City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

Monday, March 15, 2010

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, March 15, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building in Veterans Park.

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order and Parks Director George Bryant 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 journal for the March 1, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for any additions, deletions or corrections. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked to hold the journal for the March 8, 2010 Recessed Council Special Council Meeting until after the meeting is finished tonight. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to approve the journal for the March 1, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting as presented.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. 

The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for March 2010 in the amount of $884,655.90 were presented for Council’s consideration.  Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked about the payments for High Range equipment that the City has made.  He asked if the City would be reimbursed for these payments.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the purchases were made like this was so the City would have first right. The City will be reimbursed for the equipment.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for March 2010 in the amount of $ 884,655.90 as presented. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

BIDS AND QUOTES

City Manager Ron Neibert reported that bids were taken for an HVAC System for the Rolland W. Lewis Building at Veterans Park.  Parks Director George Bryant reported that three bids were received.  The bids were as follows:

Hodges Heating and A/C – Mt. Vernon, IL                                  $ 7,800.00

Holloway Heating & A/C – Mt. Vernon, IL                                   $ 8,500.00

J & R Appliances – Mt. Vernon, IL                                                $ 8,695.00

Mr. Bryant reported that he had contacted the low bidder, Hodges Heating and A/C and Mr. Hodges stated that he would not be able to complete the work in the short time frame requested so he withdrew his bid.  Mr. Bryant recommended the acceptance of the next low bidder, Holloway Heating & A/C in the amount of  $8,500.00.  Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to accept the Low Bid of Holloway Heating & A/C in the amount of $8,500.00 for the HVAC System at the Rolland W. Lewis Building at Veterans Park.  Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Ron Neibert presented a Request for Authorization to Bypass the Formal Bidding Process to Purchase Two Equipment Items for the Police Department. Mr. Neibert stated that the items are of a covert nature so he did not want to disclose what they are, but he would let Council know. He stated that the items were budgeted items and were discussed at some of the budget meetings previously. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Grant Authorization to Bypass the Formal Bidding Process to Purchase Two Equipment Items for the Police Department. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Reallocation of Funds for the 2009/2010 Budget. The funds are to purchase a trained K-9 dog and canine supplies and materials. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to Approve the Requests for Reallocation of Funds for the 2009/2010 Budget as presented.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Surplus Disposal of Two Police Vehicles. A 2005 Chevrolet Impala will be donated to Rend Lake College Police and the 2004 Ford Crown Victoria will go to Broadway Auto Body for parts to repair other police cars as needed. These are transfers without any compensation. Motion by Council Member David Wood 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 David Wood to Donate one of the vehicles to Rend Lake College Police and donate the other to Broadway Auto Parts for parts to repair other Police vehicles with Ordinance # 2010-10. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Approving an Amendment to the License Ordinance Regarding Fencing. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that this is amending the Liquor Ordinance for businesses out west that want to have patio dining. The current Ordinance states that it has to be a six-foot solid wood fence, some of the restaurants west of town would like to use 5 foot wrought iron fencing.  The Mayor stated that she drove to Marion and looked at a fence there and it is very attractive and would serve the purpose.  Mayor Chesley asked that this be a First Reading only.

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving the Engineering Agreement with Henry, Meisenheimer and Gende Regarding Davidson Avenue South and Veterans West.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this agreement would allow for the two new roads in 22 to 24 months. Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked what the cost of this project would be. This is the Preliminary Engineering Service Agreement for MFT Funds. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is a Capitol Development Project. The City will pay and IDOT will reimburse in 30 to 60 days. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked if the sewer extension was on schedule for this area.  City Manager Neibert stated that it is.  Council Member David Wood stated that it is his pleasure to make this Motion to Adopt the Resolution Approving Engineering Agreement with HMG Regarding Davidson Avenue South and Veterans West. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

MAYOR

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that the Veterans in Jefferson County, in Woodlawn, the Airport and other entities are working on a “Veterans Wall of Fame” to be displayed at the Mt. Vernon Airport.  They are asking for information and photos of veterans of all conflicts so they can display them in the main terminal. She stated that anyone interested could contact Chris Collins at the Airport.

Mayor Chesley stated that she had received her Census 2010 survey. She stated that it is a simple 10 questions or so and she hopes everyone answers the survey and sends them back in.  The Census is to count the people that live in Mt. Vernon and Jefferson County and a lot of our resources from the State and Federal Funds are based on the number of residents in town.  The schools, government and a lot of other things depend on the Census survey.  Council Member David Wood stated that when the Census numbers are turned in and counted, that is the numbers that are used for grants and many other funds. He stated that it is very important to answer this survey.

CITY COUNCIL

Council Member Todd Piper stated that with the warmer weather approaching, he wanted to remind drivers to be cautious of children playing near schools and the Park and their yards. They could run out in front of vehicles. Also he wanted everyone to be aware of motorcycles.  Council Member Piper also stated that he wanted to thank Dale’s Harley Davidson for the programs they put on over the weekend.  They had Bigfoot there and there were a lot of families that came out to see it.

VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

City Manager Ron Neibert introduced Mr. Paul Carlson of IDOC and Terry Deniel.  They are here to report on a program that was held in February with District 5 Parole Supervision for IDOC.  Mr. Carlson stated that he works with the bottom 24 counties in Illinois. They held a day long seminar for persons on parole and persons recently released from incarceration to try to acclimate them to the workforce and help them adjust to job interviews and things that they may need in their lives.  Mr. Carlson stated that there were HIV tests given to many of the attendees, H1N1 shots were given, ID cards were made up, vision tests, mock job interviews, drug tests and counseling, applications through Manpower, This meeting was like a Summit of Hope for many of these people.  They were questioned and counseled on buying food, paying utilities, paying rent and buying clothes. Mr. Carlson stated that many of these people have had no high school education or no GED education and many of them said that they would like to continue on and go to college to get some education. Mr. Carlson and Ms. Deniel both stated that this was a very successful meeting and they are scheduling meetings for many other areas in Illinois.

 Mr. Dante Moore of Mt. Vernon addressed Council regarding the shootings over the last weekend.  He said that Mt. Vernon does not need this kind of action. Mr. Moore stated that his sister’s house was one that was shot up and she has three small children.  If they had not ran to the back of the house, they would have been shot.  Mr. Moore stated that we need more Police presence in these areas. He suggested a foot patrol. Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that we are 2 men short on the department and they have 4 off on light duty, so he does not have the force to do any more than they are doing now with the regular patrols. They are doing what they can.

Mr. John Kovalsky of the American Legion Club #141 addressed Council regarding the Memorial Day Presentation that they do annually on the square.  He would like permission to close certain streets for 45 minutes or so for the ceremony.  Mayor Chesley told Mr. Kovalsky to let the City Manager know what streets he is talking about.

Mr. James Harris addressed Council regarding the lane markings on many of the City streets.  They are old and faded and cannot be seen. He would like to see them repainted so they will show up better.  Mayor Chesley stated that this is being worked on now, but with the bad weather in the winter, it could not be done until warmer weather.

City Council Member Todd Piper stated that the street signs also need repaired and painted so that they can be seen easier.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

ADJOURNMENT

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

Council will stay to resume the recessed Special City Council Meeting of March 8, 2010.