Regular City Council Meeting
October 1, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, October 1, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order and Reverend Bob Meyer of Victory Christian Church 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 September 17, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for any additions, corrections, or deletions. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journal for the September 17, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for October 2007 in the amount of $ 615,578.34 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for October 2007 in the amount of $ 615,578.34 as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that three bids were received for Police Squad Cars. He asked that the bids be turned over to Police Chief Chris Mendenall to open. Council concurred. Chief Mendenall will report at the end of this Regular City Council Meeting.
Ron Neibert Requested Council’s Permission to Apply for Grants from the Illinois Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, Illinois Bureau of Tourism (DCEO), Illinois Arts Council, Illinois Humanities Council and the Schweinfurth Foundation for a Lincoln Sculpture Project. Mr. Neibert stated that the sculpture would be placed at the Appellate Court House to honor Mr. Lincoln’s speech given there. There would be no City match money required for the project. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve this Request for Permission to Apply for Grants for this Project. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Bed and Breakfast for Property Located at 1812 Richview Road. The Petitioning Party is Mr. Larry Sidwell. Mr. Sidwell addressed Council stating that he would answer any questions Council may have for him. Council Member Wood asked if there is any change from the original request. Mr. Sidwell replied that everything is still the same. He stated that it would be a small operation as there are only three bedrooms in the residence.
Mayor Chesley asked if anyone from the audience wished to speak regarding this request. Mr. Jack Thompson stated that he lives on Richview Road and he is in objection to this request. Mr. Thompson stated that he thinks this is a prime residential area and he does not want to see businesses of any kind move in. He believes that it puts the residents of the area at risk and he is afraid it will detract from the assessment values of the area. He asked that Council have some consideration for the local residents and to please deny the request. Council Member Walker asked why Mr. Thompson thinks that the property near the Mitchell Museum is desirable property yet he thinks a Bed and Breakfast will depreciate the values of the homes. Mr. Thompson stated that some of the traveling public may not be desirable neighbors for the area and may be an adverse depreciation to the area.
Mr. Dick Curtin addressed Council with more statistics on homes for sale in the area. Council Member Wood thanked Mr. Curtain for the statistics and information.
Mrs. Emily Ward Nixon spoke briefly saying that the decrease in property values is her concern as she is right next door to the proposed B & B. Mrs. Nixon introduced an expert appraiser to speak of what could be the negative impact over the next few years.
Mr. Robert Kauffmann addressed Council as an expert appraiser that has done this type of work for 40 years and taught appraising for the last 30 years. He has also worked for Urban Housing for several years. Mr. Kauffmann stated that he has not done a formal appraisal of Mrs. Nixon’s home but he stated that the Bed & Breakfast next door would limit the number of people interested in purchasing her property if she were to sell. He cannot believe the City would allow spot zoning like this. He stated that a Bed & Breakfast is a business and should not be allowed in a residential area because any adjustment would be a negative adjustment. Council Member Wood asked Mr. Kauffmann if he was a paid speaker tonight and how much time he has spent on this study in Mt. Vernon. Mr. Kauffmann stated that he had spent two or three hours in Mt. Vernon today and he is from St. Clair County and has done appraisals in Centralia and other area cities. He stated that this is setting precedence for zonings. Until a few years down the road no one will know for sure what type of impact this Conditional Use will have on the area.
Mrs. Joan LaLumondier addressed Council saying that she is a neighbor of Mr. Sidwell’s and he is fine person. She lives on Olive Street, near Richview Road. She stated that she doesn’t like the Zoning Laws of the City and she thinks they need to be looked at closer.
Mrs. Sue Schrode that lives on Wilshire Drive and she is also against this Bed and Breakfast in the residential area. Passing this would set a precedence and other businesses can follow.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that a few days ago he spoke to the owners of the Hard Days Night-George Harrison Bed and Breakfast in Benton, Illinois. It has been in operation for several years. He asked if there was any problem with depreciation in the area after it opened. The people he spoke with stated that there were no adverse effects to the residential area after it opened and the values of the neighborhood have not been affected. Mr. Neibert stated that he has also spoken to two different realtors in Benton to confirm the same statements.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-52, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Bed and Breakfast for Property at 1812 Richview Road for Petitioning Party is Larry Sidwell. 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 Accepting a Quit Claim Deed for Property Located at 400 South 17th Street. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt the Resolution Accepting a Quit Claim Deed for Property Located at 400 South 17th Street.
Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Modifications to the Revolving Loan Recapture Strategy. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this change would help smaller businesses succeed on smaller projects and loans. Several of the Downtown Projects can benefit from these changes and will participate in the Revolving Loans. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution Approving Modifications to the Revolving Loan Recapture Strategy as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley addressed Council regarding a replacement on the City Tree Board. Mr. Paul Schutte chose not to be reappointed to the Board. Mayor Chesley presented the name of Mrs. Barbara Miles for advice and consent from the Council to replace Mr. Schutte on the Board. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Mayor’s Appointment of Mrs. Barbara Miles to serve on the Tree Board. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert asked Police Chief Chris Mendenall to report on the bids received for a new Police Squad Car. Chief Mendenall stated that there were three bids received, but one bid packet had two bids inside. The bids are as follows:
King City Chrysler - 2008 Charger V-8 $23,577.00
2008 Charger V-6 $22,227.00
Ford Square - 2008 Ford Crown Victoria $22,374.95
Svanda Motors - 2008 Chevrolet Impala $22,200.00
Chief Mendenall stated that his recommendation was to go with the low bid from Svanda Motors for the Chevrolet Impala for $ 22,200.00. City Manager concurred. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Purchase of a 2008 Chevrolet Impala from Svanda Motors for the Police Department in the amount of $22,200.00. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Council Member David Wood spoke about a Cub Fan prank on City Manager Neibert today.
Council Member Mike Walker spoke regarding the Save the Granada Theater drive to light up the marquee. Mr. Walker stated that he hopes that everyone participates and they get the lights needed to soon see the marquee lit brightly like the old times.
Reverend Travis Perry addressed Council stating that the Ministerial Association would be doing the “Christmas in the Park” again this year on December 21 & 22 from 6 p.m. till 9 p.m. Mr. Perry stated that there are already 9 churches involved and possibly two more will join in. It will once again be a drive through.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.