The Mt. Vernon City Council met for a Public Hearing on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 6:45 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Public Hearing to order and stated that tonight’s Public Hearing is for Review and Discussion Regarding the Bicycle and Walking Trail Route being Proposed for Development on Right-of-Way and Easement in Mt. Vernon.
Mayor Chesley called Mrs. Bonnie Jerdon to address Council and the Public to explain this proposal.
Mrs. Jerdon stated that this Public Hearing is a preliminary to the application for a $200,000.00 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. The grant application is due in on March 1st 2008, so there is some urgency to this request. Mrs. Jerdon stated that this is an equal match grant of either in-kind services or cash. This trail will be called the Cedarhurst Trail and it will be 8-foot asphalt on Public Right-of-Way with easements. The Trail will run along the east side of 27th Street near the Historical Village, go past Cedarhurst Center for the Arts to Richview Road to 24th Street near the Methodist Childrens Home then to Lake Street and Pavey then by the reservoir to Jefferson Street then to Main Street to 16th Street and 18th near the Jr. High School to Casey Street. Mrs. Jerdon introduced Mr. George Bryant the Parks Director to give more information regarding the trail. Mr. Bryant stated that he had some information regarding trails. Mr. Bryant stated that trails for bicycles, walking and jogging are the #1 activities in most parks. The highest use of the Veterans Park is the walking path now. Trails are safe places to walk or ride bicycles and safe for children.
Council Member Shirilyn Holt asked if the project would be done in Phases. Mrs. Jerdon stated that yes, there would be Phases. This is the First Phase of the project. This phase will be 2 1/4 miles long and should take approximately 3 months to get done if the contractor is aggressive and weather permits.
Mrs. Sharon Bradham of the Mitchell Museum stated that she is very pleased to have this project beginning and will be thrilled when the entire project is finished. She stated that she felt this would be very good for the community.
Mrs. Lisa Jones spoke as the Director of Southern Illinois Trail System. Mrs. Jones stated that she and her husband Cort really use bicycle trails and go many places to ride for a few days at a time. Mrs. Jones stated that she is very excited to see this project going out for a grant and can’t wait until the trail is finished.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she thinks this is a wonderful activity and a wonderful project and the trail will go by two schools and many other fascinating places.
Mrs. Jerdon asked everyone to pick up a sheet in the back of the room for comments or questions on the project and return them to her tonight.
Hearing no other comments, Mayor Chesley closed the Public Hearing at 6:55 p.m.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular City Council Meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
The invocation was given by Reverend David Eadie of First United Methodist Church.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan and Council Member Mike Walker.
The journal for the February 4, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Journal for the February 4, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Walker.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for February 2008 in the amount of $861,447.01 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for February 2008 in the amount of $ 861,447.01 as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Walker.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that at this time Bonnie Jerdon of the Tourism Department would present the Proposal Results for the Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display. Mrs. Jerdon stated that three proposals were received and opened on Tuesday, February 12, 2008. Mrs. Jerdon stated that one of the Proposals did not come in until a day or so late. Said proposal was stamped with the date and time received by the City. This proposal was not considered due to being late. Mrs. Jerdon stated that the amount of money to be expended for this is the same as last year or two, $20,000.00. So what the companies do is send a list of the amount of shells and sizes to be used for this amount of money. The proposals were as follows:
S & N Fireworks of Lincoln, IL and J & M Fireworks from Iowa. Mrs. Jerdon stated that she compared number of shells and size of shells used and she recommends the proposal from S & N Fireworks to be the better of the two proposals. S & N has done the shows for the last couple of years and they have always been very good shows with the music and all. There will be no rain date. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Proposal from S & N Fireworks for the Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Walker.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Seek Bids for Trash Service. Mr. Neibert stated that this is trash pick-up only and does not include recycling that will be looked at later. Council Member David Wood asked if the bidders would be told that the recycling would come later. Mr. Neibert stated that the bid sheets would make it clear that we would likely seek a recycling bid later. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Grant the Request for Permission to Seek Bids for Trash Service. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Walker.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 648 Fairfield Road. Mr. Leggans stated that this is a lot that is surrounded by property that is already inside the City limits. The owners thought that this piece of property was already in until they checked with the County and the County showed it as out, but the
