Regular City Council Meeting
September 18, 2006
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, September 18, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor David E. Keen called the meeting to order and Reverend Robert Whiteside of Lively Stone Church 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.
Council Member Ricky D. Heck entered the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
The journal for the September 5, 2006 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journal as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for September 2006 in the amount of $ 814,751.17 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member John Howard to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for September 2006 in the amount of $ 814,751.17 as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that at this time he would like to officially appoint Mr. Merle Hollmann as the Interim City Manager. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Mayor’s Appointment of Merle Hollmann to the Position of Interim City Manager. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that bids have been received for Skid-Mount Air Curtain/Trench Burner Destructor. This is an apparatus that the City must use to be able to burn debris such as from the storm. This is an EPA requirement. Four bids were received and opened by Equipment Maintenance Director Bill Reininger and Assistant Public Works Director Dale Mick. The bids were as follows:
McPherson Systems $ 26,800.00
Thompson Culvert (Woodys Municipal) $ 28,868.14
Concept Products (Rolland Mach) $ 34,392.00
Air Burners LLC $ 39,141.00
Mr. Reininger stated that the low bidder, McPherson Systems, did not specify if they could deliver by October 31, as per the specs. They also did not specify on the bid sheet if they were EPA Approved. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that he would concur with Mr. Reininger to accept the low bid from McPherson Systems in the amount of $ 26,800.00 provided they furnish the EPA assurance and also provided they can meet the October 31, 2006 delivery date. Mr. Reininger will contact the company for these items. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Low Bid of McPherson Systems in the amount of $ 26,800.00 for a Skid-Mount Air Curtain/Trench Burner Destructor provided the company can meet all of the bid specs, if the first company does not meet the specs, the bid will go to the second low bidder, Thompson Culvert (Woodys Municipal Supply) in the amount of $ 28,868.14. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that four bids were received for Demolition Work at the following addresses: 618 South 18th Street, 829 South 19th Street, 413 Jordan Street, 415 South 20th Street, 322 North 8th Street, 313 South 13th Street and 424 Harrison Street. Council agreed to open the bids. The bids were given to City Engineer John Porter to open and he will report on them at the end of the Regular City Council Meeting.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann introduced Jeff Stassi of Pyramid Company. Mr. Stassi spoke regarding a $5.8 million dollar construction project for senior apartments to be built on 42nd Street. Mr. Stassi stated that there was to be 50 units, a three-story building, 51% brick unit of 45 one-bedroom units and 5 two-bedroom units. There would be elevators, a community room with a kitchen, computers for the residents, laundry facilities on all floors, a patio with a gazebo, 60 parking spaces, a community garden and a walking path. IHDA is responsible for the funding and the rent will be a percentage of the resident’s
income. Groundbreaking will take place in December or January. Mr. Stassi stated that hopefully this would be one of two phases. He stated that he believes that being near the medical facilities will be a big plus for the complex.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann reported that the next three items are for Subdivision plats and Mr. Bill Woodfall of Roundtable Design was present to discuss the plats. Mr. Woodfall stated that the Preliminary and Final Plat for King City Liquor Subdivision is being presented. The plat has been through the Planning/Zoning Commission and they had no objections to it. The plan is to subdivide and sell off the liquor store on the property as a separate property. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Preliminary and Final Plat for King City Liquor Subdivision. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Mr. Woodfall presented for Council’s consideration Preliminary and Final Plat Approval for the 27th Street Hill Top Subdivision. This subdivision is located at North 27th Street and Vacated Maple Street and 29th Street. Mr. Woodfall stated that there were no objectors in attendance at the Planning/Zoning Meeting. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Preliminary and Final Subdivision Plat for the 27th Street Hill Top Subdivision as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard and Keen. Council Member Mike Walker Abstained because this is his property.
Mr. Woodfall presented for Council’s consideration the Preliminary and Final Plat for Heritage Woods Subdivision. This subdivision is located at 42nd Street and an unnamed street. This is the Pyramid Properties that they are planning on building on. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Preliminary and Final Plat for Heritage Woods Subdivision. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Accept Proposals for Cellular Phone Service. Mr. Hollmann stated that Tom Upchurch had been working on this project. Mr. Hollmann asked Mr. Upchurch to come forward and speak on this issue. Mr. Upchurch stated that he had sought proposals from several cell companies. We have been operating with Alltell; First Cellular under a one-year contract and it is time to look again. Mr. Upchurch stated that he had received proposals from four companies. Alltel, Verizon, Nextel and Ram Telecom. Mr. Upchurch stated that he is recommending two proposals. One from Alltel for 6 phones, this is because they interwork with the vehicles and phones we have now and the other 50 phones he is recommending Nextel. Mr. Upchurch went on to describe the services, the number of hours, overage, etc. for the two companies. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann concurred with Mr. Upchurch. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Accept the Proposals from Alltel and Nextel for the
