Regular City Council Meeting
October 6, 2008
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, October 6, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order. Tammy 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 journals for the September 15, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting and the September 22, 2008 City Council Budget Workshop Meeting were presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journals for the September 15, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting and the September 22, 2008 Budget Workshop Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for October 2008 in the amount of $612,679.17 were presented for Council’s consideration. Council Member Mike Walker asked about a special check written to Executive Leasing and what vehicle was being paid off. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that it was for a vehicle in the Police Department that was leased for the County for the 911 Board. Part of the amount pays off the lease on the 2005 Explorer for the Police Department. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for October 2008 in the amount of $612,679.17 as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that quotes were requested for Christmas Pole Decoration Lights. Four quotes were received by sealed bids. One bid was received by FAX and was not considered. The bids were to be sealed bids. Mr. Neibert stated that the City requested bids for incandescent and LED lights both. The LED lights came in quite a bit higher than the incandescent. Council Member Mike Walker asked if it would not be money ahead to get the LED lights because the incandescent bulbs always had to be replaced every year due to breakage and burn out. He stated that the LED bulbs might be worth the extra if they would last longer. Mr. Walker stated that there is a long life on LED bulbs. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that there was $12,000.00 budgeted for the lights and the LED bids were all above that amount. Mayor Chesley asked if Council would like to hold these bids over until a comparison can be made on the difference of the bulbs. Council concurred.
City Manager Ron Neibert spoke regarding the request for financial quotes the City had requested. The quotes were not for real estate purchase, but were for the de-watering process at the Sewer Plant, or sewer plant improvements. The City requested quotes on $869,000.00 for 5 years 20-year amortization, for a rate fixed for the term of the loan. The quotes are as follows:
Integra Bank - $869,000.00 at 5.07%
Peoples Bank - $869,000.00 at 5.00% (will do ½ loan for same rate)
Jefferson/ Marion/Washington County
Development Corp. - $434,500.00 (or ½) at 3.75%
City Manager Ron Neibert recommended the acceptance of the ½ loan from Peoples Bank for 5.00 % and the other ½ from Jefferson, Marion, Washington County Development Corp at 3.75% This makes a combined rate of $ 4.375%. Council Member Mike Walker asked about a possible EPA Loan. Mr. Neibert stated that due to the time limit an EPA loan was not available. Council Member David Wood stated that it is good to be working with the SIEDA group to get the loan, and for Peoples Bank to work with us as well. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Accept the Quotes from Peoples National Bank and the Jefferson, Marion, Washington County Development Corporation for the loans for the Sewer Plant Dewatering Project in the amount of $ 869,000.00 as quoted. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request to Seek Bids for the Police Department for Ammunition. Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that this was the annual ammunition request to replenish ammunition for the department. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for Police Department Ammunition. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request to Close 9th Street from North Street to Casey Between 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on October 18, 2008 for the Southern Illinois Harvest Festival. Derrick Quitsch was present to speak regarding the Festival. Mr. Quitsch spoke regarding the Festival and the activities involved. He stated that there would be a flea market, a car show, a lot of children activities, several food vendors, music performances, the parade and many other activities. Council Member Burgan asked what the parade route would be. Mr. Quitsch stated that it would be from Seventh Street by the High School, to Main Street, up to 10th Street then south to Casey and turn and go back to the High School. Council Member Holt asked why it was not going on down 10th Street to Newby Avenue as the Sweetcorn and Watermelon Parade always did. She stated that there are many people that watch the parade from Casey to Newby and up Newby to the Big Lots parking lot. She stated that she feels that this route would be the best for the parade as it has always served well in the past. Mr. Quitsch stated that the committee thought if the parade was centered more on downtown between Main and Casey, that people would stay downtown longer after the parade. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Street Closings as requested, but with the change or modification of the parade route to go all the way down 10th Street to go to Newby Avenue. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Second Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for Rental Equipment for Property (Tract 1) at 401 S. 10th Street. The petitioning party is Nave’s Party Supplies. Melody Reaney was present to represent Nave’s. She stated that this is property they own and would like to park Penske Rental Trucks on the lots. Council Member Mike Walker asked how many vehicles she expected to be parked there. Mrs. Reaney stated that it changes from day to day. Mrs. Reaney stated that sometimes 4 or 5 sometimes 8 or 9 depending on how many she has rented out and coming back in. Mr. Walker asked if there would be an enclosure. Mrs. Reaney stated that there would not be an enclosure. Mayor Chesley asked about the right-of-way and if the trucks are parked on the railroad right-of-way. Mrs. Reaney stated that they may be a little over, but she had mowed and maintained that property for 23 years. