Regular City Council Meeting
March 19, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, March 19, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor David E. Keen called the Regular Meeting to order and Reverend Michael Sheets of Meadowbrook Christian Church gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Ricky D. Heck, Council Member John Howard, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor David E. Keen. Absent: Council Member Shirilyn Holt.
The journals for the March 5, 2007 Public Hearing and the March 5, 2007 City Council Regular Meeting were presented for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to approve the journals for the March 5, 2007 Public Hearing and the March 5, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for March 2007 in the amount of $ 906,208.26 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for March 2007 in the amount of $ 906,208.26 as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that four bids were received for the purchase of the City owned house located across from Veterans Park at 805 South 27th Street. The house had been advertised for sale and sealed bids were received until 5:00 p.m. today. Council agreed to open the sealed bids. Mr. Neibert will present the results of the bids later in the Council meeting.
City Manager Ron Neibert introduced Mr. Jim Leuty of Krehbiel and Associates to present the Annual City Audit Results. Mr. Leuty stated that the City Audit is for figures as of April 30, 2006 in a 98-page report. Mr. Leuty stated that the Audit is a Clean Audit Report and the City is consistent with its assets. Mr. Leuty stated that the City has $8 to $9 million in unrestricted assets and just under $14 million in revenue. Expenses were $13 million. Revenue from Sales Tax is at 58%, down from 61% last year. The Police and Fire Departments expenses take 45% of the expenses. Mr. Leuty stated that the City has virtually no debts in the General Corp Funds and the Bond rating is AAA. The General Obligation Bonds will be paid off in 2008. Mr. Leuty stated that the only operating loss is in the Public Utility Department Funds. That fund tends to run at a loss annually. The summary of the audit shows that the only real reportable condition is that the inventory within the Public Utilities Department needs to be handled better, but it is understandable that there would be issues there. The crews work at night and on emergency basis’ so the pick up and delivery of parts can be the last thing on their minds late into the night.
Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that the property tax rates have not changed much. Mr. Hollmann stated that the State Comptroller has issued the 2005 Report Card and the per capita debt is $76.00 for cities our size. Mr. Hollmann stated that the city purchased two new fire trucks for $320,000.00 and did not have to finance them. The City is still waiting to hear about money we could receive from IEMA for the storm.
Mr. Leuty all in all stated that the City’s financial condition looks very good and he thanked the City staff for all of their help again this year in the budget work.
City Manager Ron Neibert asked Council for Permission to Seek Bids for Scoreboards at Klein Field at Lincoln Park. Mr. Neibert stated that on March 24 the Rams will have a double header and an opening ceremony at 1:00 p.m. The Grand Opening will be held later on May 5, 2007. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Grant Permission to Seek Bids for Scoreboards for Lincoln Park. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert reported on the Bids received for the Sale of the House at 805 South 27th Street. The four bids received were as follows:
Donald Smith and Mary Smith of Flora, IL $31,600.00
Troy J. Parrish – Mt. Vernon, IL $41,655.00
Robert McGovern – Salem, IL $40,000.00
Charles Jones – Mt. Vernon, IL $21,000.01
The results of the bids will be referred to the Executive Session.
City Manager Ron Neibert Requested an Executive Session following this Regular City Council Meeting Regarding the Sale of Real Estate.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 2803 Veterans Memorial Drive from Class R2 to Class B2. The petitioning party is Larry Poston. Mr. Brian Edmison was present to represent Mr. Poston. Mr. Edmison stated that Mr. Poston would like to build more storage units like the ones he has next to these lots. The property is surrounded by B2 Zonings on three sides. Mr. Edmison asked if Council would suspend the rules so Mr. Poston can get started on his buildings. Mr. Edmison stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission have approved the Rezoning unanimously with no objectors. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-15, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 2803 Veterans Memorial Drive from Class R2 to Class B2 for Petitioning Party Larry Poston. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at # 3 Fairway Drive from Class FP to Class R3. The petitioning party is Doe Valley Golf Course. Mr. Mark Miller spoke representing Mr. Roger Campbell of Doe Valley Golf Course. Mr. Miller stated that they are requesting that the property, which is 78 acres, be rezoned from Flood Plain to R3 to allow for building housing units on the property. Mr. Miller asked if there are no objections, if the rules could be suspended to vote.
Mr. Gene Rettig of #16 Edgewood Drive addressed Council regarding this request. Mr. Rettig stated that he had some concerns and questions regarding this request. Mr. Rettig stated that he has lived there since 1965 and he was not aware of the flood plain zoning until he saw it in the paper today. Mr. Rettig stated that #3 Fairway Drive is where Mr. And Mrs. Perino lives so why would Doe Valley be rezoning that property. The property in question should actually be # 22 Fairway Drive so the address on the request is incorrect. Mr. Rettig asked if the entire area is flood plain or just the golf course. Mr. Miller stated that all of the property is not a flood plain, just a small portion of it. Mr. Miller stated that the City had the authority to designate the zoning, so they chose to zone it as flood plain. 55 or 56 acres of the property is not in a flood plain. Mr. Rettig stated that he did not care for the statement that this is a blighted area. He does not
consider his home to be a blighted area. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the blighted area is just a statutory definition for the TIF area. It is a term that is used to designate TIF property. Mr. Rettig asked if this is a necessary motion before the project can proceed. City Engineer John Porter stated that this is a necessary step, as homes could not be built on flood plain property. Mr. Rettig stated that he missed the Public Hearing on this issue as he was out of town. He stated that this is the third time that this property has come up for this rezoning. Mr. Rettig asked about the traffic on Homestead. He asked about the construction traffic to be able to build the complex and how they propose to get entrance into the property. Mr. Rettig spoke in detail regarding the traffic and the problems with the traffic, curbs, gutters etc. Mr. Rettig asked about the infrastructure to access the property and who would pay for the infrastructure. Mr. Miller stated that the funds would come back from the TIF District.