Cellular Phone Service for the City as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration a Request to Bypass Bidding Procedures Regarding a Shelter for Lincoln Park. Mr. Wes Plummer of the City Park addressed Council and stated that the reason to ask for the bypass is so this structure will match the existing structure at the park. This shelter will be a smaller version of the one already built. IDNR funds and a use grant will be used to build this structure. The structure is an Illini Americana building 20’ X 30 ‘ and will hold approximately 6 tables. The cost is $ 7,852.00 and the Park laborers will do the construction. It will take two men approximately two days to do this work and the funds are in the budget for this project. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the Request to Bypass the Bidding Procedure Regarding a Shelter for Lincoln Park and Purchase the Illini Americana Building in the amount of $ 7,852.00 as presented. Second by Council Member John Howard. 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 500 S. 10th Street from Class B-1 to Class B-2. The petitioning party is Borowiak’s IGA. Mr. Trevor Borowiak addressed Council stating that they want to put in a convenience store and gas pumps on their property on South 10th Street. Council Member Shirilyn Holt asked how the traffic flow would be affected because there is already a traffic congestion problem in this location with the new post office being located there. Mr. Borowiak stated that he is having people look into the traffic flow and he thinks that the traffic will flow better once this business is built. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to adopt Ordinance # 2006-45, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 500 South 10th Street from Class B-1 to Class B-2 for Petitioning Party Borowiak’s IGA. 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 Declaring Property Commonly Known as 1107 Bell Street to be Surplus Property and Authorizing Sale of Municipal Real Property. The sale price is $1,500.00. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-46, an Ordinance Declaring Property Commonly Known as 1107 Bell Street to be Surplus Property and Authorizing the Sale of
Municipal Real Property. 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 Authorizing an Agreement to Annex Property Located at 13894 North Indian Trail Lane. The petitioners are Glenn and Betty Beckham. The Beckhams’ are agreeing to annex so they can hook onto City Water. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Agreement to Annex Property Located at 13894 North Indian Trail Lane for Glenn and Betty Beckham. 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 a License Agreement Between the City of Mt. Vernon and Vanex Color, Inc. Regarding Signage. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann stated that Vanex has requested to be able to put a large sign right in front of their business on Shawnee Street. The signs would be directional signs mostly for trucks to know where the business is located. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Resolution Authorizing a License Agreement Between the City of Mt. Vernon and Vanex Color, Inc. Regarding Signage. 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 Notice of Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures for Property Located at 900 N. 6th Street. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Approve the Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice of Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures for Property Located at 900 N. 6th Street as Presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Engineer John Porter reported on the bids received for Demolition of seven structures. Mr. Porter stated that there were four bids received for this work. The bids were as follows:
Kenneth Hails Excav. 313 S 13th $ 2,900.00, 322 N 8th $ 6,900.00, 413 Jordan $ 3,900.00, 424 Harrison $ 5,400.00, 829 S 19th $ 3,384.00, 618 S 18th $ 5,900.00, 415 S 20th $ 3,900.00. Total bid $ 32,284.00.
Rollie Excav. 313 S 13th $ 2,000.00, 322 N 8th $ 7,000.00, 413 Jordan $ 3,500.00, 424 Harrison $ 3,500.00, 829 S 19th $ 2,500.00, 618 S 18th $ 415 S 20th $ 3,000.00, Total Bid $ 26,500.00.
Cain Const. 313 S 13th $ 6,025.00, 322 N 8th $ 19,575.00, 413 Jordan $ 9,890.00, 424 Harrison $11,390.00, 829 S 19th $ 6,025.00, 618 S 18th $ 18,075.00, 415 S 20th $ 7,980.00, Total bid $ 78,960.00.
Al Acosta Excav. 313 S 13th $ 3,680.00, 322 N 8th $ 7,830.00, 413 Jordan $ 4,750.00, 424 Harrison $ 5,030.00, 829 S 19th $ 4,030.00, 618 S 18th $ 6,530.00, 415 S 20th $ 5,130.00, Total Bid $ 36,980.00.
Mr. Porter stated that his recommendation is for the City to award the bid to the low bidder, Rollie Excavation in the total amount of $ 26,500.00. Interim City Manager Merle Hollmann concurred. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Accept the Low Bid of Rollie Excavation in the amount of $ 26,500.00. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Mayor David E. Keen spoke regarding an Informational Meeting to be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Summersville Grade School regarding the Overpass for the East Side Railways. Mayor Keen asked everyone to attend and learn about the project.
VISITORS/ CITIZEN REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mrs. Elvira Canzanella asked if Roy Payne was still going to get his pension. Mrs. Canzanella expressed her displeasure with the stories that has been in the news the last few days. Mayor Keen stated that yes; by his contract he would receive his pension.
Mr. Jim Bussen spoke regarding the same issue. Mr. Bussen stated that he hopes the City has a nationwide search to hire a new City Manager as to get a person with a lot of training that can do a good job for the City. Mayor Keen stated that the City would go through several channels to search out a new City Manager. Mr. Bussen also spoke of his displeasure with the City and the publicity lately. Mr. Bussen spoke of the positive things the City has done lately also.
Mr. Lawrence Ruemmler spoke regarding the same issue and stated that he felt the City should be embarrassed and angry about the problem.
Mrs. Sue Stephens spoke and read a couple of scriptures for the City leaders.
Mr. Horton Petties spoke regarding getting a shelter at Dawson Park. Mayor Keen asked Mr. Petties to come and talk to him about this. Mayor Keen spoke
about the extra ground that was acquired for Dawson Park recently. Mr. Petties spoke regarding the new post office opening south of the square in the Park Plaza area. Mr. Petties also spoke about hiring a new City Manager.
Council Member Mike Walker stated that he would like to answer some about the City Manager questions. Mr. Walker stated that this is not a buyout, Council weighed out the money issues and they are bound by contractual law to uphold his contract and this is what the contract called for.
Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.