Regular City Council Meeting
October 16, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, October 16, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor David E. Keen called the Regular Meeting to order and Reverend Brad Henson of the United 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.
Mayor David E. Keen announced that tonight they were celebrating Council Member Ricky D. Heck’s birthday in October. Mayor Keen stated that he was born in 1954.
The journals for the October 2, 2006 Regular City Council Meeting, the October 3, 2006 IDOT Public Hearing and Meeting, and the October 4, 2006 Special City Council Joint Meeting with MTVTHS School Board were all presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journals as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for October 2006 in the amount of $ 1,203,043.38 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $ 1,203,043.38 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 48 Glock Handguns for the Police Department. Mr. Hollmann stated that there were two bids received. The bids were given to Police Chief Chris Mendenall to open and he will report on them at the end of the Regular City Council Meeting.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration the Final Plat for Ridge Crest Estates Part II. Mr. Bill Woodfall was present to discuss the plat with Council. Mr. Woodfall stated that this is a Subdivision off of East Bishop Road behind Part I. The Part I Subdivision has sold out all but one lot. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Final Plat for Ridge Crest Estates Part II as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that there is a Request for an Executive Session Regarding the Purchase of Real Property and Pending Litigation.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Petition to Discontinue Existing Prohibition Relative to the Sale at Retail of Alcoholic Liquor for 103,105 and 107 Shiloh Drive. The Petitioning Party is John Firebaugh. Mr. Firebaugh was present to explain his request. Mr. Firebaugh stated that he would like to open a package store and steak house with lounge at this location. The main business would be a steak house restaurant with a lounge. The largest income would come from the restaurant. Mr. Firebaugh stated that the building is already constructed and was a skating rink. The skating rink failed so Mr. Firebaugh wants to make the building a steakhouse. Mr. Firebaugh stated that with the new overpass/interchange project he feels there is a need for businesses of this type and feels there will be many more to locate on the west side when the road project is done. Mr. Firebaugh stated that he had filed the papers with the City Clerks Office to allow his property to become ‘wet’ from the dry status to allow for liquor sales.
City Attorney David R. Leggans stated that Mr. Firebaugh is complying with the statute requiring that ‘dry’ property be petitioned ‘wet’ status. There has not been a liquor license issued to Mr. Firebaugh, but he has made an application for the proper license. The license could not be issued until the wet/dry issue has been resolved. Mr. Leggans continued to explain the wet/dry procedure.
Council Member Shirilyn Holt asked if this business would be family oriented. Mr. Firebaugh stated that yes, the restaurant portion would be family oriented, then after the food service stopped on certain nights there would be music for dancing. Council Member Mike Walker asked how much of the business revenue would be from foodservice. Mr. Firebaugh stated that he did not know for sure, but he hoped the largest amount would be from foodservice. Mr. Firebaugh stated that he hopes to be able to open the business in November.
Mayor David E. Ken asked if anyone wished to speak in regards to this issue either In favor of or against.
Mr. George Germann spoke saying that he lives three blocks north of Horton Lane. Mr. Germann stated that he is opposed to the package and selling of liquor at this location, as there is too much traffic in this area now on Shiloh Drive and Route 15. Mr. Germann stated that there is also a church within 300 feet of this property and he was under the impression that alcohol could not be served close to a church property.
Mr. James Harris addressed Council saying that he does not think that we need any more package stores in Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Lindell Knox addressed Council saying that he sees this issue as a potential for a major problem. With the National Guard, Walgreens and Anheuser-Busch the traffic is heavy and the package store and restaurant would make more traffic in the area. Mr. Knox stated that he is afraid that if the steakhouse fails, there is potential for using this property as just a tavern. Mr. Knox stated that Shiloh Drive is a very high traffic area and with the combination of alcohol it could be dangerous. Mr. Knox spoke regarding drunk driving.
Mr. Firebaugh stated that the two or three people that live in the area were against his building the medical facility that he built a few years ago for his wife’s daughter. They did not want anything built on the property because it blocked their views.
