Regular City Council Meeting
Monday, October 2, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, October 2, 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 Meyer of Victory Christian Center gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member John Howard, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor David E. Keen. Absent: Council Member Ricky D. Heck.
Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that Council had a presentation to make at this time. It will be Mayor Keen’s birthday on October 11th and they presented a birthday cake for him.
The journals for the September 13, 2006, Special City Council Meeting and the September 18, 2006, Regular City Council Meeting were presented to Council for any corrections, additions or deletions. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journals as presented. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for October 2006 in the amount of $ 527,061.18 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for October 2006 in the amount of $ 527,061.18 as presented. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that bids for the Sewer Manhole for the 43rd Street Project had been received and opened on September 18, 2006. There were two bids opened. The bids were as follows:
Egyptian Concrete of Salem, IL Total Bid $ 11,648.00
County Materials of Charleston, IL Total Bid $ 13,749.98
Mr. Hollmann stated that staff recommends the acceptance of the low bid from Egyptian Concrete of Salem, Illinois in the amount of $ 11,648.00. Mayor David E. Keen asked if this amount was within the Engineering Estimates and was told that it was. Motion by Council Member John Howard to accept the low bid of Egyptian Concrete of Salem, Illinois for the Sewer Manholes for the 43rd Street Sanitary Sewer Extension Project in the amount of $ 11,648.00. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that bids had been received for fencing material at Lincoln Park. Wes Plummer, Recreation Coordinator of the Park stated that the fence bid is for Klein Field at Lincoln Park. The bids are for 6 foot fencing and materials only. The Park Department will put the fencing up. Mr. Plummer stated that there were four bids received and they were opened today at City Hall. The bids were as follows:
Terrace Fence $ 10,594.14
Southern Illinois Fence $ 12,034.70
Coles Fence Co. $ 12,808.86
Consolidated Fence $ 17,093.74
Mr. Plummer stated that staff is recommending the acceptance of the low bid from Terrace Fence Company in the amount of $ 10,594.14. Interim Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that he concurs with staff and that the amount of the bid is within the budget amount. Council Member Mike Walker asked how the amount of material needed was figured. Mr. Plummer stated that one of the bidders had given them a list of the materials needed for this type of fence and this size of fence so they would know what amount to look for. Mr. Walker stated that he felt that the company that supplied the list would have had an advantage over the other companies bidding. Motion by Council Member John Howard to accept the low bid from Terrace Fence Company in the amount of $ 10,594.14 for the fence at Klein Field at Lincoln Park. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Preliminary Plat for Ridge Crest Estates. Mr. Bill Woodfall was present to present the plat to Council. Mr. Woodfall told Council that this is Phase II on the North side. Phase I lots have all been sold except one. Mr. Woodfall stated that the water lines have already been extended into this area. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Preliminary Plat for Ridge Crest Estates Subdivision as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration a request for Permission to Seek Bids for 48 Glock Model 22 Handguns for the Police Department. Mr. Hollmann asked Police Chief Chris Mendenall to explain this request. Mr. Mendenall stated that the officers have had some trouble with the commander guns the last few years and most of the local agencies are going to the new Glock guns. Chief Mendenall stated that the Department would sell the Colt guns so it should be about an even break money wise. Some of the funds could come from seizures and drug funds also. Mr. Mendenall stated that the Colt guns cost approximately $670 to $700 per gun and the Glocks will cost $400 per unit. Some of the Colts are 3 to 4 years old and need repairs. These funds will be within budget and the sale of the guns will offset the costs and there is also seizure funds and drug money available to use for this purchase. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Grant Permission to Seek Bids for 48 Glock Model 22 handguns for the Police Department. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration a Request to Re-Bid Fire Station Repairs. Mr. Hollmann asked Fire Chief Brent Hahn to discuss this request. Fire Chief Hahn stated that in February they had a contractor look at needed repairs and give an estimate for the work needed. The estimated amount was $ 53,143.00. This amount was put into the Fire Budget. One bid received was in the mount of $ 36,175.00. This was a difference of $ 16,968.00. The bid was awarded to one contractor. Former City Manager Roy Payne had spoken to the contractor and the contractor stated that he had left out that portion of the bid. After much discussion, it was decided the only way to handle this error was to re-bid the project. Chief Hahn stated that the bid would be revamped to also include damages done from the storm. The estimate for the storm damages will be paid by the insurance company. The repairs are to both the 27th Street Fire Station and the 42nd Street Fire Station. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that he agrees that the job needs to be re-bid due to the receiving of an incomplete bid the first time. Chief Hahn stated that there will also be a 10% bid and performance bond required this time. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Grant Permission to Re-Bid Fire Station Repairs. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann Requested a Public Hearing be held at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park, Mt. Vernon, Illinois on