Mrs. Pat Rettig of #16 Edgewood Drive stated that she does object to this request and would like for the proposal to be held over for a Second Reading due to objectors. Mayor David E. Keen stated that this would be First Reading only.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 12430 East Bethel Road from Class AG to Class RM2. The petitioning party is Patrick Gee. Mr. Dennis Lehman, a relative of Mr. Gee, was present to represent Mr. Gee. Mr. Gee wants to place a new double wide or modular home on this property to live in. Mr. Lehman stated that there were no objectors at the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-16, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 12430 East Bethel Road from Class AG to Class RM2 for Petitioning Party Patrick Gee. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Revising the Zoning Code Ordinance. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the Council had previously passed an Ordinance to increase the size of the Zoning and Planning Commission from seven members to eleven members, but failed to revise the Section 21-1111.3 of Article 21. This Ordinance will clear up the Ordinance. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-17, an Ordinance Revising the Zoning Code Ordinance as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Right of First Refusal Between the City of Mt. Vernon and
Ray Black & Sons Construction, Inc. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this gives Black and Sons the First Right of Refusal for Property at Lot 6 in the Rolland W. Lewis Industrial Centre, Subdivision No. 3, Jefferson County, Illinois. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Resolution Approving the Right of First Refusal between the City of Mt. Vernon and Ray Black and Sons Construction, Inc. as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving an Agreement for Reimbursable Utility Adjustment Regarding Veterans Memorial Drive. City Manager Neibert stated that this is in regards to the Overpass/Interchange Project. We have known for three years that the lines would need to be moved and it has come time to begin work on it. The City’s cost will be $116,000.00 from the $139,000.00 Project. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to Approve the Resolution Approving an Agreement for Reimbursable Utility Adjustment Regarding Veterans Memorial Drive. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration Four Resolutions Requesting IDOT Approval for Temporary Closure of Certain Streets for the “Salute to Freedom Fireworks” at the Airport on July 4, 2007, the Annual Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival Parade on August 18, 2007, the Annual Christmas Parade on December 1, 2007 and the Mt. Vernon Downtown Car Show on August 11, 2007. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to Approve the Four Resolutions Requesting Street Closings for the “Salute to Freedom”, Sweet Corn and Watermelon Festival Parade, Christmas Parade and Downtown Mt. Vernon Car Show as presented. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that Mr. A.P. Petties was present to speak about the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Dawson Park. Mr. Petties gave the details regarding Saturday March 31, 2007 at 11:a.m. at Dawson Park and invited everyone to come out.
Mayor David E. Keen invited everyone to come to City Hall on Monday, March 26, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. till 5:30 p.m. for a retirement reception for Virginia Page who recently retired from the Finance Department.
Mayor David E. Keen presented for Council’s consideration the appointment of Ron Neibert to the 911 Board and the Fire Pension Board. Motion by Council Member John Howard to give advice and consent for the appointment of Ron
Neibert to the 911 Board and the Fire Pension Board. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
Mayor David E. Keen reminded residents to send letters to the Governor regarding their power bills. They can also send copies to John O. Jones, Kurt Granburg, Mike Madigan and Emil Jones.
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Bobby Farris of Mt. Vernon addressed Council regarding the turn out to vote for the new high school. Mayor Keen stated that there are committees out speaking to people about the high school and giving them information to vote.
Mr. Gene Rettig asked again about the possible access to Homestead Drive and his map. Mayor Keen explained that Mr. Miller was speaking about a piece of property that the owners are going to use for access.
Mrs. Linda Stout addressed Council regarding the garbage pickup or lack of pickup. Mrs. Stout stated that she has spoken to several people that are very unhappy with the trash service. Mrs. Stout also stated that Court Watch would start back up on the 26th so she will be reporting on that again.
Mr. Jim Sinks of Mt. Vernon spoke regarding the possible railroad overpass project on the east side of town. Mr. Sinks stated that this has been needed for many years. Mayor Keen stated that there was a meeting today on the railroad overpass committee that he attended. The train traffic is going to get worse and the east side is growing. Mr. Sinks spoke regarding the emergency traffic, police, fire and ambulance and the possibility of the tracks being blocked. Mr. Sinks also spoke regarding the gas prices. Council Member Heck stated that when the paper kept publishing the gas prices they seemed to be more competitive.
Julia Miller of Mt. Vernon spoke regarding the sewer system in her area. Mrs. Miller stated that the main needs to be cleaned out every so often so they will run better. Mayor David E. Keen stated that the sewers were all redone in the last 4 four years in phases. Mrs. Miller spoke about the yards being clean. Mrs. Miller stated that she owns several houses and she requires that her renters keep the
properties clean. She stated that one of her properties was posted last week and she did not think it should have been.
Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to go into Executive Session Regarding the Sale of Real Estate. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
Council returned to open session at 8:45 p.m. following the Executive Session. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to approve the sale of the property and house located at 805 South 27th Street to the high bidder, Troy J. Parrish for the amount of $41,655.00. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.
Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt.