City of Mt.
Vernon, Illinois
Regular City
Council Meeting
February 16,
2010
The Mt.
Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 in the
Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park at 7:00 p.m. following a
Public Hearing.
Mayor Mary
Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order. Corporation Counsel Reverend
Bill Howard 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 journals
for the February 1, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting and the February 8, 2010
City Council Workshop Meeting were presented to Council for any additions,
deletions or corrections. Motion by
Council Member Mary Burgan to approve the journals for the February 1, 2010
Regular City Council Meeting and the February 8, 2010 City Council Workshop
Meeting as presented. Second by
Council Member Dennis McEnaney.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
The
Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for February 2010 in the amount of
$930,916.61 were presented for Council’s consideration. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley
asked if Council had any questions or concerns involving the Consolidated
Vouchers. Council Member Todd Piper asked about item # 2, the Ameren IP bill.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that these charges are for street lighting.
Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked about item # 14 for Heneghan & Associates
for engineering services for North Davidson Avenue. City Manager Ron Neibert
stated that this charge is for the design engineering for North Davidson Avenue.
The project will go out for bid in March. Motion by Council Member David Wood to
approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for February 2010 in the
amount of $930,916.61 as presented.
Second by Council Member Todd Piper.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
BIDS AND
QUOTES
City Manager
Ron Neibert stated that bids for the annual fireworks display for the Fourth of
July Salute to Freedom had been received.
Mr. Neibert stated that three bids were received. The City spends
$20,000.each year for fireworks, so the bids are sent in as shells per amount.
The bids were as follows:
S & N
Fireworks
962 shells
Central
States Fireworks
1,155 shells
J & N
Fireworks
989 shells
Mr. Neibert
stated that each bid reflected the number of shells and sizes of shells, etc. He
recommended the acceptance of the bid for most shells by Central States for the
1,155 shells. Mr. Neibert stated that Bonnie Jerdon also recommended the bid of
Central States. Mr. Neibert stated that next year he is thinking about changing
the bid process to show cost per shells. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to
approve the Acceptance of the Bid from Central States for 1,155 shells for the
amount of $20,000.00 as presented for the Fourth of July Fireworks Display.
Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager
Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to
Seek Bids for the Following Capital Items: Brake Lathe, Transmission Jack and a
Truck Lift for the new maintenance building.
These items are in the budget and were discussed during the budget
meetings last year. Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked if the City ever
outsourced any vehicle or equipment repairs.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that only when the items are under
warranty. Mr. McEnaney asked how
many mechanics we have on duty.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that we have 5. Motion by Council Member David
Wood to Approve the Request for Permission to Seek Bids for the Capital Items:
Brake Lathe, Transmission Jack and a Truck Lift As Presented.
Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that if Council would go look at the old
building and equipment and then look at the new buildings, they would see that
this is a good move for the City.
City Manager
Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request to By Pass Formal
Bidding Process Regarding a Park Restroom Facility.
Parks Director George Bryant explained that this is a prefab facility and
it would be placed near the south end of the park lake near the women’s baseball
field. It is made of a concrete
cast and has been treated with anti-graffiti finish on the inside and outside
both. It has been modified to our specifications.
Mr. Bryant stated that this was in the budget and is a well-needed
addition to the park. If ordered
now it could be delivered at the end of April.
It would be a mens/womens facility both.
Mr. Bryant stated that a previous park he worked at used this type of
facility. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Request for
Permission to By Pass the Formal Bidding Process Regarding a Park Restroom
Facility. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
CITY
ATTORNEY
Corporation
Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of
an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Church for Property at 1700
Oakland. The petitioning party is Lively Stone Church. Mr. Alan and Mrs. Iris
Rudd addressed Council regarding this request.
They stated that they had sold their church to Ford Square and had
purchased the old Lincoln School property to use as a church. They stated that
they currently hold services there and also have open gym for the church members
and other activities at the building.
The Planning and Zoning Board approved the Conditional Use for the church
with no objectors. City Manager Ron Neibert asked Council to suspend the rules,
as this has been a while in the process. Council Member David Wood stated that
he is happy to see a church taking over this building and being able to use it.
He stated that he has stopped by recently to see what they are doing.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an
Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member
David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2010-04, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use
for a Church at 1700 Oakland Avenue. Petitioning Party Lively Stone Church.
Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation
Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First reading of
an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Property. City Manager Ron Neibert
stated that this is various equipment from the Police Department that is no
longer useful for them, or has been confiscated by them. The equipment is a lot
of computer equipment, printers, monitors, etc. 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 Todd Piper to Adopt Ordinance 2010-05, an Ordinance
Authorizing the Sale of Surplus Property. Second by Council Member David Wood.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation
Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration Resolutions Approving
Agreements to Annex with Leon Barnard, Shiloh Acres LLC, BMH Farms and Frosty
Hills, LLC. City Manager Ron Neibert explained that these are Annexations for
properties near the Interstate/Interchange that will help
in the
building of streets and infrastructure. As explained in the Public Hearing these
Annexations will benefit both the property owners and the City. This action will
cover all four (4) properties.
Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Resolutions Approving the
Agreements to annex with the four property owners. Second by Council Member
Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: Burgan,
McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation
Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving
an Engineering Agreement with Henry, Meisenheimer & Gende, Inc. Regarding
Replacement of Existing Times Square Elevated Water Tower. City Manager Ron
Neibert stated that this has been needed for several years. Council Member
Dennis McEnaney asked why this is necessary and the costs of the project.
City Manager Neibert stated that this tower was built in the late 60’s or
early 70’s and it is actually our newest tower. He stated that it has some
function issues and has not been able to be at full capacity. There are pressure
issues from this tower in the areas west. Council Member McEnaney asked if this
was part of the Comprehensive Plan and what are the plans and conditions of the
other towers. Council Member David Wood stated that this is our newest tower and
it is only able to be 2/3 full. He asked if the new tank would be located at the
same place. City Manager Neibert
stated that it is planned to be put at the same location, but that could change
with the study. The cost of this
project will be $ 1 ½ million dollars.
Council Member Wood stated that the fee increases that Council enacted
are going to pay for this project however; the City will pursue any grants or
monies that can be used for this project also. Mayor Chesley stated that this is
one more step towards the Westside growth. She again stated that the City would
proceed with any outside funding that they can procure for these projects.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution Approving the
Engineering Agreement with Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende, Inc. Regarding the
Replacement of the Existing Times Square Elevated Tank. Second by Council Member
Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney,
Piper, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation
Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving
an Engineering Agreement with Heneghan and Associates, P.C. Regarding South 34th
Street. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley
stated that this is another project that is in the Comprehensive Plan.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that 34th Street is very
dangerous and narrow in places and with the Parks and the new hospital to be
built in the area, more people are using this street. This project will improve
the streets, storm sewers and water issues and also add sidewalks. The project
will also line 34th Street up at Veterans Memorial Drive. The
estimated time for construction is in 2011. Right of Ways need to be acquired.
This is a $1.8 million dollar construction cost project.
Mayor Chesley stated that the funds will come from infrastructure Capital
Funds and we will also pursue any outside funding available. Council Member
David Wood stated that again the funds are there for this project. Mr. Wood
stated that there have been many complaints in this area of the storm sewer
problems and the flooding problems. Council Member Piper stated that the
hospital is meant to break ground in April and there are already doctor offices
in this area. This project will help the area a lot. Motion by Council Member
Dennis McEnaney to approve the Resolution Approving an Engineering Agreement
with Heneghan and Associates, P.C. Regarding S. 34th Street Project.
Second by Council Member David Wood.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
MAYOR
Mayor Mary
Jane Chesley stated that she would like to present a name for Council’s advice
and consent for the appointment to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations
Commission. She named Mr. Oscar
Brown to fill the vacancy of Jacque Ross who resigned from the Commission.
Mayor Chesley stated that Mr. Brown was born in Mt. Vernon, attended
school in Mt. Vernon, is employed in Mt. Vernon and attends Lively Stone Church.
Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve Mayor Chesley’s
recommendation to appoint Mr. Oscar Brown to the Minority Affairs and Human
Relations Commission. Second by Council Member David Wood.
Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.
CITY COUNCIL
Council
Member Dennis McEnaney spoke regarding animals running at large.
He stated that he gets calls regarding dogs running loose. Mr. McEnaney
asked for the Ordinance and the procedures of animal control.
What is a person supposed to do?
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that there is an Ordinance regarding dogs
running loose and the procedure is to call the Jefferson County Animal Control
to come out and pick up the animals.
Mr. McEnaney asked for the phone number.
City Clerk Jackie Sharp said the number is 244-8024.
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Ms. Barbara
Green addressed Council regarding the possibility of building a restroom at
Dawson Park. Ms. Green spoke regarding the loud music Ordinance.
She stated that in Sikeston, Mo. There are signs as you come into town
stating that they do not tolerate loud music in their town. She thinks Mt.
Vernon should do something like this because some people may not know that there
is an Ordinance against the music. Ms. Green asked about the dust from the
streets like Bell and Perkins. She
stated that her son has asthma and the dust bothers him.
City Manager Neibert stated that if it is on oil and chip streets, the
dust is temporary when chipped until it rains and settles. Council Member David
Wood stated that sometimes there is dust from where water lines have busted and
there are repairs done. The department fills the holes with rock and there may
be dust until the rock settles. Mr. Wood stated that hopefully the plans to
replace water and sewer mains will stop a lot of the digging up on the streets.
Ms. Rita
Watkins addressed Council regarding some rental property she has in the 600
block of Herbert Street. She stated
that there is a large ditch that runs near her property and it is always
flooding out. She stated that they
have tried to open up the tiles, but it does not help. City Manager Ron Neibert
stated that he would send someone down to look at the problem.
Mr. John
Moore addressed Council regarding vehicles that he had that were taken from his
carport. He stated that he was told by the State that he could sell seven cars a
year without getting a car dealer license.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that if the vehicles were not licensed
and in running order, they could be taken away as abandoned vehicles.
The State saying that he could sell 7 vehicles does not have anything to
do with abandoned vehicles.
EXECUTIVE
SESSION
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.