City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

February 22, 2011

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rolland W. Lewis Building in Veterans Park.

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order and Reverend Brad Henson gave the invocation.  Reverend Henson also thanked the City crews for the great jobs that they have done this winter season on the streets in town.

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 February 7, 2011 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to approve the journal for the February 7, 2011 Regular Council Meeting as presented.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

The Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for February 2011 in the amount of $ 887,348.07 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for February 2011 in the amount of $ 887,348.07 as presented. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas; Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

BIDS AND QUOTES

 
CITY MANAGER

CITY ATTORNEY

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for first reading an Ordinance Rezoning Property located at 1717 Jefferson from Class R-M2 to Class R-3.  The petitioning party is Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity. Attorney Bob Shaw addressed Council to represent Habitat for Humanity. Mr. Shaw stated that Habitat is trying to acquire a certain piece of property located at 1717 Jefferson Street contingent to a rezoning.  He stated that the property now has two designations on this single property. A portion of it is already zoned R-3 but another part needs rezoned from a RM-2. This would allow a homeless shelter to be located at this address. Reverend Rob Dyer of the First Presbyterian Church spoke for the Lifeboat Alliance. He stated that Habitat has offered to renovate the property to be used as a Homeless Shelter.  The property is a former nursing home. The renovation will cost about $200,000.00.  Local roofers have offered to donate labor for a roof. The project has already raised $35,000.00. Volunteers have called in from other states to come in and work some of the labor. Lifeboat is fairly sure of their ability to raise $75,000.00 more funds. There is a chance that two other lots could be acquired.  Habitat will lease the property to Lifeboat for $1.00 a year.  They have however decided to move the entrance to the south side of the building rather than the current entrance on the north side. Reverend Dyer stated that 19% of the children in District 80 schools are classified as homeless, meaning that they live with other people than their parents. Also there are homeless people sleeping in cemeteries and any open buildings that they can find. As a matter of fact, there are people sleeping in this vacant nursing home now. The Housing Authority has list sometimes 3 to 4 years long.  The Rescue Mission is now limited to handling a few males a night. Hope Stuckey opens her home to people. The Jefferson County Ministerial Association has tried to help. These entities have now formed the Lifeboat Alliance.  There is a homeless shelter operating in Marion for the last 4 years named Lighthouse. Lifeboat is looking at their operations and trying to see how they operate and work. In the four years that they have operated, they have housed 1,700 residents, children, adults and veterans and they have had no problems with their residents.

Reverend Dyer spoke about the different meetings that the Lifeboat Alliance has had. He stated that there are many people wanting to be a part of this project.  He stated that they have looked at the operational budget of the Lighthouse in Marion to see about the operations and cost of running a project like this. Lifeboat Alliance is eager to partner with the City on this project and to enact a joint plan for this to be a success. Lifeboat Alliance is confident that they can make this happen and be successful.

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she knows that there were huge crowds at all of the Lifeboat meetings to support them. She stated that she is very familiar with Hope Stuckey and the work she is doing.

Council Member David Wood stated that he actually drove down to Marion to take a look at the Lighthouse building and check out the operations of the project. He stated that Lifeboat should be glad to model their project after the Marion house. He spoke about the security cameras and security of the buildings. Mr. Wood asked if he had heard that the Meals of Wheels were thinking about partnering with Lifeboat Alliance. Reverend Dyer stated that he spoke to a local doctor who is willing to donate tables and equipment and provide care for the homeless. It was Dr. David Asbury. There is a list of agencies, organizations and grants available for this project.

Council Member Piper asked if this building would house men, women and children.  Yes it would, but the families would be housed in separate areas and all doors and windows would be secured.  Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked about the referral process to get into the facility. Mr. Dyer stated that Lifeboat would be partnered with the local churches and agencies. There will be background checks and drug testing done in the screening process. People will be referred to an offsite location for the referrals. They will not do the intake screenings at the shelter. Council Member Wood asked about a telephone screening before they are sent to the off site screening. Mr. Gary Woods of the Marion Lighthouse stated that he has 28 years in law enforcement. He is the security and maintenance person at the Marion site. The pass through time is 3 days for singles and possibly 30 days or more to place a family and get them settled in. The three day stay is for transients; they can stay 3 days then give them a bus ticket to where they are going. Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked about the sustainability of the facility. Reverend Dyer stated that the churches together make a point to stay committed. He stated that the Marion house also works off of individual donations.

Ms. Debbie Richardson of Crossroads Hospital stated that Crossroads supports this project.  She stated that when they leave the hospital, many patients have no where to go. This would give them a temporary and short term place to stay. She stated this shows caring people caring for people.

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked if anyone wished to step forward and speak in opposition to this request. No one spoke.

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that since Council Members discussed the desire to go to Marion and check their facility this would be First Read on the Ordinance.

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Home Day Care for Property at 204 N. 4^th Street. The petitioning party is Annette J. Woodward

Hayes. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this item was passed at the Planning and Zoning Board Meeting and there were no objectors. Mrs. Woodward Hayes was present. She stated that she would like to put a Home Day Care in her home. She does not have her paper from the State yet, but she does have a letter stating that it has been approved for 2/4/11 Council Member David Wood asked if Mrs. Hayes had spoken to her neighbors. She stated that she had and there was no problem and there is another daycare a few houses down. Council Member Wood asked if her daughter was also waiting to be licensed.  Mrs. Woodward Hayes stated that no, but because she was 13 papers had to be filed with her information on them for the State. Council Member Piper asked if the City licensed Home Day Cares.  City Manager Neibert stated that we do not license them, the State of Illinois does. Council Member Piper asked to hold this and do a First Read so he could go by and look at the property. Council concurred.

