City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois
December 21, 2009
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:10 p.m. following the Public Hearing in the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park.
Reverend Travis Perry of the Bonnie and Ina Methodist Churches gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Dennis McEnaney, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Todd Piper.
The journals for the December 7, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting and the December 14, 2009 City Council Workshop Meeting were presented for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to approve the journals for the December 7, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting and the December 14, 2009 City Council Workshop meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper.
The Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for December 2009 in the amount of $ 711,059.05 were presented for Councils consideration. Council Member Dennis McEnaney stated that he had a couple of questions regarding the payables. He asked about item # 10, a check for HMG for Engineering for Veterans Memorial Drive and Wells Bypass Sewer Extension, he asked for an update on this project. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is the design engineering field surveys and coring samples. We are still on track for the 15 months. April or May of 1020 for the engineering.
Mr. McEnaney asked also about # 26, for Roundtable. Mr. Neibert stated that this is for Intermountain and a design on Shiloh Drive.
Council Member Mary Burgan asked about item # 18, a fountain. Mr. Neibert stated that was the fountain at the Park Lake. It stopped working and had to be replaced.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable in the amount of $711,059.05 for December 2009 as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper.
BIDS AND QUOTES
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids were received for One New Aerator for the Park Department. The bids were opened by Maintenance Supervisor Mike Shannon and City Clerk Jackie Sharp. The bids were as follows:
Erb Equipment – Belleville, IL $ 5,934.00 met specs
MTI Distributing/TPEC
Minneapolis, MN $ 5,495.57
Mr. Shannon stated that the Erb Equipment met the specs for the aerator needed. He recommended accepting the bid from Erb Equipment in the amount of $ 5,934.00. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he concurred. This is a budgeted item and Erb met the bid specs. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Purchase of an Aerator for the Park Department from Erb Equipment in the amount of $ 5,934.00 as presented. Mr. Wood stated that he appreciated the City Manager’s providing the forms showing the bids and other information regarding the bids. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids were received for a Tree Chipper. The bids received were as follows:
Luby Equipment Service
Fenton, MO $ 33,700.00 met specs
($ 2,000. trade in)
Vermer Midwest
Chesterfield, MO $
32,143.00 met specs
($ 7,000. trade in)
Woody’s Municipal Supply
Edwardsville, IL $ 32,893.00 met specs
($ 6,000. trade in)
Mr. Shannon stated that with the bids and trade ins, he recommends going with the Vermer Midwest bid in the amount of $ 32,143.00 with the $7,000.00 trade in. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he concurred and that this is also a budgeted item. Mr. Neibert stated that the bid documents were actually prepared by Mr. Shannon. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to approve the bid of Vermer Midwest in the amount of $ 32,143.00 with a $7,000.00 trade in. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Ron Neibert presented a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for a Forensic Crime Scene Scope for the Police Department. Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that this is a piece of equipment that helps a lot in crime scene processing. It allows the Police to see evidence that may not be visible to the naked eye. Equipment like this helped a lot in solving the Janna Reynolds crime several years ago. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for a Forensic Crime Scene Scope as requested. This is a budget item. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Establishing a Maximum Levy Rate for Special Services Area No. 1. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this was the subject of the Public Hearing earlier. Council Member Dennis McEnaney stated that he applauded the citizens of Mt. Vernon for stepping up on this issue. Council Member Mary Burgan stated that she also applauded the owners of the property in the DMDC area. Council Member David Wood stated that he also wanted to thank everyone for coming and giving their support or opposition to this subject. It is always good to hear both sides of an issue. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-40, an Ordinance Establishing a Maximum Levy Rate for the Special Services Area # 1. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing a Tax Levy. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is the Annual Tax Levy for the City of Mt. Vernon. This is for the property taxes. The income is approximately 10% of the total budget for the Cities operations. Mr. Neibert stated that this levy covers the pension funds for the city and there had been a loss in the past year or so due to the stocks and losses the Fire and Police Funds had due to the markets. The State Department
of Insurance tells us how much we must have for these funds. We levy for only 6 items. This year’s increase is a 4.81 increase from last years levy. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-41, an Ordinance Authorizing the Annual Tax Levy for the City of Mt. Vernon. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the Salary Ordinance. City Manager Ron Neibert explained that this is changing a position in the Finance Department. Carol Burk, a 35-year employee will be retiring in April 2010. He position is as an Accountant. It is felt that changing the position to that of an Assistant Finance Director would be a good move on the City’s part. The new employee would be required to have an accounting degree and experience in the field. This person would also be able to cover when Finance Director Merle Hollmann is absent. Applications will be advertised in several papers and venues. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-42, an Ordinance Amending the Salary Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Approving a Land Purchase Agreement with Intermountain Electronics. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this company is from Utah and makes power control boxes for coal mines. They are hoping to expand not only into Illinois, but also into Kentucky and other areas. They will have 15 full time jobs when they locate here. