City of Mt.
Vernon, Illinois
Regular City
Council Meeting
January 19,
2010
The Mt.
Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 7:00
p.m. in the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building in Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary
Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order.
Reverend Jeff Campbell of Pavey Chapel CME Church gave the invocation.
The Pledge
of Allegiance was given.
Roll call
showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Dennis McEnaney,
Council Member Todd Piper, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane
Chesley.
The journal
for the January 4, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for any
additions, deletions or corrections.
Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the journal for the
January 4, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting as presented.
Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
The
Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for January 2010 in the amount of
$ 984,498.35 were presented for Council’s consideration.
Council Member David Wood questioned item # 31, a payment for $ 2,500.00
to Villani & Villani. He asked if this was a final action. City Manager Ron
Neibert stated that this was final and that was the amount of the settlement.
Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for
the January Accounts Payable in the amount of $ 984,498.35 as presented.
Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
BIDS AND
QUOTES
City Manager
Ron Neibert presented to Council a Request for Authorization to Seek Proposals
for the Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display. Mr. Neibert stated that this is
an annual request about this time of year from Bonnie Jerdon at Tourism.
Council Member Todd Piper asked if the City pays this entire fee.
Mr. Neibert stated that yes; it is a City cost that comes out of the
Tourism Fund. There is some income from booths and displays at the celebration,
but the City pays for all of the fireworks.
Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to Authorize the Tourism Department
to Seek Proposals for the Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display.
Second by Council Member David Wood.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager
Ron Neibert stated that the notice for a Public Hearing for tonight’s meeting
did not get published on time to have the hearing tonight, so it has been
scheduled for the second meeting in February, February 16, 2010.
This hearing was to be on annexation of properties.
CITY
ATTORNEY
City
Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second
Reading of an Ordinance Regarding a Speed Limit. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated
that this item was discussed at the last Council Meeting and it is for Veterans
Memorial Drive. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he has spoken to the Police
Chief and the City Engineer regarding this proposed change. It has been proposed
to raise the speed limit on Veterans Memorial Drive to 40 mph since the overpass
has been opened. Mr. Neibert stated that the Police Chief has given a history of
the speed limit on this road and he and Chief Mendenall and City Engineer John
Porter went out and checked the Engineering Site Distance, or stop area.
This checks to see if there is adequate distance to see and stop at the
speed. IDOT says at 40 mph it
should take 675 feet. They field checked it at 840 feet. Mr. Neibert stated that
the safety concerns have been answered. Mr. Neibert stated that both the Police
Chief and City Engineer have given their approval on this now.
Council Member David Wood asked why this change is needed. He stated that
now, the average speed on this street is 40 now. If the limit is raised to 40
mph, the average speed will likely go up to 45 mph or 50 mph. Mr. Wood stated
that now the speed limit is 30 mph from 148 to 17th Street, 35 mph
from 17th Street to 26th Street and he feels that the area
between 26th Street and 34th Street is very congested and
should not be raised. There are several businesses in this 4 or 5 block area and
he does not feel it is safe. Mr. Wood stated that in the area of the Interchange
there are other concerns. He stated that he would feel better if there were stop
lights installed at 34th Street, at the Interchange area, at 42nd
Street, etc. He asked when it might be possible to get stoplights in this area.
City Manager Neibert stated that the City Engineer
stated that
there are no stoplights at non-state routes now. City Engineer John Porter
stated that IDOT sets 35 mph on the bridge until there are signals.
Discussion
was held regarding making this a possible State Route. Discussion was held
regarding the 45 mph limit on Broadway, but there are 5 lanes there.
and there are a lot more businesses and congestion on Broadway.
Motion by
Council Member David Wood to table this Ordinance for one year to then
reconsider the action. No second
was heard. Motion died due to the
lack of a second.
Council
Member Mary Burgan stated that she drives this road quite a bit and she feels
that 40 is still slow for Veterans Memorial Drive. Council Member Dennis
McEnaney said he was glad to hear Mr. Wood’s review of this item. He stated that
he spent time on Veterans Memorial Drive and has spoken to others regarding this
change and he is comfortable with this change. Council Member Todd Piper stated
that he is in favor of the change and he hopes to see this street go to at least
three lanes soon and sidewalks put in also.
Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Adopt Ordinance # 2010-01, an
Ordinance Regarding the Speed Limit on Veterans Memorial Drive.
Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.
NO: Wood.
City
Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution
Approving an Engineering Agreement with Round Table Designs. City Manager Ron
Neibert stated that this is the Preliminary Construction Engineering Service
Agreement for Project Shiloh Drive from Illinois North 15 to Lake Terrace Drive,
or the Shiloh Drive Overlay Project. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this
is a project that will be done with IDOT Grant Funds. This project was not in
the Comprehensive Plan. It falls under the IDOT Emergency Repairs Program and
will not raise the taxes any or cost anything from the Comprehensive Plan.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt the Resolution Approving the
Engineering Agreement with Round Table Design for the Shiloh Drive Project.
Second by Council Member Todd Piper.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
MAYOR
CITY COUNCIL
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
EXECUTIVE
SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by
Council Member Mary Burgan to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting.
Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.