, the Attorney for Emily Nixon addressed Council regarding her objections to having a B & B in any residential area of town. Mr. Shaw stated that he realizes that there has been a lot of work done on this area and there are several points of agreement. Mt. Vernon has never had a Bed & Breakfast Ordinance and there needs to be one established.
Mr. Larry Sidwell, the owner of a proposed B & B, spoke regarding possibly holding receptions, showers and parties at the B & B. Council Member Wood asked about the parking again. Mr. Sidwell stated that he had read that there had to be enough parking for each 200 square feet of building.
Ms. Emily Nixon stated that she is not against a B & B, just not in any residential areas. She feels there should be no businesses in any residential areas as it changes the character of the neighborhoods. Ms. Nixon gave Council several reasons not to operate a B&B in a residential district.
Mrs. Lynette Fair also of Wilshire Drive stated that she did not want a B&B next to her home. She would like Council to protect the residential districts. She is not against the B&B, but just not in a residential area.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley suggested that Council send this back to Planning and Zoning with suggestions to redo some of the Ordinance. Council Member David Wood stated that the decision will ultimately be the Council’s decision and he is not in favor of going back to step one again with the Planning and Zoning Board. Council Member Mike Walker suggested that Council hold a Workshop Meeting and make recommendations for this Ordinance. Council Member Wood also suggested tabling this item until a Workshop Meeting can be held before the next Council Meeting on June 18, 2007. Council Member Walker agreed. The item was tabled until a Workshop is held.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the Zoning Code Regarding Travel Trailer Parks as a Conditional Use Within the General Agricultural Zone. City Manager Ron Neibert introduced Mr. David Parker to discuss this proposal. Mr. Parker stated that he works with Coldwell Bankers Real Estate and has a piece of property behind Neikrenz Nursery that a client is interested in making a First Class Travel Trailer Park on. The property is zoned AG. The client is planning on making 125 spaces for trailers, building a clubhouse and a pool for the park and possibly having a convenience store. Council Member Mary Burgan asked how long a trailer could stay on the property. Mr. Neibert stated that they would stay three or four days likely on the way to another location. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Council Member Mike Walker asked to just hold First Reading because there are some questions he has regarding this item. First Reading was held.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Regarding Prevailing Wage Rates. This is an annual Ordinance that the City passes. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-29, an Ordinance Regarding Prevailing Wage Rates. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for First Reading an Ordinance Amending Article 6 “Alcoholic Liquors” of the Revised Code of Ordinances of the City of Mt. Vernon. Mayor Chesley stated that the Liquor Advisory Board has been working on the Ordinance since September 2006. The changes are to the Liquor Ordinance adopted in 1999. The Liquor Board has done final reviews on the changes and corrections and has presented it to Council for their determinations. Council Member Mike Walker asked that Council be provided a copy of the current ordinance so they can check the changes. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he had e-mailed the current Ordinance to Council on Friday. Council Member Walker stated that he did not receive it and Council Member Wood stated that it came through too small to read. Council will be provided the document and it was decided to have First Reading Only.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Credit Application and Organizational Resolution and Agreement for a Credit Card Program. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the City previously utilized Debit Cards and the Auditors suggested we go to Credit Cards and not the Debit Cards for record keeping. This is a Resolution allowing the City to apply for Credit Cards for City Use. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt the Resolution Approving Credit Card Application and Organizational Resolution and Agreement for Credit Card Program for the City. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Requesting a Public Hearing at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building, Veterans Park, Mt. Vernon, Illinois on Monday, July 16, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. for Consideration of the Homestead Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project and Redevelopment Area of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that there were errors discovered in the Homestead, Doe Valley application for Annexation. The required process is to rehold the Public Hearing and on the TIF, Rezoning and Annexation. Then proceed with the processes to pass the TIF Ordinance to establish the TIF. Meanwhile the City can re-establish negotiations with the Homestead Developers. Mayor Chesley asked if this means that we are going back to square one with this project. Mr. Neibert said just back to the Public Hearing and then the 45-day wait period. The issues will all be addressed at one meeting. Mayor Chesley stated that she has a couple of questions regarding TIF districts and she hopes they can be answered at this scheduled meeting. Motion by Council Member David Wood to adopt the Resolution Requesting a Public Hearing at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park, Mt. Vernon, Illinois be held on Monday, July 16, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. for Consideration of the Homestead TIF Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project and Redevelopment Area of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Mayor Chesley stated that normally there is a camera person from Charter present to tape the meetings and when people spoke they would be staring into a blank wall. Mayor Chesley asked Bonnie Jerdon of the Tourism Department to provide something to set up showing the coming events for the City, so the area would not be blank.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the Mayor had a birthday and there was cake and punch set up following the Regular Meeting.
A member of the audience asked that the microphones and audio be fixed so the Council can be heard better.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to go into Executive Session to Discuss Purchase or Sale of Real Estate and Pending Litigation.
Council returned to Regular Session following Executive Session. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.