City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

Monday, March 7, 2011

 

 

 

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, March 7, 2011, 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 Reverend Ron Lash of the Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church gave the Invocation.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

 

Roll call showed present: council Member Dennis McEnaney, Council Member Todd Piper, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.  Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.

 

The Journals for the February 17, 2011 City Council Workshop Meeting, the  February 22, 2011 Regular City Council Meeting and the March 1, 2011 Special City Council Meeting were presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the journals as presented.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan.

 

The Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for March 2011 in the amount of $ 398,260.74 were presented for Council’s consideration. Mayor Chesley asked if Council had any questions regarding the payables.  Council Member Dennis McEnaney questioned item # 6 as to the status of the two projects involved. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that there were changes to the one project so this is the charges for the final design. The other is the ITEP target engineering and should finish in 3 months. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for March 2011 in the amount of $ 398,260.74 as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan.

 

BIDS AND QUOTES

 

City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids were received and opened on March 4, 2011. Mr. Neibert stated that at this time Council would like to defer until the  Special City Council Meeting on Monday, March 14 to have time to go over the bids and compare all of the information. Council concurred.

 

CITY MANAGER

 

City Manager Ron Neibert introduced Scot Prindiville, the new City Engineer.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented Police Chief Chris Mendenall to present the Officer of the Year Award for the Police Department. Chief Mendenall presented the Officer of the Year Ray Gilbert and gave him a plaque. He stated that Officer Gilbert has worked with the DARE Program, District 80 and the High School, he is the Departments PR Officer, is very good at Grant Writing and Crime Watch. Officer Gilbert thanked the Department for this honor.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert spoke regarding A Request for Reallocation of Funds for the 2010/2011 Budget. One was for the Police Department for an increase in their budgeted revenues and expenditures related to reimbursements from the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System for overtime. This item has no effect to the Working Fund Balance.  The other item was for the Tourism Department and was an increase to budgeted expenditures for replacement of flooring in the small conference room due to water damage. This was a $2,800.00 increase to the Working Fund Balance. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the two Requests for Reallocation of Funds for the 2010/2011 Budget as presented.  Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented a Request for Permission to Seek Bids for the Demolition of Dangerous and Dilapidated Houses.  He stated that there were 9 structures in need of demolition. Council Member David Wood asked if this would expend our funds for the demolitions for this year. City Manager Neibert stated that it would. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Grant Permission to Seek Bids for Demolition of Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan.

 

CITY ATTORNEY

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Second Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 1717 Jefferson from Class R-M2 to R-3. The Petitioning Party is Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity. Attorney Bob Shaw addressed Council stating that he was Counsel for Habitat. He stated that there had been some language by the City Manager and City Attorney to define the use of the building. He stated that he is very hopeful that a solution can be made in the language needed. This would define the perimeters of the use of the building for Lifeboat and any other projects of this type in the City. Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked to make a comment.  He stated that he appreciated all of the work that has been done on this project. Especially the meeting with Reverend Dyer and Mr. Brown last week. He stated that the outcry of support for this project is amazing to see. He thanked everyone for all of their efforts. Mayor Chesley stated that anytime there is a need in the City people step in to help. She stated that this is a new adventure and Council wants to do it right the first time. She stated that Council would like to take time to go over the facts and then decide. She stated that Lifeboat, Habitat for Humanity will go back to the Planning & Zoning Board next week, and then come back to Council meeting on March 21, 2011. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney for Habitat to go back to the Planning and Zoning Board next week, then back to the Council Meeting on March 21, 2011. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan.

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Home Day Care for Property at 204 N. 4th Street. The petitioner is Annette J. Woodward Hayes. Ms. Hayes was present to answer any questions that Council may have. Mayor Chesley asked Ms. Hayes if she had received her actual license yet.  Ms. Hayes stated that they had been faxed to City Hall today. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he had received a fax of the license today and that they were good for three years. The letter states that she may not begin day care until she receives the actual license in the mail.  Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to Approve the Conditional Use of a Home Day Care for Ms. Annette Hayes at 204 N 4th Street with Ordinance # 2011-10. Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan.

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Granting a Conditional Use for Signage for Property at 4211 Broadway.  The Petitioning Party is Todd Ham Sign Inc. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is for a large billboard sign located at 4211 Broadway. Mr. Ham already owns the billboard located on the property and he would like to convert it to an LED Display ad sign.  This type of sign is very expensive and he would sell

slots of advertising on the sign that would change face every 30 minutes. This is a very attractive sign. Mayor Chesley stated that at the last Council Meeting Mr. Ham stated that the sign could be used for Public Service Ads such as Amber Alerts, etc. Mayor Chesley asked about the brightness of the sign. It had been said at the last meeting that the brightness would be controlled automatically or he could adjust it from his monitor at home. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution to Grant a Conditional Use for Signage for Property Located at 4211 Broadway for Petitioner T. Ham Sign, Inc. second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.  Council Member Dennis McEnaney stated that as discussed last Council Meeting the Council needs to look at the Sign Ordinance. 

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Reclassifying Certain Public Utilities and Sanitation Accounts for Accounting Purpose. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is an annual item on the budget and just because we are reclassifying them off, we will still continue to collect the fees. The Billing Service Department monitors the accounts to try to collect at all times. Council Member McEnaney asked City Manager to look into some of the very high ones or the business accounts listed.

Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Approve the Resolution Reclassifying Certain Public Utilities and Sanitation Accounts for Accounting Purposes. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan.

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing the Application for Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds. Police Chief Mendenall stated that these funds are a 25% match Grant and can be used for a new squad car. He stated that our department always needs replacement cars. This is a Grant from the Federal Government through the State of Illinois. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution Authorizing an Application for Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Funds.

Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan.

 

MAYOR

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley reminded everyone that they can now burn leaves beginning March 1, 2011 until April 30, 2011.  She also stated that the trash people would begin yard waste beginning March 15, 2011.

 

CITY COUNCIL

 

VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

Ms. Barbara Green addressed Council regarding a ditch that needs repair.  The ditch is located near Black Construction Company at 15th Street and Conger Avenue.  She states that it looks really bad and there is a daycare right near the ditch.

 

Ms. Green stated that there are also streets that really need repair and holes filled on them.  She mentioned 12th Street as one example.  Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that now and in the warmer future, the Public Works Department is filling and repairing the streets as they can.

 

Ms. Green spoke regarding the fundraiser for April 30 at the Casey Jr. High where the City Police Department is to play basketball against the St. Louis Police Department.

 

Mr. Bobbie Farris stated that he also has concerns about the street repairs. And the ditch that Ms. Green spoke about.

 

Mr. James Malone spoke thanking the City for the work on the water lines on Conger and South 9th Streets.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Council Member David Wood to go into Executive Session to Discuss Real Estate Acquisition and Possible Real Estate Sales. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Council returned to open session after Executive Session.  Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to Adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan.