Regular City Council Meeting
May 21, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, May 21, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order and Reverend David Eadie of First United Methodist Church gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Shirilyn Holt and Council Member David Wood.
The journals for the April 25, 2007 City Council Workshop Meeting, the April 30, 2007, Public Hearing and Special City Council Meeting and the May 7, 2007, Regular City Council Meeting were presented for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journals for the April 25, 2007 City Council Workshop Meeting, the April 30, 2007 Public Hearing and Special City Council Meeting and the May 7, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
The journals for the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for May 2007 in the amount of $1,152,013.28 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for May 2007 in the amount of $1,152,013.28 as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration the Quote Results for Street Milling. Mr. Neibert stated that two quotes were received, the quotes were as follows:
Asphalt Stone Co. Jacksonville, IL 6,771 S.Y. @ $0.910 $ 6,161.61
Dunn Co. Decatur, IL 6,771 S.Y. @ $1.20 $ 8,125.20
Mr. Neibert recommended the acceptance of the low quote from Asphalt Stone Co. in the amount of $ 6,161.61. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the low quote from Asphalt Stone Co. in the amount of $6,161.61 for the street milling for the summer street program. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration Quote results for Street Maintenance Operations for the summer street program. This is materials for the MFT and General Corporate Materials. The total Engineer’s estimate for the program was $ 263,215.20. The total bid from Jax Asphalt of Mt. Vernon, IL was $262,895.53. The only other bid was for the CA-6 crushed stone and it was from Quad County Ready Mix at a total of $ 13,620.00. Jax’s low bid for the CA-6 Stone was $ 13,500.00. Mr. Neibert recommended the acceptance of the low bid from Jax Asphalt in the total amount of $ 262,895.53. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to accept the low bid of Jax Asphalt in the amount of $ 262,895.53 for the MFT and General Corporate moneys for the Street Maintenance Program. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for Tactical Vests for the Police Department. Police Chief Chris Mendenall addressed Council saying that the tactical team needs the vests to replace some of the ones that they are currently using. Chief Mendenall stated that during the last drug raid the department came across AKA 47 guns and the current vests would be useless against that type of weapon. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Give Authorization to Seek Bids for Tactical Vests for the Police Department. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for a Traffic Safety Trailer for the Police Department. This is the trailer that sets beside the roads and flashes your speed as you drive by. They are used to curtail the speed limits in certain areas. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Grant the Authorization to Seek Bids for a Traffic Safety Trailer. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for Pick-up Trucks for the Public Utilities Department.
Mr. Neibert explained that this bid would be for one 2007 or 2008 1 Ton Crew cab Pickup Truck with a Service Body and One 2007 or 2008 Compact Pickup Truck. Motion by Council Member Walker to Grant Authorization to Seek Bids for Pickup Trucks for the Public Utilities Department. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Reallocation of Funds for the 2006/2007 Budget. Finance Director Merle Hollmann presented the adjustments to be made and stated that the end result would be a $53,800.00 increase to General Corporate Fund, a $2,261.00 decrease to the Tourism Fund, a $1,792.00 decrease to the SSA # 1 Fund, and a $7,196.00 decrease to the Public Utilities Fund. Mr. Hollmann stated that this would be the final adjustments for the 2006/2007-year and is mostly housekeeping for the departments. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Reallocation of Funds for the 2006/2007 Budget as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Amending Article 21 of the Revised Code of Ordinances Establishing Zoning and Zoning Regulations for a Bed and Breakfast Establishment. Mayor Chesley stated that at the previous City Council meeting, she asked to hold this item and send it back to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Attorney Robert Shaw was present to represent Mrs. Emily Ward Nixon. Mr. Shaw stated that he and Mrs. Nixon had also attended the two Planning and Zoning Commission Meetings prior to this meeting. Mr. Shaw stated that they have procedural objections and went on to explain the objections. City Attorney David R. Leggans clarified that Mr. Shaw is taking some of this out of context and his lack of knowledge in the way changes are made to the City’s Code of Ordinances. Mrs. Nixon and her neighbor presented a PowerPoint production of her objections to this request.