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked what the time line on this project was. City Manager Neibert stated that this is the final language on the purchase agreement for the property. Council Member David Wood asked if there had been any changes to speak of on the agreements since Council had reviewed it. Mr. Neibert stated that there had not been any changes. Mr. Neibert stated that Intermountain needs to close with the bonding by the 28th of December. As soon as weather permits, they hope to begin the work on the 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, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance #2009-43 an Ordinance Approving a Land Purchase Agreement with Intermountain Electronics. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper. Mayor Chesley stated that she hopes we have a lot more of these projects coming along with the new year.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Stating the City’s Intent to Designate a Portion of the City of Mt. Vernon as a Redevelopment Project Area and to Induce Development Interest Within Such Area (Proposed Route 15/I-57 Redevelopment Project Area). Mayor Chesley stated that this is referred to as the east side of I-57 development TIF. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he had placed a map of the area at each Council Members seats for them to actually see the area being discussed. The picture showed the proposed boundaries of the district. Mr. Neibert stated that the boundary determination is very specific for this TIF. Mr. Neibert discussed the blighting factors that allow the area to be a TIF District and named several other conditions that will make it eligible for a TIF. Council Member David Wood stated that he would like for the City Clerk to post the maps on the board at City Hall so any interested people can come in and look at the area designated to see if their property may be in the district. City Clerk Jackie Sharp stated that she would post the maps Tuesday morning. Council Member Wood asked what the proposed time frame would be for this project. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he expects the time frame to add any additional property will actually be very short. He stated that he will know more the middle of next week. PGAV is looking at the proposed area now to be sure that we meet the eligibility requirements for a TIF. Mr. Neibert stated that the project should be completed within 5 months. Mr. Wood stated that the west side TIF is dependent on the east side TIF. So without the east side TIF we don’t meet the criteria for the next one. Mayor Chesley stated that this is a lot of the economic development the City has plans for in the community. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Approve the Resolution Stating the City’s Intent to Designate a Portion of the City of Mt. Vernon as Redevelopment Project Area and to Induce Development Interest Within Such Area (Proposed Route 15 / I-57 Redevelopment Project Area) as described. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Piper.
Council Member Todd Piper entered the meeting at 7:44 p.m.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Stating the City’s Intent to Designate a Portion of the City of Mt. Vernon as a Redevelopment Project Area and to Induce Development Interest Within Such Area (Proposed Industrial Park Conservation Area). City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this would be contiguous to a blighted area to allow this area to become a TIF area. This area also includes Ambassador Lane and Sparrow Lane. The area is 600 plus acres and would be what can be developed in 23 years. The counties unemployment is also a qualifying factor in this TIF area. The area is not all in side the City, but will be annexed. Mr. Neibert gave Council an updated map of the area, which will also be posted at City Hall. Council Member David Wood spoke regarding the size of this west side TIF. City Manager Neibert stated that some of the annexations should be to Council by the 2nd meeting in January. Mayor Chesley stated that she would like to have an informative session for the property owners and public giving details of the progress of these projects because this is new to the City of Mt. Vernon and it needs to be explained to all citizens. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution Stating the City’s Intent to Designate a Portion of the City of Mt. Vernon as a Redevelopment Project Area and to Induce Development Interest Within Such Area (Proposed Industrial Park and Conservation Area). Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
MAYOR
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she would like to address a couple of concerns that she recently had. The stop sign at 42nd and Veterans did not get attention, so it has now been replaced with a sign with lights and also a stop sign in the middle of the intersection. Until people get used to stopping there it needed to stand out more because people were running right through it. Mayor Chesley also stated that the stop light at Wells Bypass and Route 15 to turn west was almost impossible. IDOT is looking into this problem.
Mayor Chesley also spoke regarding the Chamber of Commerce spearheading a ‘Save the Bookstore’ Project. The B. Dalton Bookstore in the mall is closing. The Chamber has numbers to call to give an opinion and asking them to keep it open or build a Barnes and Noble store here.
CITY COUNCIL
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Reverend Travis Perry of the Bonnie and Ina United Methodist Church gave a report on the ‘Christmas in the Park’ this year. He stated that 1,214 cars went through on the two nights. They actually did a head count and there were 3,453 persons that viewed the displays. Reverend Parry stated that there were 58 people that worked the displays from 13 churches. Mr. Perry stated that the weather was very good this year. The goodwill offerings netted $3,200.00 and ½ of that was given to the food for the needy. There were 996 family food baskets delivered this year. Mr. Perry thanked the City for the use of the Park and stated that he is looking forward to next Christmas. This was the 4th year for the displays. Mayor Chesley stated that she is always happy to see how the community steps up when they see a need.
Mrs. Elvira Canzanella asked if the tax changes spoke about tonight would affect every property owner in Mt. Vernon. City Manager Ron Neibert explained that the taxes the City passed were the annual levy.
Mrs. Cindy Bevis or Bevis Realty thanked the City for putting her on the rental ordinance revisions and revamping. She stated that she still needs a couple of people to be on the committee. She stated that she hopes to have a meeting in January.
Mr. Rex Cusumano of the DMDC spoke regarding the book sale that they are having for a fundraiser. He stated that the sale would be at the Granada Theater in April. Mr. Cusumano stated that there are drop boxes located at several locations in town or if someone needs them to pick up their books they will.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.