Regular City Council Meeting
January 7, 2008
The Mt. Vernon City Council met for a Public Workshop Meeting on January 7, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Public Workshop Meeting to order and stated that the purpose of this Public Workshop Meeting is for Review of the Comprehensive Plan Proposals Regarding the City of Mt. Vernon.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he had met with each Council Member and discussed the specifics of each proposal. Mr. Neibert stated that price not withstanding; the information from DMI meets the needs of the City on this project. Their scheduling, inclusions, the structuring of the plan and other reasons were discussed. Mr. Neibert stated that entering into the price of the project, the other two companies came in between $80,000.00 and $85,000.00. Mr. Neibert stated that DMI’s cost is $55,000.00. Also, DMI has done some work in Mt. Vernon so they are very familiar with the community already. Mr. Neibert stated that he would recommend accepting the DMI proposal. Mr. Neibert spoke regarding a Steering Committee for this project and the possible make-up of this committee. Mr. Neibert stated that there is a need for a Chairman for the committee to guide and report back to Council. Mr. Neibert stated there would also be a need for specific sub-committees for this project also.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated this project as a main item project as there had not been a Comprehensive Plan done since 1963. Ms. Chesley stated that input from the public is a very important part of this project. Ms. Chesley stated that she is excited to get this going right at the first of this year because it is going to be an exciting year for the City.
Council Member Mary Burgan stated that she would like to commend Mayor Chesley on this project. Mrs. Burgan stated that this was one of her main concerns when she found out that there had not been an update on this since
1963. Mayor Chesley stated that this is making a team effort and bringing us all together as a team. Ms. Burgan asked about the time frame for the project. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the time line is about one year.
Council Member David Wood stated that he is concerned about the Steering Committees and the other committees. Mr. Wood asked if the DMI proposal show anything about the make-up of the committees or define the roles of the committees. Mr. Wood also is concerned about the role of the citizens in the project, Chairs of the committees, roles of the City in the committees. Will a Council Member be on the committees, or department heads be on the committee. Mr. Wood stated that DMI is familiar with the City and community and have expertise on City Planning.
Council Member Mike Walker stated that he would like to see what DMI has to say before any committees are made or appointed. Mr. Walker stated that it sounds like we are hiring DMI to be a facilitator, not a consultant. We need DMI to tell us what Mt. Vernon needs, not listen to committees first. We want to know what they think we need first. Council Member Wood also stated that he doesn’t want us to tell DMI a plan, they need to provide everything to us first.
Mayor Chesley stated that DMI has future land use maps, housing recommendations, transportation recommendations, open space recommendations, environmental recommendations and economic recommendations. Mayor Chesley stated that she is looking forward to see their recommendations and ideas for the City. Mayor Chesley stated that this is not going to be a one-time thing. There will need to be information updated annually. The quality of life areas such as Parks, Fire and Police etc. will be addressed on the plan also. The high school, grade schools and young families ages 20 to 30 will be addressed in the plan.
Each Council Member addressed their concerns and what they want from this plan and shared ideas. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that when Council gets to making up committees he would hope each Council Member would serve on at least one committee. Council Member Wood spoke about “shaking the box” and seeing what comes out. Council Member Burgan stated that she is really interested in what will be in the plans because of the great job that had been done for Downtown Development. Council Member Holt stated that it would be good for someone from the outside to come in and tell us what we need to do. Council Member Walker stated that he hopes that DMI can come in and show us some things that we may not have thought of ourselves.
Mayor Chesley stated that she has a couple of concerns, she wants our plan to be revised every 5 years and looked at annually, but the Comprehensive Plan is usually for a period of years, like 20 or so. Mayor Chesley also addressed the
quality of life issues mentioned before again. Mayor Chesley stated that she has had a lot of people tell her that they want to help and participate in this project, so she wants to have people get in touch with her or her office and then see where they may fit in the scheme. She stated that she would like to see high school and young Mt. Vernon have an input into the project because it is their future we are talking about.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley introduced Mr. Allan Pigg, a former Mt. Vernon resident and a consultant to speak to Council. Mr. Pigg stated that he is a resident of Georgia and has worked 34 years for the government and has worked with economic development for many communities in that area. Mr. Pigg explained many parts of the plans and what the government wants to see from communities for grants, etc. Mr. Pigg gave several ideas for the project. He stated that the community involvement should be a great part of the plan, everyone wants to be involved.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Workshop Meeting closed at 6:40 p.m.
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular City Council Meeting to order.
Reverend Travis Perry gave the Invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.
The journal for the December 17, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journal for the December 17, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for January 2008 in the amount of $ 1,103,541.46 were presented to Council for their consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for January 2008 in the amount of $ 1,103,541.46 as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
CITY MANAGER
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Declaring Real Estate to be Surplus and Authorizing the Sale. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is a listing of 29 properties that the City has acquired that will be added to the other lots previously declared as surplus. These properties will be advertised and sold sometime this month.
