Regular City Council Meeting
September 5, 2006
Due to the Labor Day Holiday on Monday, The Mt. Vernon City Council held its Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 5, 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 Ricky D. Heck, Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member John Howard, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor David E. Keen.
The journal for the August 21, 2006 City of Mt. Vernon Regular City Council Meeting was presented for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journal as presented. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for September 2006 in the amount of $ 563,136.51 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 $ 563,136.51 as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard Walker and Keen.
Mayor David E. Keen changed the agenda to present a couple of awards. Mayor Keen stated that he and Council would like to recognize the American Red Cross for their hard work and help following the storm recently. Mayor Keen stated that the Red Cross served 33,163 meals and paid out some $42,000.00 in funds to help persons from the storm damage. Several members of the Red Cross were present including Cindy May the local Director. Mayor Keen read a proclamation and presented a plaque to Mrs. May. Mrs. May thanked the City and stated that they were always ready to serve and help in any way.
Mayor David E. Keen read a proclamation and presented it to Mr. Don Bigham of the Salem South Baptist Association for all of their help and work during the storm and clean up. Mr. Bigham stated that they had worked tirelessly for 32 straight days serving meals and working. The group worked some 10,448-man hours and cut 768 trees and removed them. Mr. Bigham thanked the Mayor and Council and stated that the group grades the towns they work in on a scale of 1 to 10. Mt. Vernon received a 10 rating. Mr. Bigham stated that his group thought that Mt. Vernon was very helpful and friendly for the disaster we had been through.
City Manager Roy L. Payne reported that bids were received for materials for the 42nd Street Sewer Project. Mr. Payne asked Assistant Public Utilities Director Steve McCoy to report on the bids received. Mr. McCoy stated that he and Matt Fauss of the Engineering Department opened the six bids received in the City Clerk’s Office on September 5, 2006. The bids were for the PVC SDR Sewer Pipe 8” and 10” and Tees. The bids were as follows:
National Waterworks Co. $ 11,060.44
IMCO $ 11,294.60
Schulte $ 11,325.26
Midwest Meter $ 11,469.51
Waterworks Supplies $ 11,110.53
Utility Pipe Co. $ 12,125.65
Mr. McCoy stated that all of the bidders met specs and staff’s recommendation was to go with the low bid of National Waterworks Company in the amount of $ 11,060.44. Mr. McCoy stated that there were no bids received for the manhole bids for this project and it would need to be rebid. City Manager Roy L. Payne concurred. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to accept the low bid of National Waterworks for the PVC SDR Sewer Pipe to be used for the 42nd Street Sewer Project in the amount of $ 11,060.44. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that at this time he would like to combine the next two items on the agenda regarding the TIF Proposals. Mr. Payne stated that one item was for Permission to Accept Proposals for a TIF Consultant for the Proposed Downtown Development and the second was for Permission to Accept Proposals for a TIF Consultant for the Proposed Homestead Development. Mr. Payne read the totals for the proposals received. The proposals are as follows:
Development Municipal Initiatives $ 43,000. plus OOP $1,000.
Economic Development Resources $ 55,000. plus OOP no cap
PGAV $ 53,000. plus OOP $2,000.
NexGen Advisors $ 52,000. To $ 59,900. est
These were the combined figures for both TIFS. Mr. Payne stated that he thought the same company should do both jobs. Council Member Ricky Heck asked if PGAV has not been paid some for working on the Homestead TIF and some other work. Mr. Payne stated that the City has paid some to PGAV for working on some TIF work. Mr. Payne stated that the proposal is in addition to the money already paid to PGAV. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to accept the low bid of DMI for both TIF studies. The amount of their proposal was $43,000.00 with OOP not to exceed $1,000. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
City Manager Roy L. Payne asked permission to seek bids for commercial insurance for the City. Mr. Payne stated that this is all except health insurance. Council agreed to grant permission for staff to seek bids for commercial insurance for the City.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that at this time discussion would be held regarding a Resolution of Support for the Illinois 15 Railroad Overpass Project. Mayor Keen asked Senator Bill O’Daniel and Mr. Dave Edmison to speak regarding this project. Mr. Edmison stated that he and Mr. O’Daniel have been appointed to the Mayor’s Eastside Railroad Task Force and they have been afforded the task of checking into the possibility of securing the IDOT feasibility study of several years ago and to work with IDOT to review possible courses. Check into the funding for such a project. Review various options for this project. Try to secure funding for the work. Mr. Edmison stated that there are six possible options that they have looked at for the project. Senator O’Daniel stated that several years ago when he was looking into this project, there were funds available through the Illinois First Funds. Under Governor Ryan there were several railroad overpass-underpasses built, Effingham got 4 overpasses, Centralia got one and DuQuoin got one. Mr. O’Daniel stated that a few east side businesses would be affected by the project. Mr. Edmison explained one of the plans by saying it would run both tracks side by side and do one overpass between Main and Broadway. Mr. Edmison and Mr. O’Daniel both stated that they need a Resolution of Support from the City. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt the Resolution of Support for the IL 15 Railroad Overpass Project. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Mayor David E. Keen asked that some public meetings be set up especially for the east side residents and possibly a petition drive be set up to show support for this project.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Adopting Pollution Control Siting Procedures. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this Ordinance sets out the procedure that will go through with Public Hearings when an application is filed. There was quite a bit of discussion held at the last Council meeting on this issue. Mayor David E. Keen asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak either for or against this Ordinance. No one was heard. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-42, an Ordinance Adopting Pollution Control Siting Procedures. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Approving a Host Agreement with C.W.I. Mayor David E. Keen asked if anyone wished to speak in opposition to this proposed Ordinance. Mr. Lonnie Buttrum of 120 Perkins Street addressed Council again. Mr. Buttrum stated that he lives 300 feet from the current transfer station. Mr. Buttrum spoke again of the odor problem and the fly problems at the station and in the neighborhood. Mr. Buttrum stated that he had spoken to the operators of this station before and they have always promised that they would do something about the problems, but to date nothing has been done. Now they want to expand this facility and allow it to accept more garbage. Will the garbage all be from Jefferson County, or will it be a larger area? Mr. Buttrum stated that he is against this request because of his home being in the area.