Mr. Larry Sidwell the owner of the property next to Mrs. Nixon, and the person wishing to open a Bed and Breakfast, spoke regarding the pros of allowing this business. First Reading was held.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Daycare for Property Located at 3104 Cherry Drive. The petitioning party is Toni McKinnies. Mrs. McKinnies stated that she has her State License for this business and is anxious to get started. The Planning and Zoning Commission passed her request unopposed. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan,
Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-28, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Daycare for Property Located at 3104 Cherry Drive for Petitioner Toni McKinnies. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Granting a Conditional Use for Signage for Property at 4121 South Water Tower Place for Petitioning Party Girl Scouts of Shagbark Council. This is an Off-premise sign to be located on Kevin Martin’s property. Vickie Owens of the Girl Scout Office stated that this is a directional sign to the new Scout Offices, to be installed by T. Ham Sign Company. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adopt the Resolution Granting a Conditional Use for Signage for Property Located at 4121 South Water Tower Place for Girl Scouts of Shagbark Council. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving the Professional Services Agreement with White & Borgognoni. City Manager Ron Neibert explained that this is an agreement between White & Borgognoni and DMDC as architect engineers for the ITP Grant for DMDC. Mrs. Cyndy Mitchell stated that this is the Streetscape Project between 9th Street and 12th Street at Main Street. The project will include sidewalks, trees, lights, benches and other items to make the area more pedestrian friendly. The DMDC Board has approved this project and expenditures and three proposals were received. Council Member Mike Walker asked that Council begin receiving copies of the DMDC Board Meeting minutes, so they would know if the issues had been approved by them before they come before Council for votes. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Resolution Approving the Professional Services Agreement with White & Borgognoni. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley presented for Council’s advice and consent the name of Mr. Frank Donnelly for re-appointment to the Jefferson County Housing Authority for another five-year term. Mr. Donnelly has served on this Board for 20 years, 15 years as the Chairman. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Re-appointment of Mr. Frank Donnelly to the Jefferson County Housing Authority for a five-year term. Second by Council Member Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley presented for Council’s advice and consent the name of Mr. Gary Chesney for re-appointment to the Mt. Vernon Airport Authority for a
five-year term. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Reappoint Mr. Gary Chesney to the Mt. Vernon Airport Authority Board for a five-year term. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.
Mayor Chesley stated that the City has 15 Boards and Commissions that 75 men and women serve on with no pay. Mayor Chesley stated that she would like to personally thank all of them for their willingness and dedication to serve the City.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that in the Business Journal magazine there was an article about Bill Beck and the Beck Bus Company. The company was listed as one of the top ten in the state businesses. Mayor Chesley wanted to congratulate Mr. Beck and his business.
Mayor Chesley stated that there was also an article about Myrtle DeLoch and the University of Illinois Extension Office in the magazine. Mayor Chesley also congratulated Mrs. DeLoch.
Mayor Chesley stated that she had recently been asked to give an opening address to the Woodmen of the World State Convention. Mayor Chesley stated that our recently appointed Judge David Overstreet was very active in this business, along with his brother and father.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley read a Proclamation recognizing EMS Week and presented the proclamation to Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent.
Council Member Mike Walker asked about the recent liquor code violations and where they all stood. The Liquor Board has scheduled a liquor training session for the near future to help train the license holders.
Council Member Mike Walker stated that he has received notices from PETA regarding a live animal display to be held at Times Square Mall. Mr. Walker asked if the City had to license and inspect this display. The City does not license this type of display.
Council Member Mike Walker stated that he has been questioned a lot by someone known as ‘Captain Ron’ in the newspaper forum. Mr. Walker stated that he did not know who Captain Ron was and would not debate an anonymous individual.
A lady from the audience asked if the City would please get the microphones fixed so the audience could hear the meetings.
Mr. Horton Petties asked for help on the building of their new church Pilgrim Rest Church. He was speaking about the ditch that runs along the side of the church now. Mr. Petties stated that a Ms. Anna Johnson has asked about a Neighborhood Watch in her neighborhood of Bell Street. Mr. Petties was told to have her contact Police Chief Mendenall. Mr. Petties also asked about a new sign for Dawson Park. Mr. Petties asked if there were any new jobs coming into town soon.
Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Absent: Holt and Wood.