City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois
Regular City Council Meeting
October 5, 2009
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order and Reverend Randy Sims of Christian Fellowship 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 September 21, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to approve the journal for the September 21, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for October in the amount of $558,519.22 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for October Accounts Payable in the amount of $558,519.22 as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Ron Neibert reported that two bids had been received for five (5) Mobile Data Terminals (laptop computers for vehicles) for the Police Department. Police Chief Chris Mendenall presented the two bids that were received. The bids were as follows:
Kunce Computers – Mt. Vernon, IL $ 28,260.00
CDS Office Technology
Earth City, MO. $ 25,000.00
Chief Mendenall recommended that we accept the low bid from CDS Office Technology in the amount of $25,000.00 for the five laptop computers. City Manager Ron Neibert concurred and stated that the bid from CDS was actually $25,147.00 and he had contacted them to see if they would lower their bid to the $25,000.00 amount. As the low bidder the City is allowed to do this. Council asked if these were hardtop computers to go in vehicles. Chief Mendenall stated that they were. These five will replace some of the old computers that are well worn out. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the low bid from CDS Office Technology for five (5) new laptop computers in the amount of $25,000.00. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Ron Neibert presented a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for a New Backhoe for the Public Utilities Department. This is a budgeted item. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve Authorization to Seek Bids for a New Backhoe for the Public Utilities Department as requested. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that item 8-B would not be presented at this time.
City Manager Ron Neibert Presented a Request for an Executive Session to be held following this Regular City Council Meeting to Discuss Land Acquisition.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance amending the Liquor Ordinance. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that the amendment would amend portions of the Ordinance regarding Control Premises, License classifications, permits and fees and location restrictions. Mayor Chesley stated that this would be amended to provide a more efficient managing of this type of license. Mayor Chelsey spoke regarding the changes to the number of licenses. There would be a new classification of a Brew Pub License. There would be an addition of one drink to the two-drink limit for Hotel Ticket Licenses. Mayor Chesley asked if anyone from the audience would like to speak regarding these changes.
Dr. Brad Drake of Genkota Winery addressed Council regarding the Brew Pub change. Dr. Drake stated that his winery has been opened for 12 years now. He is asking Council for a Brew Pub License so that he can operate a microbrewery at the winery. This would also require Council allowing him to have two licenses at one location as he currently has a wine maker’s license at the location. He stated that he feels that the brewpub and the winery making sort of run together. He has checked into the State requirements and the Federal requirements. He must obtain the City license before he can proceed with the other two. Dr. Drake asked for a suspension of the rules so he can get started right away. He also asked if Council would consider lowering the license fees from the $1,000.00 plus the $500.00 for Sunday sales to a lower fee then raise it at a graduated rate as the business goes on, possibly every three years. Council Member Todd Piper asked if there were license fees for other liquor license in the City. Mayor Chesley stated that yes, there are. One thousand dollars a year for most, $400.00 for only beer and wine and hotel ticket license, and another $500.00 for Sunday sales. Dr. Drake stated that the local license fee is $1,000.00 for the winery and the Brew Pub would also be $1,000.00 annually, He would also have State and Federal fees. State Fee is $1,050.00 and the Federal fee is $250.00. City Attorney David R. Leggans gave a run down of all of the license and the costs.
Discussion was held regarding more than one license at one location. City Attorney Leggans stated that also in a B-PL zoning such as a shopping center could have more than one license request.
Mike Carbonaro of the Holiday Inn addressed Council regarding having the license for the hotel/motel be in the name of the restaurant owners that lease the restaurant at their hotel. The Ordinance change will cover this issue. It will allow for this and allow for the Restaurant to be able to sell liquor throughout the hotel premises. City Attorney David R. Leggans explained the reasoning for this change and how it is addressed in the Ordinance change.
Mrs. Sharon Bradham of the Mitchell Museum Organization spoke regarding a request for a Banquet License for the Museum. This would allow them to rent out their building for weddings, receptions, etc. and serve liquor. She feels that they have a unique rental facility that could be a beautiful setting for many entities.
Mr. David Lister of the Granada Center for the Performing Arts addressed Council. Mr. Lister stated that they have had many receptions and events held at their location and they could have many more. There have been several High School Class Reunions held there recently. This would allow for them to sell liquor to the people that rent the building for their events. Mr. Lister stated that he is very proud of the Governors Home Town Award they recently were awarded and he is very happy that the Granada is self-supporting. Therefore, Mr. Lister is also asking for a Banquet License for the Granada Center.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: Burgan. McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-32, an Ordinance Amending the Liquor Ordinance. This will only Amend the Portion Regarding the Hotel/Motel License at this time. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
At this time, Motion by Council Member David Wood to hold First Reading Only on the rest of the Liquor Ordinance Changes presented until Council can review all of the requests. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Council will add this to the discussion on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 Workshop Meeting.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Round Table Design for Engineering Services. This has to do with the Wagner Road Lift Station Project. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to approve this Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Round Table Design for Engineering Services. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
Council agreed again to discuss this issue at the Workshop Meeting on October 13, 2009.
MAYOR
Mayor Chesley spoke regarding all of the activities going on in the City during the month of October.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she wanted to congratulate the Granada Theater for the Hometown Governors Award that they recently received. This is quite an honor for the Granada and the City.
Mayor Chesley also stated that the NOW Group of Nutrition on Weekends, also won a Governors Hometown Award. Mayor Chesley stated that this group makes sure that the school children have healthy meals even on weekends.
Mayor Chesley stated that there was a Governors Home Town Award in 1987 for the Regional Senior Olympic Games also.
Mayor Chesley spoke regarding the Light Support Aircraft gathering at the airport last weekend. She named all of the sponsors for the gathering and thanked all of them for their help.
Mayor Chesley announced that there would be a City Council Workshop Meeting on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The discussion of the liquor Ordinance will be discussed at that meeting also.
City Manager Ron Neibert announced that the City Clean Up would be held again the week of November 2, 2009. This is the week that they will pick up all large items.
CITY COUNCIL
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Bobbie Farris of Mt. Vernon asked when the new roadways would be opened. Mayor Chesley stated that the last the City has heard it would be the end of October possibly.
Mr. A.P. Petties spoke regarding cleaning up the City. He stated that the City is filthy. The streets and alleys need cleaned. Mr. Petties stated that we need to keep Mt. Vernon clean and improve our City.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Council Member David Wood to go into Executive Session to Discuss Land Acquisition and Possible Pending Litigation.
ADJOURNMENT
Council returned to open session at 8:45 p.m. Motion by Council Member David Wood to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.