City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois
Regular City Council Meeting
November 20, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, November 20, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor David E. Keen called the meeting to order. Reverend David Eadie of First Methodist Church gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Ricky D. Heck, Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member John Howard, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor David E. Keen.
The journal for the Regular City Council Meeting of November 6, 2006 was presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journals for the November 6, 2006 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for November 2006 in the amount of $1,522,325.77 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for November 2006 in the amount of $ 1,522,325.77 as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that bids were received for the Repairs of the Fire Stations. Five sets of specs were given out and there were three bids received. The bids were given to Fire Chief Brent Hahn to open and report at the end of this Regular City Council Meeting.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann introduced Kevin Sargent of the Employee Choice Committee to make the presentation of the Third Quarter Employee
Choice Award Winner. Mr. Sargent stated that he was pleased to announce that the Third Quarter Employee Choice Award Recipient is Andrew Lewis of the Fire Department. Mr. Sargent stated that Andrew had been nominated by several of his fellow employees. Andrew made Lieutenant February 2006 and serves on several Boards and Commissions for the Fire Department. It was said that Mr. Lewis is a team player for the Fire Department and works hard for the Fire Union and worked hard to rise money for Rick and Virginia Page to help cover their medical bills for Virginia. Mr. Sargent introduced Andrew Lewis. Mr. Lewis thanked everyone that nominated him and stated that he was honored to receive this award. Mr. Lewis thanked his mother and his sister and wife for all of their support and help. Mr. Lewis thanked many people who helped raise the funds for the Pages.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for Ammunition for the Police Department. Mr. Hollmann stated that the department has purchased new guns recently and they need ammunition for the guns. Police Chief Chris Mendenall is going to ask about trade-in for the old ammunition, but the City may do better selling the left over ammunition itself with the old guns. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to Grant Authorization to Seek Bids for the Police Department Ammunition. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Reallocation of Funds for the 2006/2007 Budget. Mr. Hollmann stated that there are several adjustments and they affect the General Corporate Fund, Motor Fuel Tax Fund, Sanitation and Public Utilities Fund. Mr. Hollmann stated that the large items are storm related items. Mr. Hollmann told how the funds relate to the storm. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Request for Reallocation of Funds for the 2006/2007 Budget as presented. Second by Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration the Consideration of the Preliminary and Final Plat for Hutchison Subdivision. Mr. Bill Woodfall addressed Council regarding this small subdivision. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Preliminary and Final Plat for Hutchison Subdivision. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration a Request for an Executive Session Regarding the Sale and Purchase of Real Estate and Pending Litigation.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Real Property. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that this is property west of the Park House. There is seven acres behind the house that could be subdivided and sold off for developing. The property could be sold prior to subdivision or subdivided before. This Ordinance simply declares the property as surplus so it can be sold. Mr. Hollmann stated that this also includes the home and its acreage. An appraisal will be made before it is sold. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-51, an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Real Property. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 1405 South 25th Street from Class RM2 to Class B-2. The Petitioning Party is Kenneth Paul Aydt. Mr. Aydt was present to address Council on this request. Mr. Aydt stated that he would like to build a restaurant on this property. It would be a family restaurant and serve breakfast and lunch only. There was one objector at the Zoning Board Meeting, but her questions had been addressed at the meeting and she was satisfied with the answers. Her concern was regarding an alleyway. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Sees. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-52, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 1405 South 25th Street from Class RM2 to Class B-2 for Petitioning Party Kenneth Paul Aydt. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for an Unmanned Telecommunications Facility Wireless Tower for Property at 1900 South 8th Street. The Petitioning Party is Cingular Wireless. Mr. Bobby Campbell of Cingular Wireless was present to address Council regarding this request. Mr. Campbell stated that his company would like to build an unmanned tower on this property for cell phones. The tower will be used by three carriers. There were no objectors present at the Zoning/Planning Meeting. The height of the tower will be 150 feet. Mayor David E. Keen asked if anyone wished to speak in favor of or against this request. No one was heard. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Abstain: Heck. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-53, an Ordinance
Granting a Conditional Use for an Unmanned Telecommunications Facility Wireless Tower for Property at 1900 South 8th Street for Petitioning Party Cingular Wireless. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Abstain: Heck.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution of Support for the Southern Illinois Mayors Association Regarding the Medicaid Crisis in Illinois. Mayor Keen read the Resolution that had been sent to him to review. The Resolution is asking the Governor to alleviate this problem. Mayor Keen stated that the crisis is affecting the healthcare in Southern Illinois in a very serious way. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Resolution of Support for the Southern Illinois Mayors Association Regarding the Medicaid Crisis in Illinois. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice of Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures for Property Located at 615 South 20th Street. This is a property that the City has cleaned up. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt a Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice of Dangerous and Dilapidated Structure for Property Located at 615 South 20th Street as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Agreement with Illinois Department of Transportation Regarding the I-57 Overpass/ Interchange. Mayor David E. Keen stated that the City is very excited about this Resolution. On page 2 of the document, it states that the State will pick up 100% of the maintenance of the structure. This is great news because it had been a 50/50 discussion before. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that the City is happy to reach this agreement. We will turn over the funds we have been holding to the State and they will pay for the rest of the project. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to Approve the Resolution Approving the Agreement with Illinois Department of Transportation Regarding the I-57 Overpass/Interchange. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Mayor David E. Keen announced that there is a Gold Medal Winner in the City of Mt. Vernon, Amber Green is the first female Gold Medal Swim Champion in the City of Mt. Vernon. Mayor Keen offered his congratulations to Amber.
Mayor David E. Keen announced that Kevin Settle of District 80 has been named a Super Superintendent recently. Mayor Keen congratulated Mr. Settle on the
Superintendent of the Year Award. Council Member Holt stated that Mr. Settle is a very deserving man.
Mayor David E. Keen wished everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. He asked that everyone remember those in the service during this time also.
Mr. A.P. Petties stated that he would like to schedule more “clean-ups” for the City. Mr. Petties stated that if there were Block Committees to clean up their areas then the City vehicles could come and haul off the debris, etc.
Fire Chief Brent Hahn presented the results of the bids for the Repair to the Fire Stations. Chief Hahn stated that three bids were received for the work and he had opened the bids to compare figures. Chief Hahn stated that all bidders had met the specs and Bond requirements. Chief Hahn read the total bids. The bids read as follows:
Lipps Construction $ 28,900.00
Ray Black Construction $ 59,450.00
Brieseacher Construction $ 64,000.00
Chief Hahn stated that there is quite a difference in the amounts of the bids so he would like to hold the bids and look them over and check with the contractors to see why there is such a difference. Lipps Construction is the apparent low bidder on the project. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann concurred. Chief Hahn stated that the bids would be reviewed and it will come back to Council on December 4, 2006.
EXECUTIVE SESSION