Monday, October 16, 2006 at 6:45 p.m. to inform the public of the proposed application to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and to
the Illinois Housing Development Authority for Housing Rehabilitation Grants to provide safe and sanitary housing for low to moderate income persons within the target area of the City of Mt. Vernon. Mr. Hollmann stated that is the ability to apply for another Housing Grant with the target area between South 18th Street and South 22nd Street and College and Logan Street. Council agreed to hold the Public Hearing before the next Regular City Council Meeting. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann requested an Executive Session be held following the Regular City Council Meeting Regarding Real Estate and Pending Litigation.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Establishment of Tax Increment Financing “Interested Parties” Registries and Adopting Registration Rules for these Registries. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that this is the TIF Districts that have been discussed recently by the City. Mr. Hollmann stated that he would like Council to Suspend the Rules to Vote on this Ordinance so the TIF work can begin. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-47, an Ordinance Authorizing the Establishment of Tax Increment Financing “Interested Parties” Registries and Adopting Registration Rules for These Registries. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that the next two requests are Resolutions needed for this Ordinance pertaining to the TIF also. One being a Resolution for a Feasibility Study Regarding Tax Increment Financing within the Boundaries of Downtown Mt. Vernon and the other, a Resolution Providing for a Feasibility Study Regarding Tax Increment Financing In and Around Fairway Drive. Mayor David E. Keen asked if anyone present wished to speak either for or against this request. No one was heard. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve Both Resolutions Regarding the Tax Increment Financing Within the Boundaries of Downtown Mt. Vernon and Fairway Drive. Second by Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving a Temporary Emergency Burn Pile. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that this is actually to extend the time we can use the burn pile. Our burn time still has time left, but we will need more time after the expiration day in November. This would be a 180-day lease for the burn pile. There will be no actual cost to the City. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve a Resolution Approving a Temporary Emergency Burn Pile. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing Application for an Operation Lifesaver Grant. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that this is the Railroad Safety Education and there is no City match required for this Grant. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Resolution Authorizing Application for an Operation Lifesaver Grant. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that he wanted to remind everyone about the IDOT Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday evening at Summersville School from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. regarding the East Side Railroad Overpass/ Underpass Project. Mayor Keen asked that everyone attend and let them know how they feel about the project and learn about the alternatives in the study.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that Tom Upchurch has asked that the public be notified that all of the brush from the storm needs to be out and beginning October 15, 2006, there will be one pass made in each area and if the brush is not out then, it will not be picked up.
Mr. Jim Bussen addressed Council regarding the posting of the Meeting Notice and Agenda for the City Council Meetings. He stated that he had come to the Park over the weekend and could not find where they were posted in public view. Mr. Bussen stated that they are supposed to be posted 48 hours in advance at the location of the meeting. Due to the Community Building being locked, he could not enter to read the notices. Interim City Manager stated that we would insure that they are posted in the windows for public view.
Mr. Bussen also asked about the Executive Sessions as to if according to the State Statute if the Executive Sessions are either video or audio taped as required. Mayor Keen assured Mr. Bussen that we do tape the meetings. Mr. Bussen spoke regarding the letter by Mr. Edmison in the newspaper. Mr. Bussen thought there should be an open letter printed for the Railroad Project. Mr. Bussen also recommended that when Mr. Woodfall presents the plat maps to Council, the maps be projected via overhead projector for the audience. Mr. Bussen also spoke regarding the sale of the guns by the Police Department.
Council returned from Executive Session at 9:55 p.m.
Motion by Council Member John Howard to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Absent: Heck.