Regular City Council Meeting
February 4, 2008
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, February 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Council Meeting to order. Reverend David Eadie of First Methodist Church gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Shirilyn Holt.
The Journal for the January 22, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to approve the Journal for the January 22, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker and Chesley. Abstain: Council Member David Wood abstained from the vote, as he was absent at the meeting. Absent: Holt.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for February 2008 in the amount of $ 1,430,958.53 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 $ 1,430,958.53 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Reallocation of Funds for the 2007/2008 Budget. Mr. Neibert stated that during the six-month Budget Review some items were found that needed to be adjusted. Mr. Neibert stated that the result to the General Corporate Fund would be to increase it by $411,310.00 and the Public Utilities Fund by $21,734.00. Some of the reason was the $160,000.00 street sweeper for Public Works that we were hoping to wait another full year on and overtime for the Fire Department due to scheduling. Council Member David Wood stated that this is just moving funds around and we are no worse off financially. Mr. Neibert stated that was correct. Council Member Mike Walker asked if Council hadn’t discussed leasing a street sweeper. Mr. Neibert stated that this was the case of a necessity. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Request for Reallocation of Funds for the 2007/2008 Budget as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert Requested an Executive Session be held following the Regular City Council Meeting Regarding the Purchase and Sale of Real Estate and Collective Bargaining. Council Member Mike Walker asked if Pending Litigation could be added to the Executive Session request also. Corporate Counsel Bill Howard stated that it could be added.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Nursing Home for Property at 1400 South 34th Street. The petitioning party is Mt. Vernon Memory Care, Inc. Mr. David Parker of Coldwell Bankers Real Estate was present to represent the owners of the property Mr. And Mrs. Dietzen. Mr. Parker stated that this Ordinance was held over from the last Council Meeting so all members of the Council would be able to consider it. Mr. Parker stated that Mr. Dietzen asked him to once again to speak of how glad they are that they are planning to build in Mt. Vernon rather than Effingham and how nice and friendly everyone had been to them during this process. Council Member David Wood stated that he was one of the Council Members that was not impressed with the application for this project as it didn’t seem to be complete and informative. However he stated that all of his questions had been answered before this meeting with the maps, drawings and plans for the building. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2008-02, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Nursing Home for Property at 1400 South 34th Street for Petitioning Party Mt. Vernon Memory Care, Inc. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration The Second Reading of an Ordinance Amending Article 16A Fats, Oils, Greases and Other Substances Sewer Odor Control Ordinance. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this Amendment changes the minimum requirement of the size of the grease traps. Mr. Neibert spoke regarding the EPA formula for determining the size required. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that several business people had inquired regarding this issue so Council discussed it and this is the result. Council Member Mike Walker asked if gas stations have to have oil separators to also keep the oil and gas from going into the sewers. City Manager Neibert stated that he would check into this and report back as to what is required but he believes it is covered in the State Plumbing Code. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Adopt Ordinance # 2008-3, an Ordinance Amending Article 16A Fats, Oils, Greases and Other Substances Sewer Control. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Establishing a Tax Increment Financing Advisory Board. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked that this item be removed from the agenda at this time to be presented again at the next Regular City Council Meeting.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving a Pro Rata Agreement. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is an agreement between the City of Mt. Vernon and Bonan Brother’s Property, LLC. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is an Agreement for Pro Rata Sewer Reimbursement. The Bonan’s paid $ 75,000.00 to run the sewer for their property on South 42nd Street. This agreement will require anyone wanting to tap onto this line to pay Pro Rata fees which will be 64% to Bonan’s and 36% to the City. The agreement is for a period of 15 years. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Resolution Approving a Pro Rata Agreement for Sewer Lines with Bonan Brother’s Property, LLC and the City of Mt. Vernon. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Regarding the Illinois Main Street Letter of Agreement. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is an Annual Agreement for the Illinois Main Street Program required by the Downtown Mt. Vernon Development Commission. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution Regarding the Illinois Main Street Letter of Agreement for Downtown Mt. Vernon Development Commission as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution of Support Regarding Amtrak Service. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley read the Resolution encouraging Amtrak to continue to offer service from Centralia to Chicago and the hardship it would cause if it were discontinued. Mayor Chesley stated that she has written Senators, Congressmen and Representatives urging them to act on this. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Resolution of Support Regarding Amtrak Service. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
MAYOR
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that under her portion of the meeting she would like to introduce Mr. John Kabat from the Mt. Vernon Township High School FFA Club. Mr. Kabat can in turn introduce the members of FFA that are with him. Mr. Kabat stated that the FFA Club wanted to be involved with the Comprehensive Plan for the City. Mr. Kabat stated that the FFA is a very diverse club representing 300 careers. Mr. Kabat introduced the members present and their year of school and position held. Mallory Adams spoke regarding FFA Week and their calendar for the month showing how busy the club is in any given month. Raina Jones spoke regarding the make up of the club; there are 184 Ag Students, 186 FFA Members, 23 out of school members, 41 female members and 145 male members. She stated that 31 members live on farms and 155 members do not live on farms. David Clifton, President of the club spoke regarding some of the over 280 activities that the club participates in annually. He stated that Mt. Vernon rates 11th Statewide. He also spoke regarding many awards the club received at the State FFA competition in 2007. Mayor Chesley stated that the list of awards was very impressive and so was the club. Mr. Kabat stated that out of 74,000 clubs the Mt. Vernon team ranks in the top 100 clubs annually.
CITY COUNCIL
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to go into Executive Session Regarding Purchase and Sale of Real Estate, Pending Litigation and Collective Bargaining. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.
ADJOURNMENT
Following the Executive Session at 8:35 p.m. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Holt.