City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

February 1, 2010

 

 

 

 

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, February 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order. Reverend Travis Perry of the Bonnie and Ina United 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 Todd Piper, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.

 

The journal for the January 19, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for any additions, corrections, or deletions. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to approve the journal for the January 19, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting as presented.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

The Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable February 2010 in the amount of $404,513.22 were presented for Council’s consideration.  Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for February 2010 in the amount of $404,513.22 as presented.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

BIDS AND QUOTES

 

CITY MANAGER

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request to Seek Bids for Demolition of Five (5) Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Grant Permission to Seek Bids for

 

 

the Demolition of Five Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Seek Bids for the Demolition of a Building at 300 S. 10th Street, the former Stewart’s Exhaust.  Council Member Todd Piper asked if the City would own the property after the demolition. City Manager Neibert stated that we could if we wanted the property. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Request for Permission to Seek Bids for the Demolition of a Building at 300 S. 10th Street, the former Stewart’s Exhaust. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Reallocation of Funds for the 2009/2010 Budget. Mr. Neibert stated that there were three requests with an overall net effect to the Working Fund Balance of 0 decrease. The funds are from seizures in the Police Department and a donation to the Park Department. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Reallocation of Funds for the 2009/2010 Budget as Presented.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he wanted to remind everyone about the Public Hearing that will be held at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, before the next City Council Meeting.  The Public Hearing is for information regarding the annexations of properties owned by Barnard and Frost Hills, Inc. near the Interchange. The annexations will be on the agenda for the February 16, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert reported that the City has applied for a $1.1 million dollar low-interest loan from the Illinois EPA to extend the sewer lines into areas opened for development by the new overpass/interchange. The loan will pay the entire cost of the project and the City will not be reimbursed for any of the costs.

 

CITY ATTORNEY

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 4700 W. Broadway.  The petitioning party is Roger Campbell. Mr. Campbell addressed Council and said that he had some people interested in purchasing this property. The property is W of the Pilot Truck Stop and is surrounded by City property. He stated that it is unimproved ROW.  He had petitioned the Township to vacate a 40’ wide roadway that is not used.  The Township Road Commissioner said no, that once it is a road; it’s always a road.  Mr. Campbell stated that he would like to have this property annexed into the City then he would later petition to have the roadway vacated by the City. Council Member David Wood asked about the Township saying no to the vacation of the road.  Mr. Campbell stated that there was no opposition to the annexation at the Public Hearing. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he would recommend the suspension for this annexation. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance.  Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2010-2, an Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 4700 W. Broadway for Petitioner Roger Campbell.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented the First Reading of an Ordinance Declaring Surplus Property. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the surplus property is 6 of the old light poles that were taken down in the downtown area.  The poles belong to DMDC. Cyndy Mitchell stated that they still have 20 more left, but they are using them until they get another grant to finish the downtown streetscape. Mr. Neibert stated that he recommends the suspension of the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance.  Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Adopt Ordinance # 2010-3, an Ordinance Declaring Surplus Property. Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. 

 

City Manager Ron Neibert reminded everyone of the DMDC collecting books for a book fair fundraiser to be held on April 16 & 17 at the Granada.

 

MAYOR

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley reported on her State of the City report that she gave on Friday. She stated that the report lets everyone know what is happening in the City and the City’s progress on projects. She stated that we are on the right track and are progressing.  The report will be on the website next week. Council Member Dennis McEnaney stated that he wanted to applaud the Mayor for giving this address and he feels it was very informative. Mayor Chesley stated that if there are any clubs or organizations that would like her to come present the report she is ready to travel with it.

 

Mayor Chesley reported on the Memorial Park Bench Program that will be available soon.  She stated that if anyone is interested to call George Bryant at the Park.

 

 

 

 

 

CITY COUNCIL

 

Council Member Mary Burgan stated that she also wanted to commend the Mayor on her presentation. She stated that it validated all of the hard work the Mayor and Council has done.

 

VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

Mr. Bobbie Farris addressed Council regarding the job well done at the Interchange/Overpass. He stated that he is very happy to see it all done and the progress. He too wants to say Yeah!

 

Mr. Dante Moore addressed Council stating that he had traveled out on west 42nd Street the other night and he stated that it was very hard to see the stop signs and that it was very dark.  He is afraid that this is a very dangerous location. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the State and IDOT decided what type of lighting and signs were needed there. Council Member David Wood stated that he agrees that it is very dark at the 42nd Street and Veterans Drive corner and more lights are needed. 

 

Mayor Chesley thanked Mr. Moore for his work with the Park Department for his ideas for ballgames and tournaments. Mr. Moore stated that he is trying to do work for the city kids.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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