Regular City Council Meeting
May 1, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, May 1, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor David E. Keen called the meeting to order and Reverend Bob Myers of Victory 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.
The journals for the April 5, 2006 City Council Workshop Meeting and the April 11, 2006 Special City Council Meeting were presented for Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to adopt the journals as presented. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for May 2006 in the amount of $532,464.42 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for May 2006 in the amount of $532,464.42 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
MAYOR
Mayor David E. Keen stated that he would like to go out of agenda turn and present the Mt. Vernon Tree Board. Mayor Keen introduced Dennis Epplin of the Tree Board and asked Mr. Epplin to introduce the other members of the Board that were present. Diane Hultgren, Myrtle DeLoch and Dave Johnson. Mr. Epplin gave the names of the members that were not present: Susan Rogers, Paul Schutte, Justin Riley, Mary Ann Conner, Elbert Cain and Vikki Bird. Mr. Epplin spoke regarding the Poster contest in the grade schools held recently. Mr. Epplin spoke regarding the tree giveaway, the giveaway for the schools. Mr. Epplin
reported that he was pleased to announce that for the twelfth year, the City of Mt. Vernon has been named a Tree City USA City. Mt. Vernon has been given this award since 1994. Mr. Epplin stated that since 1997, the City has been awarded the Tree City Growth Award also. The Board came forward and presented the flag and plaque to Mayor Keen.
City Manager Roy L. Payne introduced Mr. James Rippy of the Rend Lake Conservancy District. Mr. Rippy spoke regarding the new manager to introduce him and have him give a report. Mr. Rippy stated that the Board feels that they have very professional management now and with all of the past controversy he feels that the District is doing very well now. Mr. Rippy introduced Mr. Keith Thomason the new Manager. Mr. Thomason stated that it had been discovered that the recent water capacity study is outdated and additional gallons per day will be needed as a part of a water plant upgrade. The District’s intent is to increase the capacity of the plant from 20 million gallons to 26 million gallons per day. Mr. Thomason stated that if Wayne City area gets a proposed ethanol plant there would be need for an additional one million gallon more per day. Mr. Thomason spoke regarding the EPA requiring plant to begin expanding for water production when they reach the 90% capacity. Mr. Thomason stated that the District is financially stable. He spoke regarding the construction phase, the design phase and the building phase of the project. The District has been putting funds aside to upgrade the plant. Mayor Keen stated that that the holding of the price of the water rates was good news for the City. Council Member Mike Walker stated that he wanted to thank the management of the District for the relationship with the Corp of Engineers. Council Member John Howard stated that he appreciates the openness from the management recently and the perception of the RLCD has greatly improved with the Board.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that he would like to have Derrick Quitsch of the Inspection Department come forward and speak regarding the City Wide Cleanup. Mr. Quitsch came in with Troop #103 and #104 Boy Scouts. The Scouts paraded in carrying a banner that they had made announcing the City Wide Clean Up Day. Derrick announced the time and place and asked for volunteers to help with the clean up.
City Manager Roy L. Payne presented a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for One Squad Car to replace in the Police Department. Mr. Payne stated that this is for the car that was recently totaled. There has been some insurance money received to pay for the damages. Council all agreed to grant Authorization to Seek Bids for One Squad Car as requested.
City Manager Roy L. Payne presented for Council’s consideration of Preliminary and Final Plat for the Re-Subdivision of Lot 4 Grand Junction Subdivision. Mr.