Council Member David Wood asked how these sales usually work. City Attorney David R. Leggans stated that twice the City has been able to sell 50 lots or so each to two different companies that came in and built homes on the properties for low income rentals and sales. The City received a very good price per lot doing this. Mr. Wood asked if someone could contact these companies again to see if they are interested in more lots. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the companies could be contacted to see if there is any interest. Council Member Wood stated that he would like to vote to sell the properties, but would like to look at a map with all of the City’s surplus lots shown to see what options we may have also.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that this could be passed, and then evaluated and report back to Council. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2008-1, an Ordinance Declaring Real Estate to be Surplus and Authorizing the Sale of the Properties. Mr. Wood asked for the record to show that Council will look into the sale of the properties before they are sold. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented two Resolutions Accepting Quit Claim Deeds for Property Located at 2111 Cherry Street and 603 South 22nd Street. Council Member David Wood asked if there were any structures on these properties. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he thought there was on one of them. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Resolutions Accepting Quit Claim Deeds for Properties Located at 2111 Cherry Street and 603 South 22nd Street. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving the Purchase of Property Located at 613 Bell Street. This property is currently owned by Jefferson County pursuant to a Tax Deed. The City has a chance to pay the County $646.00 and the City will complete the demolition on the property. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Resolution Approving A Purchase Contract for Property Located at 613 Bell Street from the County. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented a Resolution Approving and Authorizing the Execution of a Cyber Crime Task Force Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Police Chief Chris Mendenall addressed Council stating that the City has been a member of the Task Force for about 6 months. This allows the City to receive reimbursement for any expenses involved, tuition for any classes taken, payment of their cell phones, gasoline for any travel, vehicle, etc. The city is now using existing personnel in this area of cyber crime. There is a 30-day pull out if you decide to get out. Chief Mendenall stated that cyber crime is really getting to be a big item in this area, unfortunately. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Cyber Crime Task Force Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the Mt. Vernon Police Department. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Council Member David Wood asked Police Chief Mendenall to report back in a year and let Council know how this program is doing.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Requesting a Public Hearing at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park in Mt. Vernon, Illinois on Monday, March 3, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. for the Consideration of the Downtown Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project and Redevelopment Area of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is a meeting that is required for the implement of a TIF for this area. Mr. Neibert stated that DMI of Cahokia, Illinois is the firm working on this project for Downtown Development. DMI has done the eligibility study and is now working on the housing impact study. There has been one meeting and there is a plan and a project now so the second meeting is required at this time. Council Member David Wood asked what the level of participation from the residents was. Mr. Neibert stated that they have heard from 8 to 10 residents. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution Requesting a Public Hearing at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park, Mt. Vernon, Illinois on Monday, March 3, 2008 at 6:30 P.M. for the Consideration of the Downtown Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project and Redevelopment Area of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley announced that this Saturday, January 12, 2008 would be the Annual Toy Box Sale held at the Community Building at Veterans Park. This is usually a very large, fun way for children to rent a booth and sell some of their old toys.
Mayor Chesley asked Reverend Travis Perry to give a report on “Christmas in the Park”. Reverend Perry stated that it was again a huge success, despite the downfall of rain on Saturday night. Mr. Perry stated that they counted 1,178 cars for the two nights. They tried to count persons per car and came up with 3,303 people. The collection of funds taken came up to $3,720.00 which ½ will go to Christmas for the Needy next year. Mr. Perry stated that they are trying to get even more churches involved for next year’s display and make it bigger and better. Mayor Chesley thanked Mr. Perry and all of the other churches for their hard work and said that it was a wonderful display. Council concurred.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she had a proclamation Proclaiming January 2008 as Radon Action Month. Mayor Chesley read the proclamation then presented it to Mr. Calvin Murphy of Allied Radon Services, Inc. Mr. Murphy spoke regarding finding radon and what to do when you do find it, and how it can be affecting you and your family if it is in your home.
Council Member David Wood expressed his concerns regarding the recent zoning applications he has received. He stated that some of them seem incomplete and a lot of them have no maps or ways to find the property. Mr. Wood stated that he feels that the Inspection Department and City Manager need to clean up the applications to make them clearer and concise. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that it would be looked into.
Council Member Mike Walker stated that he would like to thank former Mayor Milt Sees for getting the $1/2 million grant to be able to build the new road to access General Tire for when they get their new addition built.
Mrs. Elvira Canzanella addressed Council regarding the TIF District and how long it would take. Mrs. Canzanella stated that we had been working on it for a long time. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that there has already been one passed and the one we are working on now is for the Downtown Area. Mr. Neibert stated that a City can have several TIFs. Mrs. Canzanella asked how
this one would affect her taxes. City Manager Neibert stated that it would not. He agreed to speak to her after the meeting and explain what a TIF is and does.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.