Regular City Council Meeting
November 5, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, November 5, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order and Reverend Bob Meyer gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent Council Member Shirilyn Holt.
The journal for the October 15, 2007 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 15, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for November 2007 in the amount of $1,426,602.50 were presented for Council consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for November 2007 in the amount of $1,426,602.50 as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Ron Neibert introduced Keith Moran of DMi who made a presentation regarding the Eligibility Study for the Downtown Redevelopment Project Area. Mr. Moran stated that a community couldn’t establish a TIF anywhere they want to, they must qualify under certain factors. Mr. Moran stated that there are 874 parcels of developed property, rights of way and undeveloped property in the downtown section and sections to the northwest and southeast of downtown in
the City. He stated that the area is going to qualify as a conservation area meaning that fifty percent or more of the structures must have an age of 35 years or greater. In total the City has 660 structures in the area, 494 of which are 35 years of age or older or otherwise 75% of the total structures. Council Member David Wood asked about the 5 qualifying factors. Mr. Moran stated the five qualifying factors are: Age, Deterioration, Excessive Land Coverage, Lack of a Community Plan and Low EAV Growth. Other blighting factors exist within the area, just not necessarily to a qualifying extent and under the statute we would need three. Council Member Wood asked Mr. Moran about the work papers that backup and support the information in his report. Mr. Wood stated he wanted to make sure the City Manager’s office has an opportunity to look through more of the specifics and get a feel for some of the factors that were not necessarily here that were qualifying to get as much information we paid for. The study was to prove an eligibility point but we ought to get as much mileage out of it as we can and to get that distributed out to the appropriate departments. Mr. Moran replied that perhaps they could incorporate that through the development of the TIF Plan.
Mr. Mark Noonan of DMI presented a Housing Impact Study for the Proposed TIF area. He stated that two things generate the need for a Housing Impact Study, if planned development will result in displacement of 10 or more households, and the second is if the area contains 75 or more inhabited units. Mr. Noonan stated that as of October 5, there were 177 parcels containing 273 buildings with residential uses and 209 dwelling units within the boundary. Some of the units were vacant. At most there are 181 inhabited residential units within the boundaries of the area. Council Member David Wood asked several questions regarding this report and stated that since we don’t have a TIF Project Planned yet, we don’t know what the impact on any residents will be.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that there would be an Impact Meeting on November 26, 2007, which is another required step. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the impact study information can be used to focus on areas needed while crafting the redevelopment plan for the TIF area.
City Manager Ron Neibert requested Authorization to Apply for a Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grant. He stated there is a 5% City match required which would be about $1,500.00. Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent explained the grant in detail. He stated that the Fire Department would use the $30,000.00 to purchase items such as cameras, computer equipment, etc. to promote fire prevention and safety in our community. Motion by Council Member David Wood to grant Authorization to Apply for a Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grant. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert requested Permission to Seek Bids for an IBM Mainframe Computer. Mr. Neibert stated that this is an AS400, which is a budgeted item. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgin to grant Permission to Seek Bids for an IBM Mainframe Computer. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert requested Permission to Waive Bid Procedures for Four MSA Fire Hawk Air Packs for the Fire Department. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Waive Bid Procedures for Four MSA Fire Hawk Air Packs for the Fire Department. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending the Parking Ordinance. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve Ordinance # 2007-54 an Ordinance Amending the Parking Ordinance. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Declaring Certain Property as Surplus. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-55 an Ordinance Declaring Certain Property as Surplus. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving a Lease Agreement with Jefferson Fire Protection District Providing for the Placement of a Generator. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve a Resolution Approving a Lease Agreement with Jefferson Fire Protection District Providing for the Placement of a Generator. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution of Support for the Application to Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Funds for a Housing Rehabilitation Grant; a Resolution of Support for the Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Assistance Program Grant and a Resolution Approving Agreement with Crosswalk Community Action Agency. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution of Support for the Application to Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Funds for a Housing Rehabilitation Grant; the Resolution of Support for the Application to the State of Illinois for a Community Development Assistance Program Grant and the Resolution Approving Agreement with Crosswalk Community Action Agency. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
CITY COUNCIL
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Tracy Boss voiced her concern about high school students being allowed to smoke off campus. She stated that where she lived before, juveniles were ticketed for being in possession of tobacco products. Mrs. Boss stated that she contacted the Police Department and was told that there isn’t any law in place to address this issue. Mrs. Boss hopes there can be an Ordinance created to discourage juveniles from possessing tobacco products.
Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.