Regular City Council Meeting
April 20, 2009
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, April 20, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order and Reverend Jerry Van Houtin of Victory Christian Center 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 March 26, 2009 City Council Workshop Meeting, the April 1, 2009 City Council Workshop Meeting and the April 6, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting were presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journals for the March 26, 2009 City Council Workshop Meeting, the April 1, 2009 City Council Workshop Meeting and the April 6, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for April 2009 in the amount of $826,025.97 were presented to Council for consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for the April 2009 Accounts Payable in the amount of $ 826,025.97 as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
CITY MANAGER
CITY ATTORNEY
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 4100 LaSalle Street from Class BPL to Class R-3. The petitioning party is Jefferson County Development Corporation. Ms. Mary Ellen Bechtel addressed Council saying that this request had gone before the Planning and Zoning Commission last week and they gave unanimous approval for the rezoning. Ms. Bechtel explained that if it is rezoned, Comprehensive Services and Yost Management of Charleston, Illinois plan to build residences for housing units for persons with special needs. The property is currently owned by JCDC. Ms. Bechtel introduced Mr. Dan Baymar of Comprehensive Services to speak regarding this plan. Mr. Baymar stated that there would be apartments for persons with special needs. They would lease apartments just like anyone else and would be responsible for their own units. Mr. Baymar stated that these would be safe, affordable permanent housing units for persons with disabilities. There would be Comp Services offices in the complex, but there would not be individuals on premise at all times. There would be a maintenance person available on call. The complex consists of two buildings with 16 to 20 apartments. Council Member Shirilyn Holt asked if there would be rehabilitation work for the residents. She also asked if there would be persons with mental illnesses and persons with disabilities. She asked if there would be help with job coaches for the residents. Mr. Baymar stated that there are case managers available to help with money management and to be sure the apartments are kept neat and clean. Council Member David Wood asked if they are expecting 100% occupancy. Mr. Baymar stated that he expects it to be 100% as soon as it is built. Council Member Wood asked where these people are living now. Mr. Baymar stated that most are living with relatives or in substandard housing. The residents will likely be on SSI and the rent will be based on IHDA standards at no more than 1/3 of their income. There may also be some Section 8 vouchers. Ms. Bechtel stated that as the application is on track they are asking for Council to consider suspending the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Council Member Mary Burgan commended both the JCDC and Mr. Baymar for this project. She stated that she realizes that there is much need for this type of housing in the area. Ms. Bechtel stated that the JCDC has agreed that if this project does not come to fruition, they have agreed to rezone the property back in 30 days. Council Member David Wood asked about water retention basin on the property. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-09, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 4100 LaSalle Street from Class BPL to Class R-3 for Petitioning Party Jefferson County Development Corporation. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 2800 Veterans Memorial Drive from Class R1 to Class B2. The petitioning party is RJV Investments. Mr. Vic Cusumano was present to represent RJV. Mr. Cusumano stated that the lots are between 2800 and 2900 Veterans Memorial Drive and they are currently zoned residential. He stated that he does not think any of this area will be residential before long because this will be a major street to cut through and it will be easier to do something with the property if it is already zoned for business. There were no objectors at the Planning and Zoning meeting. Mr. Cusumano asked for a suspension to vote on this Ordinance. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-10, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 2800 Veterans Memorial Drive from Class R1 to Class B2 for Petitioning Party RJV Investments. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Kennel for Property at 11667 N. Sparrow Lane. The petitioning party is Furry Friends Animal Shelter. Attorney Bob Shaw was present to represent Furry Friends. Ms. Linda Cornwell was introduced to explain this request. Ms. Cornwell explained that this shelter is all volunteers and is a not-for-profit entity. They operate a no kill shelter. They take dogs and clean them up, give them shots, neuter them and microchip them and try to adopt them out. They are not set up for cats yet, but are working on this. She stated that people might recognize Furry Friends by the name LOBO Animal Shelter. That was their previous name. The Planning and Zoning Board recommended the Council approve this Conditional Use. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-11, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Kennel for Property at 11667 N. Sparrow Lane for Petitioning Party Furry Friends Animal Shelter. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Approving The Identity Theft Prevention Program. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is a State Mandated Policy and it is needed for any sensitive material that we handle such as information on water bills, employee information, etc. There will be training for employees to know what is sensitive and how to handle the information. Mr. Neibert asked for a suspension of the rules to vote on this Ordinance. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council
Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-12, an Ordinance Approving the Identity Theft Prevention Program. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she had several appointments and re-appointments to present to Council for advice and consent. Mayor Chesley stated that she wished to re-appoint the following members of the Tree Board. Diane Hultgren, Dennis Epplin, Justin Riley, Barbara Miles and Myrtle DeLoach.
Mayor Chesley stated that she would like to re-appoint Merle Hollmann to the Fire Pension Board.
Mayor Chesley stated that she would like to re-appoint Paul Dickerson to the Airport Authority.
Mayor Chesley stated that she would like to re-appoint Dorothy Glover to the City Housing Authority.
Mayor Chesley stated that she would like to re-appoint Kay Shaw to the Fire and Police Commission.
Mayor Chesley asked to appoint Barb Hengle to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Mayor Chesley asked to re-appoint Ryan Pipher, Jerry Harpole, Ted Knapp and Ulysses Morgan to the Park Board.
Mayor Chesley asked to appoint Bernie Dickneite to the Park Board.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve all of Mayor Chesley’s appointments and re-appointments at this time. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Mayor Chesley reminded everyone about the Arbor Day Celebration to be held at the Park on April 25, 2009.