City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

November 16, 2009

 

 

 

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, November 16, 2009 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 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 November 2, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any addition, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to adopt the journal for the November 2, 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 November 2009 in the amount of $858,088.00 were presented for Council’s consideration.  Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked Council if there were any questions regarding the payables.  None were heard.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for November 2009 in the amount of $858,088.00 as presented. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

BIDS AND QUOTES

 

CITY MANAGER

 

 

 

 

 

 

CITY ATTORNEY

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting Petition of Trustees of the John R. and Eleanor R. Mitchell Foundation to Discontinue Existing Prohibition Relative to the Sale of Retail of Alcoholic Liquor. Mr. Leggans explained that this is a piece of property that was not inside the City Limits when the vote was taken in 1947 to decide the wet/dry status of the City of Mt. Vernon.  Therefore, the property was annexed at a later date and came into the City as Dry. The Mitchell Museum Foundation wants to be able to rent out some of their buildings and to hold events in their buildings such as receptions, weddings, anniversaries and their own activities. Council Member David Wood stated that at the last Council Meeting, Council suspended the rules to vote on the Ordinance allowing the Foundation to hold a Banquet License. City Attorney Leggans stated that the City agreed at the last meeting to allow the Foundation to receive a Banquet License for alcohol. It was then discovered that the property was dry, so this action had to be taken. Mrs. Susan Hughey, a Trustee of the Foundation, spoke regarding the new facility and the other buildings on the property. She stated that it is a beautiful facility. She stated that they have wonderful places to have parties, etc.

Mrs. Hughey stated that being able to rent out the buildings would really help the revenue for the Foundation. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that not only are they open to renting out the buildings and the facilities, they are opening up more to the public for activities, which is wonderful. Mayor Chesley spoke regarding the Nationalization ceremonies held there recently. Mrs. Hughey stated that last Saturday, there were 200 people passing through the museum. She stated that it is wonderful to see this activity there. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Abstain: McEnaney. Council Member McEnaney stated that he is also a Trustee at the Museum and does not want this to be a conflict in any way. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-36, an Ordinance Granting Petition of Trustees of the John R. and Eleanor R. Mitchell Foundation to Discontinue Existing Prohibition Relative to the Sale of Alcoholic Liquor. Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Abstain: McEnaney.

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 1208 Conger from Class RM-2 to Class B-2.  The petitioning party is Rena Eggleston. Mrs. Eggleston was not present. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this request had been approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission at their meeting last week.  Mrs. Eggleston wants to use this property as a parking lot to go with the building that she owns on 12th Street. City Council held First Reading.

 

 

 

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Granting a Conditional Use for Signage for Property Located at 111 Davidson Drive.  The petitioning party is Todd Mosher.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that Mr. Lee of Kohl’s Department Stores was present for this request.  Mr. Lee addressed Council saying that this is to be able to put a sign on the monument type signage on Route 15 by the Lowe’s sign. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the Resolution Granting a Conditional Use for Signage for Property Located at 111 Davidson for Kohl’s, Todd Mosher Petitioner.  Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Increasing the Number of Hotel/Motel Ticket License.  Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that the Fairfield Inn had recently inquired about obtaining a ticket license for their Motel.  This license allows the Motel to give out three tickets per person with their room rental.  The Drury Inn, The Hampton Inn and the Comfort Suites currently have this type of license. There are three Hotel/Motel Ticket license at this time. This Ordinance just adds one more. 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 # 2009-37, an Ordinance Increasing the Number of Hotel/Motel Ticket Liquor License from three to four. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Approving the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Jefferson County, Illinois.  Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent addressed Council regarding this plan. Mr. Sargent stated that this is a 167-page document with information of Jefferson County. These are plans conducive to identifying hazards.  Mr. Sargent stated that there are five areas of risks; they are earthquakes, tornados, windstorms, flooding and etc. Mr. Sargent stated that FEMA stated that this is one of the most complete plans for Jefferson County as far as identifying the risks and looking at building codes and ISO ratings and fire classifications. Mr. Sargent stated that he has spoken to the FEMA representatives. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this plan is necessary for Federal regulations to date for FEMA Grants that the City may apply for and Emergency Management.  Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that this will be an ongoing process to keep this program up. She stated that we have been working on the NIMS studies. Mayor Chesley stated that with this study, we will be a lot more ready in case of another bad storm like we had a few years ago, or any other disaster. Council Member Todd Piper asked if this was a State or Federal requirement. Mr. Sargent stated that it was actually both. Council Member David Wood stated that he understands that the Federal rules the State then the State rules the municipality.