City showed it in. So basically this is an oversight from some time ago. Mr. Leggans stated that this can only be a First Reading as the notices have been mailed out, but there is still time as they have to be out a certain number of days before the Annexation is passed. This should be ok to pass on the March 3 Council Meeting. First Reading was held.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Establishing a Tax Increment Financing Advisory Board. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is the final Resolution for this TIF Advisory Board. It needed some tweaking and rewording. The Resolution calls for a six-member board. 5 members appointed by the Mayor with advice and consent of Council and one City Council Member acting as an Ex-officio member. The Council Member would not have a vote. Mayor Chesley stated that with the upcoming Comprehensive Plan for the City, this Board needs to be up and running soon. Council Member David Wood asked how this Board would work. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that a project and justification are submitted to the Board. Council Member David Wood stated that this Board is going to be very important. Mr. Wood stated that this Resolution was revised to include a Council Member, each Council Member will serve one quarter on the Board per year. Mr. Wood also stated that he is glad to see the attendance clause in the Resolution. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt the Resolution Establishing a Tax Increment Financing Advisory Board. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Walker.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Requesting Permission to Seek Grant Funds from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources ( IDNR) for Bicycle and Walking Trails. City Manager Ron Neibert asked Tourism Director Bonnie Jerdon to speak again on this Resolution. Mrs. Jerdon stated that this is the item discussed earlier regarding applying for a $200,000.00 IDNR Grant to be matched equally by the City for the Cedarhurst Trail. Mrs. Jerdon stated that all of the feedback that has been received has been very positive. Everyone feels that the trails will be a great asset to the City. George Bryant, Parks Director has had experience with trails in other cities. Council Member David Wood stated that this shows that we can all work together and get things done. Mr. Wood asked if the funds are in this year budget or next years. Mr. Neibert stated that the funds would be in next years budget. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Resolution Requesting Permission to Seek Grant Funds from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources ( IDNR) for Bicycle and Walking Trails. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Walker.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Water Rate Increases to Multiple Customers. City Manager
Ron Neibert stated that this is the rate increase that is being passed along to the City by Rend Lake Conservancy District. They increase rates every 5-years. The City therefore needs to raise the rates to the Villages that it supplies water to. The rate increase is the same amount that RLCD passes on to Mt. Vernon. We are required to pass along the rate increase to large users of 300,000 gallons a
month. Council Member Wood asked if the villages would then pass along the increases to their customers. City Manager Neibert stated that it would be up to the villages because we have no idea of their financial standings. Council Member David Wood asked if the City is anticipating raises to our residential customers. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that we are not sure yet. Mayor Chesley stated that this is a raise by RLCD. They voted to do this. Mayor Chesley stated that the two members of RLCD Board that voted NO on this issue are present tonight Mr. James Rippy and Mr. Jere Shaw. Mayor Chesley asked if anyone had questions of them. None were heard. Mayor Chesley thanked the two for their endeavor to hold back this increase. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution Approving a Water Rate Increase to Municipal Customers, Villages and Large Users. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Walker.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she had some appointments and re-appointments to make at this time. Mayor Chesley stated that she would like to re-appoint Mr. Robert Brown to the Fire and Police Commission with the advice and consent of Council. Mr. Brown has served on this Commission for several years and when contacted stated that yes he would like to continue to serve. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Mayors Re-appointment of Mr. Robert Brown to the Fire and Police Commission. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Walker.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley presented for Council’s advice and consent the Reappointment of Linda Short to the Historic Preservation Commission. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Mayor’s Reappointment of Linda Short to the Historic Preservation Commission. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Walker.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley presented for Council’s advice and consent the names of Larry Griffin and Robert Herr to fill the vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Commission. The vacancies were created when Ish Kennedy and Tab Kelley chose to resign from the Board. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Appointments of Larry Griffin and Robert Herr to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Walker.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that there would be a Workshop Meeting held next week for discussion of the Comprehensive Plan for the City. A date will be announced later this week.
Council Member David Wood spoke regarding the political signs in the City. Mr. Wood stated that since the Primary Election is over, the signs should be removed but are not. Mr. Wood stated that he would like to see an Ordinance regulating political signs as far as size, locations and number of signs. Mr. Wood stated that there were so many signs in the right-of-ways and on public properties that it looked bad for anyone coming in to the City. We have regulations for business signs, so we need to have regulations for these signs. Mr. Wood stated that he would like to see something saying that all signs must be removed within three days after the election, and possibly not be able to post until 60 days or so before an election. Council Member Wood asked if this could be looked into. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he would check into the request. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she would also like to see something done regarding rummage sale signs that are posted on power poles and City stop signs and street signs. She stated that they are not taken down after the sales and should not be put on the sign poles or light poles at all.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Council Member David Wood to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Holt. Yeas: Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Walker.