City of Mt

City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

November 2, 2009

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order. Corporation Counsel Bill Howard 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 Regular City Council Meeting of October 19, 2009, was presented for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the journal for the October 19, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: McEnaney.

The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for November 2009 in the amount of $1,819,188.03 were presented for Council’s consideration. Council Member David Wood asked what the difference was between a special check and a regular check. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that a special check is a payment that comes due and the funds are needed before the time that the regular bills come due and are approved. Council Member David Wood asked about the $1,131,263.10 payment to Illinois Municipal League for the 2010 Insurance. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is an annual payment for the City’s liability, Workman’s Comp and all property insurance. The Workmen’s Comp is 70% of this total. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for November 2009 in the amount of $1,819,188.03 as presented. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: McEnaney.

BIDS AND QUOTES

City Manager Ron Neibert stated that two bids had been received for a 1-Ton Dump Truck for the Parks Department. Equipment Maintenance Director Mike Shannon was present to give Council the results of the bids. The bids were as follows:

Ford Square of Mt. Vernon

2010 Ford 350 cab w/ 9 ft Knapheide Dump Bed $ 28,378.32

Badger Truck Center Brookfield, WI.

2010 Ford 350 Chasis w/ 9 ft Dump Bed $ 26,673.00

The difference in the bids was $1,705.00. Mr. Shannon recommended the acceptance of the low bid in the amount of $ 26,673.00 from Badger. City Manager Ron Neibert concurred. This is a budgeted item and the amount is under budget. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to accept the low bid of Badger Truck Center for the 2010 Ford 350 chasis and Dump Bed in the amount of $ 26,673.00 as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: McEnaney.

City Manager Ron Neibert stated that four bids were received for Two Monitor/Defibrillators for the Fire Department. Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent presented the bid results. The bids were as follows:

Medtronics ERS – Redmond, VA $ 57,382.76

Zoll Medical – Chelmsford, MA $ 57,444.60

Vital Education – Loda, IL $ 51,677.48

Enerspect Medical – Portland, OR $ 46,996.08

Assistant Chief Sargent stated that only the bid from Medtronics met the specs required. He stated that this is a budgeted item and it is under budget. He therefore recommended the bid from Medtronics ERS in the amount of $57,382.76 be approved. City Manager Ron Neibert concurred. Council Member Mary Burgan asked why the other companies would bid if they could not meet the specs required. Mr. Sargent stated that they add on other items to try to make it look as if they comply. Mr. Sargent stated that the department does not know the reputation of some of the companies. Council Member David Wood asked if Mr. Sargent thought that this was a successful bidding process, since three of the bids did not meet specs. Mr. Sargent stated that the process was a successful process, but the responses from the companies were not what we needed. Mr. Sargent stated that the Phillips Company has just started to manufacture the Cardiac Monitors/Defibrillators and they don’t know about the quality and the equipment that they are offering. Also one company bid $11,000.00 more than another for the same equipment. Making the department wonder what the difference in the equipment might be. There were also discrepancies in the service contracts. One offered a 3-year but we asked for a 5-year service contract. Generally there was a lot of difference in the bids. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to accept the bid from Medtronics ERS in the amount of $ 57,382.76 for the two – Monitor/Defibrillators for the Fire Department. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: McEnaney. Council Member David Wood asked if from now on, Council could have a sheet showing the bid figures before the meeting so they would not have to try to write them down as they go. City Manager Neibert stated that the bids could be opened earlier in the day and the results written up before the meetings.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for Two New Police Squad Cars. Mr. Neibert stated that we had been holding out to see if we were awarded a grant from the Federal Government. We did not receive the grant. This is a budgeted item. Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that with so many cities applying for the grants, and there being limited funds available, that was why we did not receive one. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Grant the Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for two New Squad Cars for the Police Department. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: McEnaney.

City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Reallocation of Funds for the 2009/2010 Budget. City Manager Neibert stated that these are minor adjustments. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to approve the Request for Reallocation of Funds for the 2009/2010 Budget as presented. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: McEnaney.