Payne explained that this is a lot that sits just south of the Pasta House and there is possibly a restaurant building on that lot. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Preliminary and Final Plat for the Re-Subdivision of Lot 4 Grand Junction Subdivision as requested. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Regarding the Volume Bond Cap for the City. Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that the City is allowed to sell to another City if they are going to use it. The City has decided to sell ours to a developer that is doing a project in the City of Aurora. Our total Volume Bond Cap is $1,306,960.00 based on $ 80.00 per resident. The developer is willing to pay us ½% or $6,534.50. Staff is requesting the suspension of the rules to pass this Ordinance to go ahead with this project and let the State know about the transfer. Mr. Hollmann stated that last year we transferred ours to the South East Development Corporation or SEDA for projects that they had going on. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt Ordinance #2006-16, an Ordinance Regarding the Volume Bond Cap in Connection with Private Activity Bonds. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Accepting a Quit Claim Deed for Property Described as Follows: Lots 17,18,19, 20 and 21 of Royal Place. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this is as resolution to some foreclosure liens that the City has. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Resolution Accepting a Quit Claim Deed for Property Described as Follows: Lots 17,18,19, 20 and 21 of Royal Place. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Councils consideration a Resolution Accepting a Quit Claim deed for Property Described ad 2223 College. This is another demolition lien. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Resolution Accepting a Quit Claim Deed for Property Described as 2223 College. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice of Dangerous and Dilapidated Structure for Property Located at 1200 South 28th Street. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this is the west side of the old mobile home park and there are about 9 old mobile homes left in the park. The City is asking for permission to get
this area cleaned up. The east side has been cleaned up and is now being used as a mobile home park however the west side has become very run down. The homes are not occupied. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice of Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures for Property Located at 1200 South 28th Street. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Reclassifying Certain Public Utilities and Sanitation Accounts for Accounting Purposes. Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that these accounts are done annually to be able to close out the budget. The department still actively tries to collect the bills in several ways, however the City “writes them off” so to get them off the books. The total is $10,089.44. They amount to 3/10 of 1% of the total bills. Council Member Mike Walker asked if there are any businesses on the list. Mr. Hollmann stated that if any of the persons on the list come back and try to sign up for water again; the City collects then before they are allowed to have water again. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Resolution Reclassifying Certain Public Utilities and Sanitation Accounts for Accounting Purposes. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that he would like to present to Council for advice and consent appointments to Boards and Commissions. Mayor Keen stated that he would like to reappoint Mr. Greg Martin to the Airport Authority to another four-year term and appoint Mr. Gary Chesney to the airport Authority to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Kent Renshaw.
Mayor Keen stated that he would like to reappoint to the City Housing Authority Mr. Ken Terry. Reappointing to the City Fire and Police Commission Mr. Bill Beck and Mrs. Kay Shaw. Appointing to the Fire Pension Board Mr. Roy L. Payne and Mr. Merle Hollmann to serve for the City. Appointing to the Tree Board Mrs. Myrtle DeLoch to replace Susan Rogers and reappointing Diane Hultgren, Dennis Epplin and Paul Schulte to the Tree Board. Reappointing Mr. Joe Wilks and Mr. Mike Beard to the Liquor Advisory Board. Reappointing to the Historic Preservation Commission Linda Short. Reappointing to the Police Pension Board Mr. Curt Mowrer. Reappointing Debbie Greene, Joyce Sechrest, Bernie Dickneite, Elizabeth Hinman, Don Peacock and appointing Terri Edmison to take Eugene Tolka’s position and appointing Phyllis Bruce to take Emily Rogers place all on the Tourism Board. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the appointments and reappointments as presented by Mayor Keen. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Mayor Keen thanked everyone for serving on the Boards and Commissions for the City.
Mayor Keen stated that he wanted to remind everyone about the City Wide Clean Up and to get their trash out and clean up the areas to make the City look good.
Mayor Keen spoke regarding Town Hall Meetings that he has planned. Mr. Keen stated that he has several scheduled and is calling them “ City Hall On The Road”. The first meeting will be held on May 16, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church with the second one to be at Summersville School in June.
City Manager Roy L. Payne spoke regarding the pool work and bathhouse work at the Park. He stated that the pool is supposed to be opened as planned on Memorial Day weekend.
VISITORS/ CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Brian Edmison spoke regarding the DMDC District After Five Event last week and stated that he wanted to thank everyone that attended and helped with the event. Mr. Edmison stated that there were 200 or so people that attended the event.
Motion by Council Member John Howard to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen.