Regular City Council Meeting
March 16, 2009
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, March 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order and Reverend Randy Sims of Christian Fellowship Church 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 journals for the following Executive Sessions were presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. February 4, 2008, April 21, 2008, July 7, 2008, July 21, 2008 and August 18, 2008. Mayor Chesley requested to hold the journal for the Regular City Council Meeting of March 2, 2009. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the Executive Session journals for February 4, 2008, April 21, 2008, July 7, 2008, July 21, 2008 and August 18, 2008 as presented and hold the March 2, 2009 Regular Session journals as requested. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for March 2009 in the amount of $950,993.86 were presented for Council’s consideration. Mayor Chesley asked if Council had any questions or concerns regarding the Consolidated Vouchers. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for March 2009 in the amount of $950,993.86 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert introduced Derrick Quitsch to give a presentation regarding the City Wide Clean Up. Mr. Quitsch stated that the day for the Annual City Wide Clean Up this year has been set for May 2, 2009. It will begin at 8:00 a.m. at Veterans Park and anyone interested in having a team or being on a team needs to contact him at City Hall. Mr. Quitsch stated that last year there were 700 people involved and that was a record number of participants. He is hoping to have more this year. Mr. Quitsch stated that the theme for this year is “Stride with Pride”. He introduced Ms. Mercedes Peacock as the winner of the contest to design the shirts for this year’s participants. Ms. Peacock stated that the color she has picked for this year’s shirts are green and blue because that is the color of nature. Clean and green. Mr. Quitsch stated that sponsors are still needed to help in the clean up.
Mr. Quitsch stated that the City Pickup, where anything can be put out would be held on the week of April 27 to May 1, 2009. This is the week to set things out with your trash, on your normal trash day. They will not pick up tires, construction material or hazardous materials.
Mr. Quitsch spoke regarding the Harvest Festival. It will be October 10 through the 18, 2009. He stated that the King City Bar B Que would be a part of the Harvest Festival this year. Mr. Quitsch stated that he hopes this year’s Harvest Festival will be bigger and better than last year, as that was the first year for it. Mr. Quitsch stated that he is also working with Mr. Collins at the airport about tying in the Fly In with the Harvest Festival and possibly a 4X4 contest. Mr. Quitsch stated that the theme of this year’s festival is “ Remember 9-11”. It will salute the police, fire and rescue personnel.
Mr. Dick Jones addressed Council saying that he is tying his Diabetes Walk in with the Harvest Festival this year and that he is happy to be working with Derrick Quitsch on the plans this year. He stated that Derrick is a real hard worker on both the Harvest Festival and the City Wide Clean Up Day.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 1026 Newby from Class I-1 to Class RM2. The petitioning party is Corinthian Baptist Church. Reverend Ron Lash and Mr. Cleo Holt were present to address Council regarding this request. Reverend Lash stated that the church would like very much to build a new church on the same location as the old church, and then tear down the old building. Mr. Cleo Holt passed out pictures of the proposed new building. The property has been donated to the church. Mr. Lash spoke regarding how old the
current church building is and some of the problems they are having. He stated that many of the elderly parishioners cannot manage the steps up into the church and the steps down to the classrooms and the kitchen area. The new building will be on one level. Council Member David Wood asked if the church would still be able to hold services while they build. Reverend Lash stated that yes, they would. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he recommends that Council Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance and pass this request. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Abstain: Holt. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-05, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 1026 Newby from Class I-1 to Class RM2 for petitioning party Corinthian Baptist Church. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Abstain: Holt.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Church for Property Located at 1026 Newby. The petitioning party is Corinthian Baptist Church. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this Ordinance goes along with the previous one and allows the property to be used as a church. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Abstain: Holt. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-06, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for Property Located at 1026 Newby for Corinthian Baptist Church. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Abstain: Holt. Council Members all congratulated the Reverend and Mr. Holt and stated that they were glad to see this happen.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Taxable Allowances as IMRF Earnings. City Manager Ron Neibert asked that this item be tabled until the next meeting. He stated that it does not have to be passed immediately. Council concurred.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Requesting IDOT Approval for Temporary Closure of IL 15 Westbound from Marlow Road (FAS 789) to Junction of IL 15 & Old Rt. 15 at the East Edge of Mt. Vernon for the Purpose of the “Salute to Freedom” Fireworks Display on July 4th, 2009. This is an annual request. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Resolution Requesting IDOT Approval for the Temporary Closure of the Roads for the “Annual Salute to Freedom” on July 4th, 2009. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding the Senior Saints event that will be held at Veterans Park on Saturday. It will be to dedicate the photos of all of the Senior Saints. Mayor Chesley encouraged everyone to attend and honor the Senior Saints.
Council Member Mary Burgan spoke regarding the Comprehensive Surveys that were received and the information that was compiled from them. Council Member Burgan stated that she had just received her copies of the compilations and was disappointed that they were so long in coming to Council. There was an e-mail of the summary that Council received today after she had called Ryan to see why it took so long to get the results. Council Member Wood stated that he has had his for 3 or 4 weeks and that they were available at a Steering Committee Meeting then.
Council Member David Wood asked if the next Steering Committee Meeting was still scheduled for March 25th at 4:00 p.m. Mayor Chesley stated that it was still scheduled, but the meeting had been moved to the Muny West Building.
Council Member Mary Burgan stated that the next City Council meeting would be during Spring Break for school and she would not be at the meeting. She stated that she did not think that Council Member Holt would be there either. Council Member Holt stated that she would be in attendance since Mrs. Burgan would not be.
Council Member Mike Walker stated that he wanted to congratulate the Woodlawn Cardinals Basketball Team for their 2nd Place win in the State Tournament. Council Member Walker stated that theirs was a very good team this year.
Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.