Regular City Council Meeting
February 2, 2009
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, February 2, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order and Tammy Meyer gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.
The journal for the January 20, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journal for the January 20, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for February 2009 in the amount of $728,491.26 were presented to Council for consideration. Mayor Chesley asked if Council had any questions regarding the payments. None were heard. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for the February 2009 Accounts Payable in the amount of $728,491.26 as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids had been received for three new police vehicles. City Clerk Jackie Sharp stated that she had received three bids. The bids were given to Police Chief Chris Mendenall to open. He will report the results later in the meeting.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he had a visit from a gentleman from the FCC who asked him to remind people that if they are not on Cable TV or Satellite TV they will have no television with out a digital converter box after February 17 their television will go blank. Council Member David Wood asked if there wasn’t a month extension passed by the Senate to delay this action. City Manager Neibert stated that it had not passed yet, but it was going out for another vote. It needed a 2/3’s majority from Senate to pass. It is to go back for another vote soon.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for Signage and Benches at Hope Park. Park Director George Bryant addressed Council regarding this request. Mr. Bryant had given Council copies of the proposed changes at Hope Park. Mr. Bryant stated that Hope Park is dedicated to people with cancer. Council Member David Wood asked about financing for this project. Mr. Bryant stated that his request is for two benches and signage for the Park. The Schweinfurth Foundation had offered a grant and the Park applied and received $15,400.00 towards the project. The City had already put in $11,000.00. The total cost of the requested project will be $26,000.00. Mr. Bryant stated that this has become a real community project. He had enlisted the help of a couple of Master Gardeners to help in the planting of the flower beds and trees to enhance the Park. Mr. Rick Kirkpatrick helped with the designs for the Park project. There may be a place for possibly a small picnic table to be put on the property also. Council stated that it looks like a very nice addition to the Hope Park. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Grant the Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for Signage and Benches at Hope Park. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Seek Bids for a HVAC System for the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park. Park Director George Bryant spoke again regarding this request. Mr. Bryant stated that this would be a separate unit for the south end of the building. The south end of the building is for the offices and it is hard to keep the area warm or cool due to the size of the building. Council Member Shirilyn asked if this expense was in the budget. Mr. Bryant stated that it is. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Request for Permission to Seek Bids for a HVAC System for the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert introduced Ms. Mary Ellen Bechtel to give the Annual Report of the Jefferson County Development Corporation. Ms. Bechtel began by thanking the City Officials for their support and participation in the Jefferson County Development Corporation. She stated that they are in their third year of operation and are very appreciative of the great working relationship with the City. Ms. Bechtel identified eight goals for 2008-2009 and stated that to achieve these goals, their committee structure was redesigned creating eight committees. Ms. Bechtel stated that the board had prioritized their goals to expand their Retention and Expansion efforts as a high priority. The JCDC has done and will continue to do as much as possible to assist existing companies in their expansion and retention efforts. They currently have a CDAP Grant application for $750,000.00 submitted to the State of Illinois for the benefit of CTNA and a Rail Freight Program grant application submitted for a new rail spur for CTNA.
Ms. Bechtel stated that they are a part of an extensive database program for the purpose of managing retention programs. Ms. Bechtel stated that they are working on four expansion projects in various stages of development. Ms. Bechtel spoke regarding Workforce Development, Public Relations, Partner Development, Site Development, Retail Prospect Development and Industrial Development.
Ms. Bechtel stated that, in closing, Mt. Vernon has over $38 million in building permits representing some great projects. She stated that she still remains optimistic about development in Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County in 2009.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley thanked Ms. Bechtel for her optimistic report. Council Member Mike Walker asked if anyone interested could participate and sit on a committee or Board. Referring to the 49 partners, what does it take to be a partner? Ms. Bechtel stated that the partners have all given monetary contributions and there are also in kind partners. The table is also open to anyone to participate. Ms. Bechtel stated that anyone could be involved without donating. Council Member David Wood spoke regarding the persons involved and their terms. Mr. Wood stated that JCDC works independently. Council Member Mary Burgan thanked Mary Ellen for the report and the JCDC work. Council Member Shirilyn Holt stated that she wanted to express her thanks to the JCDC for the work they do with the high school and hope that some of this will keep the graduates here in Mt. Vernon for jobs.