Mr. Knox asked why they are petitioning all three addresses ‘wet’. Mr. Firebaugh stated that it was because he owns all three properties.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that as in any other request, anytime there is opposition that there will need to be 2 readings on this request, so the second reading would be held at the next City Council Meeting.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance to Rezone Property Located at 2925 S. 13th Street from Class R2 to Class RM2. The petitioning party is Cindy Welch. Ms. Welch was present to speak to Council regarding her request. Ms. Welch stated that she lives on these properties in a singlewide mobile home. Her mobile home was heavily damaged in the storms and she is now living under plastic over the roof damage. She would like to move in a doublewide mobile home but to set it on the same property requires a zoning change. Ms. Welch stated that she does day-care and foster childcare at her home and it has been hard to do since the storm damage to her home. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck 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 Ricky D. Heck to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-48, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 2925 S. 13th Street From Class R2 to Class RM2 for Petitioner Cindy Welch. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution of Support for the Application to Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Funds for a Housing Rehabilitation Grant. Mr. Leggans also presented a Resolution of Support for the Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Assistance Program Grant. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that this was the reason for the Public Hearing earlier this evening, the Housing Rehabilitation through Crosswalk. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Resolution of Support for the Application to Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Funds for a Housing Rehabilitation Grant and a Resolution of Support for the Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Assistance Program Grant. 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 an Agreement with Crosswalk Community Action Agency. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that this is also a part of the previous grant application for housing rehabilitation. Mr. Hollmann stated that Crosswalk will do the grant application at no charge and they will administer the grant work if the grant is awarded. Motion by Council Member John Howard to adopt the Resolution Approving an Agreement with Crosswalk Community Action Agency. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration an Inducement Resolution Regarding Certain Property Within a Proposed Downtown TIF District. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that Ed and Brenda Breeze would soon be starting to build their new pharmacy on the corner of 12th Street and Main Street. The Breeze’s have asked for this property to be included in the Downtown Proposed TIF District when it will be done. The Breeze’s would like to have their expenses be eligible for the TIF when it is passed. The Breeze’s would then be eligible to come back for their expenses under the TIF if feasible. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to adopt the Inducement Resolution Regarding Certain Property Within a Proposed Downtown TIF. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that under his section he would like to present to the City Council the name of Ashley Beadle to fill a vacancy in the Park Board. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Mayor’s appointment of Ashley Beadle to fill the vacancy in the Park Board. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
CITY COUNCIL
VISITORS/ CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Mike Beard addressed Council regarding the United Way Campaign currently in progress. Mr. Beard stated that the goal for the United Way this year is $ 385,000.00. Mr. Beard stated that the United Way services 24 organizations this year and will go out into 4 additional counties Mr. Beard stated that he would be having meetings with the City departments to sign employees up for donations and explain the United Way Program.
Police Chief Chris Mendenall presented the results of the bids received for 48 Glock Model 22 handguns. There were two bids received and the bids were as follows:
More Guns – Mt. Vernon, IL $ 20,999.04
Ray O’Herron – Danville, IL $ 19,632.00
Chief Mendenall recommended the acceptance of the low bid from Ray O’Herron in the amount of $ 19,632.00. Chief Mendenall stated that the department would be selling the old guns that are now being used to recoup some of the costs of the new weapons. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann concurred with staff recommendations to purchase the guns from Ray O’Herron, the low bidder in the amount of $ 19,632.00 as presented. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the purchase of the 48 Glock Model 22 handguns for the Police Department from Ray O’Herron in the amount of $ 19,632.00 as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Council Member John Howard to go into Executive Session Regarding the Purchase of Real Property and Pending or Threatened Litigation. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Council returned to Regular Session following the Executive Session at 9:20 p.m.
Council Member Ricky D. Heck asked about the payment of some of the bills from the recent storm since FEMA has stated that they have denied the City’s request for help. Mr. Heck stated that there are several people that came to aid and used their own equipment and time without pay just to help out. Many of them worked hard and deserve some pay for their work. Someone had told them that if FEMA denied the funds, the City would at least pay them something for their work. The amount most of them heard was 70 hours at least.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that there needs to be some figures put together to see what amount we are talking about and who to. It was mentioned that it has been 90 days since the storm. Mr. Heck stated that he is afraid that if we do not do something soon and had another storm or emergency, no one would want to come out to help. It was discussed to get figures together and discuss this issue by November 15, 2006.
Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Holt. Council Member Holt left near the end of the Executive Session.