City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois
Regular City Council Meeting
December 7, 2009
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, December 7, 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 City Manager, Ron Neibert gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present:, Council Member Dennis McEnaney, Council Member Todd Piper, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.
The journals for the November 16, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting and the November 23, 2009 City Council Workshop Meeting were presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to adopt the journals for the November 16, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting and the November 23, 2009 City Council Workshop Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for December 2009 in the amount of $1,095,764.72 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for December 2009 in the amount of $1,095,764.72 as presented. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids had been received for Ammunition for the Police Department. The bids are as follows:
Moore Guns – Mt. Vernon, IL $13,937.19
Ray O’Herron – Danville, IL $ 9,280.00
Kiesler’s Police Supply – Jeffersonville, IN $ 9,451.80
Shore Galleries – Lincolnwood, IL $ 8,550.89
Mr. Neibert recommended that the low bid from Shore Galleries be accepted for this budgeted item. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the purchase of ammunition for the Police Department from the low bidder, Shore Galleries in the amount of $8,550.89. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that three bids have been received for Two Police Squad Cars. The bids are as follows:
Ford Square of Mt. Vernon $40,550.12
Vogler of Carbondale Illinois $43,056.00
Thomas Ford of Highland Indiana $42,914.00
Mr. Neibert recommended that the low bid of Ford Square of Mt. Vernon be accepted. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the Ford Square bid of $40,550.12 for the Two Police Squad Cars. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.
City Manager, Ron Neibert stated the two bid results for Re-Roofing the Downtown Mt. Vernon Development Building. Black Construction Company of Mt. Vernon $12,295.00 and Geissler Roofing Company of Belleville $26,247.00. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to approve the Re-Roofing of the Downtown Mt. Vernon Development Building by Black Construction Company of Mt. Vernon for $12,295.00. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Seek Bids for One Tree Chipper and One Fairway Aerator. He also presented a Request for Permission to Purchase One John Deere Model 4320 Tractor with Front Loader through State Bid Program and One John Deere Model 997 Zero Turn Mower through Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners Bid Program. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Request for Permission to Seek Bids for One Tree Chipper and One Fairway Aerator and Permission to Purchase One John Deere Model 4320 Tractor with Front Loader through State Bid Program and One John Deere Model 997 Zero Turn Mower through Illinois Association of County Board Members and Commissioners Bid Program. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Executive Session to follow the Regular Session to Discuss Sale of Real Estate.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second 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 is 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. Motion by City Council Member David Wood to adopt Ordinance #2009-39 Rezoning Property Located at 1208 Conger from Class RM2 to B2. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading on the Ordinance Establishing the Maximum Levy Rate for Special Service Area No. 1. City Manager, Ron Neibert stated that this is a required Ordinance since we are increasing the levy amount for the Special Service Area. This is authorizing the increase that will be implemented on the next Ordinance. In addition, there is a required Public Hearing that the City has to have because the City is increasing the levy to the maximum amount. That Public Hearing will be held prior to the next City Council Meeting. Mayor Chesley stated that this is First Reading Only on this item.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading on the Ordinance Authorizing the Tax Levy for the City. City Manager, Ron Neibert stated that this is the actual Levy that implements not only the Special Service Area, but also the other departments that we have regarding Pension Fund, City Retirement Fund and ESDA Funds. Mr. Neibert then stated that the Levy is the City’s Tax Levy and those funds will be received next September and October. They will be part of the City’s funding for the next fiscal year. We were able to keep the levy increase below the 5% level due to some reassignment of some dollars. Reassigning liabilities from the Public Utilities Fund for IMRF and Social Security Retirement from the tax levy to the actual Public Utilities operation. In addition we were at this point fortunate enough to have some excess funds left over in the IMRF Social Security levy funds in order to keep the levy amount below 5 percent. Council Member Wood stated that there were two accounts that we had realignments that there were issues with. There was a reserve built up so instead of raising taxes, we are using the reserve of $259,000.00 to cover expenses. Mr. Wood stated that over the last few years we have been realigning expenses that are out of the public utilities funds instead of taking them out of the general corporate funds so all water and sewer expenses are coming out of the public utilities funds. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that we are looking at possibly taking some of the liability insurance out of the public utilities fund for their portion of the payments that has before always come out of the general fund. We are doing an analysis to see the percentage of the payments would be correct. First Reading was held.
MAYOR
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley presented for Council’s advice and consent the name of City Manager Ron Neibert for reappointment to the 911 Board. Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked the number of members on the 911 Board and what their duties are. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that there are 8 members on the Board and they are representatives of the City and County and their duties are to review and decide on all activities regarding the 911 system. Motion by Council Member David Wood to reappoint Mr. Ron Neibert to the 911 Board as presented. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding the City Council Workshop Meeting on Monday, December 14, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. She stated that the agenda was for a presentation regarding the railroad crossings and cleaning up the City. Mayor Chesley stated that they always seem to find a lot of things to discuss at the Workshop Meetings that Council has and she appreciates Council having these meetings.
Mayor Chesley stated that by now everyone knows that the I-57 Interchange is open for all traffic. Mayor Chesley spoke about the stop sign at 42nd Street and Veterans Memorial Drive. She stated that people kept running this stop sign and it was very dangerous. A new sign with a light has been ordered to be put at this location soon.
Mayor Chesley spoke regarding the East Side and West Side TIFs. She stated that they are still on schedule.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding an upgrade on a water line that has been done recently. This line was along Blackberry Street and has been needing repair and replacement a long time. This is a part of our Comprehensive Plan.
Mayor Chesley spoke regarding the Fleet Maintenance Department moving from the 20th Street facility to the new facility on 12th Street. They have started the moving process today. The garage will move, however the offices will not be able to move until the gasoline and diesel pumps and storage can be moved. The Public Utilities and the Public Works Departments will also move to the new location.
Mayor Chesley spoke regarding the Christmas in the Park that will be held on the 18th and 19th of December. This is done by the area churches and always draws a large crowd of people to see the displays.
Council Member David Wood asked Mayor Chesley if there was a date and time for the legislative seminar she and County Chairman Ted Buck are planning. Mayor Chesley stated that the idea is to have speakers on hand to discuss current items of interest to the Cities and Counties. New legislation regarding the
‘Freedom of Information Act’ and other pertinent concerns. The new video poker and games legislation is also a concern. The 2010 Census is also a concern so we can get an accurate count this time.
CITY COUNCIL
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Glenn Littrell spoke regarding his use of blue Christmas lights in honor of the Police, Fire and all law enforcement agencies. He stated that he would like to see a lot more of this in the City. He thinks that this is a good gesture to show respect. Council Member Wood stated that he does this also.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Council Member David Wood to go into Executive Session as requested to discuss the Sale of Real Estate. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
ADJOURNMENT
Council returned to Regular Session at 7:50 p.m. Motion by Council Member David Wood to adjourn the Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.