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for Signage for Property at 4211 Broadway.  The petitioning party is Todd Ham Signs. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this would be an off-premise sign for Mr. Ham. There is an existing billboard at this location that Mr. Ham owns. He is asking for a modification to convert the sign that faces the east side be converted to an LED sign.  The Planning and Zoning Commission heard the request and recommended the request be granted if Mr. Ham complies to the City’s sign Ordinance and the copy not change but every 30 minutes and there be no moving or animation within the 30 minutes.

Mr. Hank Villiani, attorney for Todd Ham addressed Council. Mr. Villani stated that this is an existing sign that Mr. Ham owns. It is for east bound traffic on Broadway, located at 4211 Broadway. The sign complies with the sign Ordinance. The change is the LED display. A number of businesses have asked Mr. Ham about this type of signs. Some of them are Good Samaritan Hospital, Continental Tire and Cedarhurst.  It is an extremely professional looking sign and brings the signage into the new century. The sign is not a distraction to traffic. The display can be changed remotely. Mr. Villiani stated that this is a very expensive sign costing about $70,000.00. The State of Illinois allows this type of sign to change every 10 seconds. Council Member David Wood asked if the signage could be used in case of amber alerts.  Mr. Ham stated that yes they could be and he has contacted the persons that do this alert to put him on the list when the sign is up. The alerts would be up for 4 hours at a time. Council Member Wood asked when the sign Ordinance was last updated.  City Manager Neibert stated that it does need updating since the technology is changing. The City has some of this type of signs already as on premise signs and in a smaller sign. Mayor Chesley asked if the sign would be the same size. Mr. Ham stated that the size of sign would not change. Mr. Villani stated that the good thing was that a local businessman would be doing the work on this sign. Council decided to hold First Reading on this item.

Corporation Council Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a First Reading on an Ordinance Authorizing Annexation of Property Located at 11970 E. Caroline Road.  The petitioners are Jason and Julia Ohley. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is a general annexation to allow the petitioners water service. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper 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 David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2011-7, an Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 11970 E. Caroline Road for Jason and Julia Ohley.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Declaring Certain Items as Surplus.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the items are old computer items, Fire Department Lifepaks, Battery chargers and Difibrillators.   There are not enough items at this time to hold an auction so these items will just be sold to individuals that have expressed an interest. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan 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 Mary Burgan to Adopt Ordinance # 2011-8, an Ordinance Declaring Certain Items as Surplus. Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the Ordinance Regarding the Historic Preservation Commission. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this Ordinance adds two more members to the Commission. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper 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 Todd Piper to Adopt Ordinance # 2011-9, an Ordinance Amending the Ordinance Regarding the Historic Preservation Commission.  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 Agreement with St. Mary’s - Good Samaritan Hospital. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is a joint agreement with the hospital.  City Manager Ron Neibert introduced Mr. Mike Warren, President of the Good Samaritan Regional Health Center. Mr. Warren explained that this agreement will allow the hospital to buy medications at from 25 % to 50% off cost. He stated that last year Good Samaritan gave $14. million dollars in charity. This savings on drug costs will help them and benefit persons that are very low income. All the City has to do is enter into the agreement. Should Crossroads decide to do the same thing and the City can enter into an agreement with them also. Mr. Warren stated that the deadline for this is March 1, 2011. Centralia has also filed for this program.  Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked how the building project is going.  Mr. Warren stated that so far they have spent $41.9 million dollars and are about 24% done. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt the Resolution Approving an Agreement with St. Mary’s –Good Samaritan Hospital for this Agreement. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Abstain: Burgan.

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving a Memo of Understanding with the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System Regarding Use of One Special Response Vehicle. Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that this would give the City the Custody and Use of a Special Response vehicle.  He showed a picture of the vehicle to Council. This gives the department full access with no cost to the City.  We do have to maintain and insure the vehicle.  It will be used when the HRT vehicles go out. It is fully armored and a quarter of a million dollar piece of equipment. This is a part of the Homeland Security Grant through the ILEAS. Council Member Burgan asked where we would store something like this.  Chief Mendenall stated that it is currently stored at the airport. Council Member Piper asked how we got the vehicle.  Chief Mendenall stated that we are a member of the ILEAS Team and they place this type of equipment throughout the area. Mayor Chesley asked if it could be shared with another ILEAS Team member if they needed it. Chief Mendenall stated that it could be. It is in our control indefinitely. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Adopt the Resolution Approving a Memo of Understanding with the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System Regarding Use of One Special Response Vehicle. Second by Council Member Todd Piper. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Establishing a time and place for a Public Hearing to Consider a Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Project for the Proposed Industrial Park Conservation Area # 2. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this part of the statutory requirements to certify our second Industrial Park Conservation Area. The Public Hearing will be held on April 11, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Approve the Resolution Establishing a Time and Place for a Public Hearing to Consider a Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Project for the Proposed Industrial Park Conservation Area # 2. Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

MAYOR

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that due to the resignation of Mr. Jamie Van Zandt from the Mt. Vernon Tourism Advisory Board, she would like to offer for Council’s Advice and Consent the name of Ms. Jamie Wheeler to fill his position. Jamie is currently the Director of the Jefferson County Historical Society. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Mayor’s Appointment of Jamie Wheeler to the Mt. Vernon Tourism Advisory Board. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

Mayor Chesley reminded everyone that Wednesday, February 23 will be the bulk item pick up at the City’s maintenance building. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 12^th and Casey.

CITY COUNCIL

VISITORS/ CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

Mrs. Donna Fally, Treasurer of the Habitat for Humanity thanked the Mayor and Council for their consideration on the Lifeboat Alliance Project.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

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