City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

November 1, 2010

 

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, November 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order and Reverend Travis Perry of the Bonnie and Ina United Methodist Churches gave the invocation.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

 

Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Todd Piper, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.  Absent: Council Member Dennis McEnaney.

 

The journal for the October 18, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to approve the journal for the October 18, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: McEnaney.

 

The Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for November 2010 in the amount of $ 476,369.39 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for November 2010 in the amount of $ 476,369.39 as presented.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: McEnaney.

 

 

BIDS AND QUOTES

 

 

CITY MANAGER

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that City Manager Ron Neibert was not in attendance this week so Finance Director Merle Hollmann would sit in for him.

  

Finance Director Merle Hollmann presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Seek Bids for Cleaning Services.  Mr. Hollmann stated that since 1997, the City has contracted with what is now Servepro.  They had notified the City that they would like to have a pay increase on the contract. Therefore the City has decided to go out for bids for the contract. Mr. Hollmann stated that the Finance Department is working on the bid sheets and that they would like to have them back in by the November 15 Regular Meeting. The contract is to clean City Hall three times a week, the Police Department 5 times a week, the Municipal West Building three times a week and add the new building on South 12th Street one time a week. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to Grant Permission to Seek Bids for Cleaning Services.  Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: McEnaney.

 

 

CITY ATTORNEY

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration  a Second Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 2915 Benton Road from Class B-2 to Class RM-2.  The petitioning Party is Richard Adams.  Mr. Adams was present to address Council.  Mr. Adams again stated that his daughter and son-in-law live in the home next to his.  He stated that it is a very old and run down home and he would like to replace the home with a new mobile home for them.  He stated that the current home has become a money pit and whatever you put into it just calls for more. Mr. Adams stated that there are no other mobile homes in the area, but he believes that the mobile home would improve the area, rather than make it look worse.  Council discussed options on voting on this request. Motion by Council Member David Wood for Ordinance # 2010-48 as presented.  There was no second to this motion. Therefore, the Ordinance died due to the lack of a second. Mr. Wood explained  that  his intent was not to motion to pass this Ordinance, just to put it on the table for Council’s vote.

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First reading of an Ordinance Declaring Certain Items Surplus. Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that Council has a list of the items and they are no longer needed by the City.  They will be sold at the I-64 Auction at a later date. The items consist of three vehicles and several tools and pieces of equipment. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: McEnaney.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2010-48, an Ordinance Declaring Certain Items as Surplus.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: McEnaney.

 

 

 

MAYOR

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding the Burn Ban in the City.  Due to the extreme dryness in the area, leaf burning has been banned. Once we get substantial rain, burning will again be allowed.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding the upcoming Christmas Parade. The theme of the parade this year is Dreaming of a White Christmas. It will be held on December 4 at 5:30 p.m. For anyone interested in being in the parade please contact Debbie at 242-0385.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding a Special City Council Meting to be held on Thursday, November 4 at 3:30 p.m. at Veterans Park. This Special Meeting is in regards to the Housing Ordinance.  The City began work on this about 9 months ago and a committee was formed to work on the Ordinance. The Ordinance will be presented on Thursday, November 4 to the public.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding encouraging everyone to be sure to go out and vote tomorrow. It is very important.

 

 

CITY COUNCIL

 

 

VISITORS / CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

Reverend Travis Perry addressed Council regarding the “Christmas in the Park”.  He stated that they had two churches drop out this year, but  other churches have come forward to join in the program. There will be 13 total in the group this year and he hopes it is better than ever.  This is the 5th year of the program and it is very successful. The dates are Friday and Saturday, December 17 and 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting.  Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: McEnaney.