Mr. Jan Burlson stated that he also lives in the area and besides the fly and odor problems; the noise early in the morning wakes his family up. Mr. Burlson stated that he is worried about the value of his property dropping and not being able to resell his home.
Mr. Marshall Lundgren stated that he also lives in the area and he is not in favor of this expansion due to the bad smell, traffic and noise.
Council Member Mike Walker asked where the trash was going to come from. Jefferson County or outside the county. City Attorney David Leggans’ letter says that the trash will be from Jefferson County, but the agreement does not say. Mr. Walker also asked about the sewer system that they are asking to tap onto. How will we regulate the use and will the leach ate go in the sewer. Corporation Counsel Bill Howard stated that the sewer usage would be regulated by the Sewer Ordinance.
Mayor David E. Keen asked if anyone wished to speak in favor of this project. Mr. Kenneth Bleyer the Attorney representing Continental Waste in this discussion stated that he wanted to respond to some of the statements made earlier. Mr. Bleyer stated that this is not an application and he wished to make that very clear. This is a post agreement in case an application is filed, approved by Council and the EPA. Mr. Bleyer stated that any questions would be answered in an application when it is filed, or if one is filed. Mr. Bleyer stated that more could be done with the odors at the station. There is a chemical wash that can be used that would help both the odor and the fly problem. Mr. Bleyer stated that there has been rock delivered to reshoot the driveways, to do away with the fly problem and possibly a mosquito problem at the location by making sure the drainage problem is taken care of. Council Member Ricky D. Heck stated that this problem should have been taken care of long ago if there was a solution. Mayor David E. Keen asked if the waste plan is designed or does it go by need. Mr. Bleyer stated that the applicant has the sole discretion on the service area. Mayor Keen asked if the facility will expand and how much and which direction. Mr. Bleyer again stated that IF an application is filed, the facility is not to physically expand or not looking to grow other than from just inside the City to more regional.
Mayor David E. Keen stated that with the discussion tonight, he would like to table this issue until a later date for more information to be received and discussed. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to table this issue until a later date. Second by Council Member John Howard. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Declaring Property Commonly Known as 519 S. 12th Street to be Surplus Property and Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Real Property. City Manager Roy L. Payne stated that this is a piece of property received by lien. Mr. Payne requested suspending the vote so the property can be sold. The selling price is $3,000.00. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen. Motion by Council Member John Howard to Adopt Ordinance # 2006-43, an Ordinance Declaring Property Commonly Known as 519 South 12th Street to be Surplus Property and Authorizing the Sale of the Municipal Real Property. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Regarding the Revision of the Liquor Ordinance. Mr. Howard stated that this section of the Liquor Ordinance has to do with the State of Illinois now allowing Winery License holders to sell beer in the wineries. There is only one Winery license in the City, and it is on premises sales only. 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 Keen. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to adopt Ordinance # 2006-44, an Ordinance Regarding the Revision of the Liquor Ordinance. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing the Acquisition of Lots for Dawson Park. These are three lots that have liens on them. The City would pay a realtor $1,000.00 and the rest of the cost would be liens released. The City would then own the property and it would be used in the future for Dawson Park. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to Adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Acquisition of Lots for Dawson Park. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Requesting Authorization to Close Johnson Alley between Main Street and Harrison Street on September 7, 2006 between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. for the Downtown Mt. Vernon Development Corporation’s Back Alley Cajun Hoedown to be held at 820 Main Street. Motion by Council Member John Howard to adopt the Resolution Requesting Authorization to Close Johnson Alley on September 7, 2006 for a Back Alley Cajun Hoedown for DMDC. Second by Council Member Ricky D. Heck. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Requesting Authorization to Close Conger Avenue between 10th and 11th Street on Saturday, September 9, 2006 from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. for a Youth Fest Sponsored by Shiloh’s Community Outreach. Motion by Council Member Ricky D. Heck to adopt this Resolution Requesting Authorization to Close Conger Avenue for Shiloh’s Youth Fest. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Heck, Holt, Howard, Walker and Keen.
CITY COUNCIL
VISITORS/ CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
ADJOURNMENT
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.