CITY ATTORNEY

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Home Day Care for Property Located at 1102 South 25^th Street. The petitioning party is Anna Coomer. Mrs. Coomer was present to answer any questions. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the Ordinance, if passed states that the request for a waiver of the fence is denied. This means that before she can open as a daycare, she will have to have a fence put up. Mrs. Coomer stated that she is unable at this time to afford to put up a fence. She stated that she will try to get one put up after the first of the year. Corporation Counsel Howard stated that the fence will have to be up before she can open as a day care. Council Member Mary Burgan asked Mrs. Comer how much a fence would cost her, if she had an estimate. Mrs. Coomer stated that the fence was estimated at $1,380.00. That was the lowest estimate she had. Council Member Burgan asked her to go talk to the fence company and see if they would put the fence up and let her make payments to them directly to cover it. She also suggested that Mrs. Coomer talk to her customers for the day care to see if they could pre pay to help her out. Mrs. Burgan stated that since this is a business, she should be able to get business loan type help from the fence company. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Ordinance # 2009-34, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Home Day Care for Anna Coomer for property located at 1102 South 25^th Street with the Fence Waiver Denied. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yea: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: McEnaney.

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Regarding the Number of Members on the Zoning and Planning Commission. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that since the two Boards had been combined, there are 11 members on the Commission. Two of the members have decided to drop off the Board. Dr. Hayman is retiring and Gary Crouse is moving from Mt. Vernon so there would be 2 vacancies on the Board. Also, Cleo Holt resigned a while back and has not been replaced. Mayor Chesley recommends dropping the number of Board members from 11 to 9. This will still leave one vacancy on the Board to be appointed. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: McEnaney. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-35, an Ordinance Regarding the Number of Members on the Zoning and Planning Commission. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: Burgan, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: McEnaney.

MAYOR

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that it had been an exciting two weeks in the City of Mt. Vernon. There had been two ribbon cuttings held. The first one was last week for the new street, South Water Tower between 34^th Street and 42^nd Street. This is a wonderful road that will enable future development in the area.

The next ribbon cutting was held at the new Interchange/Overpass at Veterans Memorial Drive. Mayor Chesley stated that she was very excited to see all of the people that turned out in the rain to watch the ribbon cutting. She stated that she was very proud when the band came marching over the overpass. This is history for Mt. Vernon Mayor Chesley said. It will open up for economic development and opportunity. Mayor Chesley stated that the road is not actually open yet. The State has to come in and put down striping on the roadway and there are some lighting issues to finish up but it should be open by the end of the week.

Council Members David Wood and Mary Burgan stated that it was a very impressive ribbon cutting and they too were excited to see the drum line come over the overpass. Council Member Todd Piper stated that he is excited that this will open up a lot of economic development and growth opportunities. Council Member David Wood stated that he looks forward to when we can open up Davidson Avenue and the extended roadways.

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she, City Manager Ron Neibert and Mary Ellen Bechtel had been in Chicago last week for the International Shopping Centers Convention. She stated that they had attended this conference before, but it is always good to be there face to face so they don’t forget we are here.

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding the Granada Theater for the Arts had been awarded the Governor’s Home Town Award last week, She stated that she hopes that this will help them open up to more performances and activities.

Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that the Citizens Police Academy will begin again on the 2^nd Tuesday in January. It is a 7-week course from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays. Residents can call the Police Department to apply. You must be 18 or older to enroll.

City Manager Ron Neibert spoke regarding the bulk pick-up to be held this week on your normal garbage day. Large items will be picked up on your day. Appliances will all be picked up on Friday. There will be no yard waste pick up this week. They will not pick up items such as tires, hazardous waste, etc.

Council Member Todd Piper spoke regarding the ribbon cutting held at the Park for the walking trails. He stated that the trails were really nice now and that benches and flowers will be put along the trails. He stated that this is a wonderful addition to our City Park.

VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Mr. Bobby Farris of Mt. Vernon spoke about the ribbon cutting ceremony. He also asked what the City plans to do with the Horace Mann School. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the City is looking into its options. He stated that the building is leaking; there is asbestos in the building and a lot of mold and mildew in the building so the City cannot rent it out in this condition. Mr. Farris also complained about the traffic and people speeding along S. 23^rd Street. Mr. Neibert stated that it would be looked into.

Mr. Glen Littrell spoke regarding the Kiwanis Club and the work that they have begun on the North Shelter at the Park. He stated that they have put a new green roof on it and are doing more work on the shelter. He also spoke regarding the gazebo on the lake island that the club had done. He hopes other clubs come along and help make the Park a beautiful park.

ADJOURNMENT

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