Regular City Council Meeting
November 19, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, November 19, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order and Reverend Randy Sims 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 November 5, City Council Public Hearing, the November 5, Regular City Council Meeting, the November 6, City Council Workshop Meeting and the November 13, City Council Workshop Meeting were presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journals as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for November 2007 in the amount of $1,619,549.66 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for November 2007 in the amount of $1,619,549.66 as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Ron Neibert presented a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for a Police Video System. Mr. Neibert stated that the current system is outdated as it was put in at the station many years ago. The new system will be digital and the newest technology and will replace the old VHS, black and white system.
Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that the old system can’t be integrated with the vehicle systems, but it is necessary to tape any important interviews. This is a budgeted item and will possibly be completed in two phases. The new system will also allow monitoring from a remote location. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Grant Authorization to Seek Bids for a Police Video System. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for Lighting at Klein Field. Mr. Neibert stated that this is a budgeted item and there may be some contributions to help in the costs. The system will be bid in about 30 days and the lights will be done by baseball season. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Grant Authorization to Seek Bids for the Lighting at Klein Field as requested. Second by Council Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice of a Dangerous and Dilapidated Structure (Garage Only) for Property Located at 1017 Herbert. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the house on this property is ok, but the garage needs to be demolished. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt the Resolution Authorizing the Giving of Notice of a Dangerous and Dilapidated Structure (Garage Only) for Property Located at 1017 Herbert Street. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Reverend Marcus Blakemore addressed Council stating that he has lived at this address since 1991 and he has been collecting bricks to try to repair the garage. Mr. Blakemore stated that his neighbor grows a garden right up next to his garage and digs the soil out every year; this in turn has caused the garage to lean and almost fall along with the storm last year. Mr. Blakemore stated that he cannot afford to tear the building down himself or rehab it. He asked if the City could give him any help to do this, as he has no insurance on the garage. He stated that he got a Demolition Permit and still has time left on it as it was good for a year. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that we should go ahead and pass this Resolution, tear the garage down and then Mr. Blakemore can make payments on the job. Once the lien is paid off it will be dropped. Mr. Blakemore agreed. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution of Support for State and Federal Funding for Rend Lake Conservancy District. Mr. Jim Rippy of the Rend Lake Conservancy District spoke regarding the progress that has been made over the last few years. Mr. Rippy stated that in the past, the Board had spent money on the hotels, condos, restaurants, etc. and now the recreation part is in the black. He stated that now the water plant is faced with major updates that will cost $24 million. The Board has put aside $13
million for the job, but they will need $10 or $11 million more. They are hoping to get some State or Federal money to help with the project. Mr. Rippy stated that they can build ballparks in Marion and a shooting range in Sparta so why not help with a worthwhile project like this.
Council Member Mary Burgan asked if the new plant would help with the taste, odor and quality of the water. Mr. Rippy stated that it would to some degree, but the smell and taste now is due to the lake being so low for so long. Mr. Rippy stated that he has spoken with State Representative Shimkus and State Representative Granburg regarding help on this project. Council Member David Wood asked when the project would be complete when the funds come in. Mr. Rippy stated that bids would be out by December and break ground in January then fifteen to eighteen months to completion. Council Member Mike Walker commended Mr. Rippy and the Board for all of their work done at Rend Lake and for this proposed project. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution of Support of the State and Federal Funding for Rend Lake Conservancy District. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding the brochure that has been in the newspaper regarding the Jefferson County Development Corporation and the momentum to develop this area. The spotlight is on this area now due to the new Interchange Progress. The general public needs to be ambassadors for the City anytime they can.
Mayor Chesley spoke of the National Jr. College Golf Meet held here and Rend Lake College won first in both male and female.
Mayor Chesley spoke regarding the Downtown Mt. Vernon Development Corporation being honored by Lt. Governor Pat Quinn recently for the Illinois Main Street Program for a special recognition for their “District After 5 Tours”.
Mayor Chesley stated that she had put updates in the Council packets. Mayor Chesley stated that the City has received three proposals for the work on a Comprehensive Plan for the City. There will be a Workshop Meeting held on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. to open the proposals and review them.
Council Member David Wood extended a Happy Thanksgiving to all the residents in the area. Council Member Mike Walker also extended Happy Thanksgiving to everyone and reminded everyone that the local churches would be doing Christmas in the Park this year.
Mr. Dale Moore addressed Council regarding traffic problems at Wells Bypass and Potomac Blvd. Mr. Moore stated that the timers on the lights to enter onto Route 15 need to be changed so there is enough time to turn before the people on Potomac Blvd. turn out. Mr. Moore stated that he sat for three lights several times before he could go onto Route 15. Mayor Chesley stated that these lights are controlled by the State, as Route 15 is a State Highway. Council all agreed that there are problems at this area. Mayor Chesley advised City Manager to check with the State to check on the timing of the lights to see if there would be a remedy. Mr. Moore also asked about a lift station on his septic system, to be relocated on the property. This was discussed during negotiations for the ROW for the overpass project. Mr. Moore stated that he was told by the State that if he had an agreement with the City he needed to go back to the City. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the City would coordinate with IDOT to have the work done. Mr. Moore wanted to get the lift station moved and out of the way before the State gets to that part of construction.
Mr. Gary Wuebbles of East Bishop Avenue addressed Council regarding if there is gas running in his area. City Manager told Mr. Wuebbles that this would be Ameren/IP that supplies the gas. Mr. Wuebbles also spoke regarding the traffic and the lights near WalMart and Shiloh Drive, west of the Interstate Overpass area. He asked if the traffic signals there are operated on sensors. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he would check into this and find out.
Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.