 

 

Mr. Wood asked how we are to use this study. What areas of communication or planning have we done to be more effective? Assistant Chief Sargent stated that the idea is to read and study the plan so that when a disaster hits we are ready before the storm. Check out for hazards and risks before the crisis. A pre-plan. Council Member Wood asked about areas that we may be weak in for this plan. Mr. Sargent stated that communications and infrastructure would be some weak areas that we need to shore up and make better.

 

Assistant Chief Sargent stated that in 2011 there would be a national exercise and participants would do a tabletop functional level exercise. This would allow us to see and know what areas we are weakest in.  Council Member David Wood complimented Mr. Sargent and all of the men on the work done on this project.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-38, an Ordinance Approving the Hazard Mitigation Plan for Jefferson County, Illinois as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing Giving Notice of Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures for Property Located at 430 S. 18th Street, 1310 Conger, 2013 Perkins, 2109 Cherry, 517 S. 21st, 520 S. 15th, 408 S. 15th and 309 Caborn. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the Stewart Exhaust Building on S. 10th Street is not on the list but is in the process of being declared as dangerous and dilapidated. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to Adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice for Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures for the 8 properties listed.  430 S. 18th Street, 1310 Conger, 2013 Perkins, 2109 Cherry Street, 517 S. 21st Street, 520 S. 15th Street, 408 S. 15th Street and 309 Caborn. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving an Economic Development Agreement with Kohl’s Department Stores. City Manager Ron Neibert explained that this was from an agreement with Kohl’s for incentives for them to build a store in Mt. Vernon. This agreement will provide $1.5 million in sales tax to be rebated for Kohl’s. This means that ½ of the 1% sales tax will be rebated until the amount of $1.5 million is reached.  Kohl’s will pay the total tax to the State and then when the State returns the tax money to the City, we will pay Kohl’s ½% back to them.  Council Member David Wood stated that residents need to understand that this is all Kohl’s Sales Tax money going back to them, no money from any other Sales Tax. Council Member Todd Piper asked Mark Lee of Kohl’s what their estimated start date would be. Mr. Lee stated that late of 2010 they would likely begin to do the foundation work with an estimated date of April 2011 to be open. Council Member David Wood stated that this is the beginning of a new era for Mt. Vernon. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that the City will be working with other retail developers soon and to keep an eye on the progress for Mt. Vernon. The wheels of progress are moving finally and we are all glad. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to approve the Resolution Approving an Economic Development Agreement with Kohl’s as presented.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving a TIF Contract with PGAV Regarding an Industrial Park Conservation Area.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is Peckham, Guyton, Albers and Viets, Inc., A company that we have used before for other projects. This TIF is the West Side TIF that will cover the west side of I-57 area. This is a time sensitive area, as we need to begin projects in the area soon. Our unemployment threshold is very high which helps this qualify for a TIF area. There are certain items that must be met to be able to have a TIF area. Council Member Wood stated that the Westside TIF will also depend on the Eastside TIF.  They are contiguous. City Manager Ron Neibert spoke regarding the unemployment numbers federally, statewide and locally. The September numbers locally exceeded the national rates.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to combine the Resolution to Approve the TIF contracts with PGAV Regarding both the Eastside and the Westside TIF Projects. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. 

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution of Support for the Widening of Interstate 57. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that this is a State Project being looked at.  It will widen I-57 from Mt. Vernon to Marion making it 6 lanes. The corridor along this route is a very heavily traveled route. Mayor Chesley stated that this Resolution of Support is also being done by Benton, Sesser, Marion and West Frankfort. It will help move traffic along this area making it ready for economic development for both retail and distributing. Council Member Wood stated that he wanted to be sure everyone understands that this is State funded, no City money would be used. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Resolution of Support for the Widening of I-57 as Presented.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

MAYOR

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding a City Council Workshop Meeting to be held on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.  The purpose of this Workshop Meeting is for Discussion of the Mid Year Budget and for an Executive Session Regarding Land Acquisition.

 

CITY COUNCIL

 

 

VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

Reverend Travis Perry spoke regarding the Christmas in the Park Project.  Mr. Perry stated that three churches had dropped out this year, but that two new ones have signed up to take their places. He stated that he is looking forward to this year and hopes it will be bigger and better than ever.  The dates are December 18 & 19; The City has given permission for the closure of 27th Street from Logan to Jamison to allow for traffic.  Last year there were 1,400 cars that came through and some 3,900 persons. He discussed the traffic patterns for this year and stated that he hopes there will be even more people come out to see the displays. Mayor Chesley stated that she is looking forward to it and really enjoys the display.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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