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve Ordinance # 2008-42, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for Rental Equipment for Property (tract 1) at 401 South 10th Street. The petitioning party is Nave’s Party Supplies. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for Rental Equipment for Property (tract 2) at 401 South 10th Street. The petitioning party is Nave’s Party Supplies. Mrs. Reaney stated again that this is for more parking for the Penske Rental Trucks that Nave’s is Renting out. Mrs. Reaney stated that the truck rental is sustaining the store right now. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve Ordinance # 2008-43, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for Rental Equipment for Property (tract 2) at 401 South 10th Street. The petitioning party is Nave’s Party Supplies. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Lots by the City. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that at the last meeting, Council asked for a map that would show the lots to be sold. Mayor Chesley stated that the map makes it easier to locate the correct lots to be sold. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2008-44, an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus City Owned Lots. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Setting the Salary for the Office of the City Clerk. Mayor Chesley stated that it had been 12 years since the City Clerk’s position has had a raise. The salary now is $ 27,400.00. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this item would not affect the current City Clerk’s salary, as it will not go into effect until May 2009 when the newly elected officials go into office. The item just has to be acted on 180 days before the date that the elected Clerk would take office. Mr. Neibert stated that a survey had been done of City Clerks in other cities about our size and the City Clerk here is quite a bit under the other salaries. Mr. Neibert explained that there are elected clerks and appointed clerks. Mt. Vernon’s is elected. The proposal is to raise the Clerk’s salary to $32,500.00 annually. Mr. Neibert stated that this is still not a large raise for this position. The Clerk’s position has not had a raise since 1996 and the duties have increased since then. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2008-45, an Ordinance Setting the Salary for the City Clerk’s Position. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she would like to announce that the Council would be holding a Workshop Meeting on October 14, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1100 Main Street. The purpose of this Workshop Meeting is for an Audit Review.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she had taken a tour of the sewer plant with Randy Tucker and looked into the dewatering process. Mr. Tucker showed the Mayor the equipment and how it works. Mayor Chesley stated that this is a great step forward for the City and EMC. A state of the art addition and will allow growth in the future. We are not locked into any land issues any longer. Council Member David Wood stated that he had been to the plant three times to see the workings of the plant. He stated that the plant seems to be working well and will help the City a lot.
Mayor Chesley spoke regarding rumors around town that she is a Mayor that is not interested in economic development and growth. Mayor Chesley stated that that is very far from the truth. Mayor Chesley stated that she works daily on economic development. Mayor Chesley stated that she has been making connections and visiting meetings and locations regarding economic development. Mayor Chesley stated that she, City Manager and Mary Ellen Bechtel attended a seminar and meeting on International Council of Shopping Centers to learn what they are looking for. She stated that they have also attended several follow up meetings on this. Mayor Chesley stated that she studies and tries to keep up with trends and what economic development areas are looking for. Mayor Chesley stated that they would be going back to the conference in Chicago again in the near future. She stated that she keeps meeting with Jefferson County Development Commission to stay abreast of any developments. She stated that she has the Southern Illinois Mayors Association meeting in Mt. Vernon the last year or so. They used to move their meetings around, but they like the accommodations in Mt. Vernon and the meeting areas at the Tourism Building. She has contacts checking to see what Mt. Vernon has to offer them for development. Mayor Chesley stated that we do need infrastructure improvement in the new interchange area. The City now has growing pains and will need help for major arteries, major roads. Mayor Chesley stated that the plans, costs and information is essential. The 2009 Highway Bill is very important, as is the Capitol Bill. We need education and skilled laborer forces to offer. Knowledge is power.
Council Member Mike Walker stated that he is not pleased with the applicants on zoning and variance applications. We recently took an application that should have been from a church, but the sign contractor did the application in his own name instead of the church. Council Member Walker also stated that there needs to be drawings with the applications showing the place to set the sign and a picture of the proposed sign. Council Member Walker asked if the City Clerk could start checking the applications in her office before filing to be sure that they are done the way Council wants them to be. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the Clerk’s office can indeed check the applications. Council Member Wood agreed and stated that this has been discussed earlier and needs to be complied with before Council gets the applications.
Mr. Bobby Farris of Mt. Vernon addressed Council and stated that the Rams only have two more games left to play. If they win these two games he would like to see the town painted orange & black to celebrate.
Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.