Police Chief Chris Mendenall reported on the bids received for three new vehicles for the Police Department. Chief Mendenall stated that three bids had been received and they were as follows:
King City Chrysler – Mt. Vernon, IL Dodge Chargers $ 70,446.00
Ford Square – Mt. Vernon, IL Crown Victorias $ 67,200.00
Brown Chevrolet – St Louis, MO. Impalas $ 66,452.00 did not meet
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she would like to applaud the City workers for their hard work cleaning the snow from the streets and roads. She also thanked the citizens for their patience in waiting to get their streets cleaned off. It was a large snow and hard to clear off. It took a lot of work hours to get it cleared.
Mayor Chesley stated that she wanted to congratulate Saint Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital for receiving their Certificate of Need for the new hospital and offices that they want to build. This will be a great thing for the hospital and the City.
Mayor Chesley stated that the City has committed to two projects through Greater Egypt Planning Commission in the economic stimulus package. One project is the main sewer extension project from the East side of I-57 and under the Interstate to the new development area on the West side. Mayor Chesley stated that we are continuing to progress the additional finalized details on this project. Mayor Chesley asked City Manager Ron Neibert for an update. Mr. Neibert stated that the City will use only Local, State or Federal funding for the construction of the I-57 Interchange, Veterans Memorial Drive sewer extension West Project. The EPA requires that we reflect that no private funds will be used for this project.
Council Member Mike Walker asked about the Proposed Overpass Project for the East side Rail Road Crossings that had been studied and discussed a few year ago. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that it had been discussed and studied and as when the costs came in at over $20 million dollars it was kind of put on a back burner. Mr. Neibert stated that there were three ideas on the table but each one was as costly as the other. Council Member Walker stated that it is something that definitely needs to be researched on a health and safety issue. There has actually been times that lives were lost or in danger when response was thwarted by a train on the tracks. Council Member David Wood stated that in the Infrastructure Board meeting for the Comprehensive Plan this item was discussed. With the huge price tag, it will take a lot of money. A lot of State and Local and Federal money to accomplish this.
Council Member David Wood spoke regarding his going out and riding along with the Public Works employees during part of the snow removal. Mr. Wood stated that he also commend the City workers for their hard work and skills to remove the snow. Mr. Wood stated that he rode 3 or 4 hours. He stated that there were 5 trucks, four that were out and one in reserve. The three maintenance mechanics were repairing the vehicles as fast as they were going out. There was a lot of snow and the vehicles are very old. Mr. Wood stated that there is a need for a Snow Desk. A published number for the snowfall times that someone can be reached to talk to someone. Mr. Wood stated that he had gotten a lot of complaints regarding the length of time to clear the snow.
Council Member Mike Walker asked if some of the plowing could be subbed out to people that do this on their own to help out.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that there should be 9 trucks out plowing. He will check on this. Mr. Neibert also stated that the Public Works phone is used for a snow line, with the secretary fielding the calls.
Mayor Chesley stated that the Mayor’s office and Clerk’s office both received several calls also. These calls were reported to Public Works. It was such a large snowfall that one swipe down the center did not clear off all of the snow.
Mr. Bobby Farris addressed Council regarding Dawson Park and what the City may have in store for it. He specifically asked if there would be restrooms put in there. City Manager Ron Neibert referred this question to Parks Director George Bryant. Mr. Bryant stated that all of the Parks are being looked at so that when the budget process is started he will have suggestions and ideas for them.
Mr. Farris also asked about the repair of the streets this coming summer. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that each year the City looks at the revenue and what streets can be repaired. Mr. Farris stated that S. 23rd Street is getting bad. Mayor Chesley stated that the crews were out patching some potholes today with the new paving machine.
Mayor Chesley stated that she would like to mention that the Website is now up and working for the Comprehensive Plan Survey on the Mt. Vernon Website.
Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.