Regular City Council Meeting
April 6, 2009
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order and Reverend Brad Henson of West Salem Trinity Methodist Church gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan and Council Member Shirilyn Holt.
The journal for the March 16, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journal for the March 16, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
The Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for April 2009 in the amount of $ 777,117.22 were presented for Council’s consideration. Council Member Mike Walker asked about the charge for Shores Builders. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is for the Downtown Development sidewalk project and when the job was completed DMDC would reimburse the City. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for April 2009 in the amount of $ 777,117.22 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked to defer from the agenda for the presentation of the Tree Board and Arbor Day Proclamation. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley read a
proclamation regarding Arbor Day and presented the proclamation to George Bryant, Parks Director. Mr. Bryant stated that this is the 137th Anniversary of Arbor Day being celebrated. The City has been honored as a Tree City USA since 1994, and the Tree City Growth Award since 1997. Arbor Day will be held on April 25, 2009. Mr. Bryant introduced Mr. Dennis Epplin the Tree Board Chairman. Mr. Epplin stated that his Board consists of himself, Myrtle DeLoch, Barbara Miles, Diane Hultgren and Justin Riley. Matt Fauss Public Works Director and Dave Johnson of IDNR are ex-officio members of the Board. The celebration of Arbor Day has been happening in Mt. Vernon for 15 years. The City and Ameren normally join forces to give away some 190 trees for residents of the City to plant. The ‘Hug a Tree’ celebrated in the City schools by giving students seedling trees to plant. They give away 800 seedling trees through this program. There is an annual poster contest for Arbor Day with the local schools. This years Arbor Day celebration is planned, and they are looking for at least 500 participants at the Park.
City Manager Ron Neibert introduced Mr. Randy Tucker of EMC to present the Annual Report from the Treatment Plant. Mr. Tucker stated that the venture of a public-private partnership has bought much success to the City of Mt. Vernon and EMC during the past 25 years. The wastewater operations have improved the efficiency, while maintaining an outstanding level of service. The Facility Manager oversees the 5.0 MGD facility, 12 lift stations, sludge handling program and industrial pretreatment programs. His responsibilities include effluent quality control, performance to budget, EPA reports, personnel, safety performance, supervision of the facility operations and maintenance, sludge handling and sludge disposal. Mr. Tuckers stated that he has 8 facility operators on staff. 5- Class 1, 1-Class 2, 1- Class 3 and 1-Class 4. The plant has an in-house safety committee and meetings are held monthly with inspections. The plant has received numerous awards and certificates for safety and operations, and has been nominated 4 years for the best operated plant. The plant came in $17,653.00 under budget for the 2008 year. The 2008 de-watering project has become a success. Mr. Tucker explained how this process works. There are a few projects needed in the next year. Some are a roof at station 14, a roof at station 1, heat and air at the control building, and a new station on Wagner Road. Mr. Tucker stated that he wants to thank his employees, the city’s employees and officials for all the cooperation he gets from them. It has been a good relationship for many years, and he hopes there is a good relationship for many more years. Mayor Chesley commended EMC, Randy and his employees for the quality service to the City of Mt. Vernon.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at South Water
Tower Circle from Class R-1 to R-3. The petitioning party is EF Development Group, LLC. Mr. Brian Edmison was present to discuss his plans for this property. Mr. Edmison stated that this property is located at the end of Jamison Street. He stated that Greenwalt and Sons are going to be the builders on the project. There are plans to build eighteen condo units on the North side of the project, two 3 plexes, four 2 plexes each will be one story buildings. Mr. Edmison stated that there could be optional loft space in some of the buildings. There are also plans to develop professional buildings in this area. Council Member David Wood stated that he had met with Mr. Edmison and the Greenwalts to discuss their plans earlier and he was very pleased with the plans that he was shown. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve Ordinance # 2009-07, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at South Water Tower Circle From Class R-1 to Class R-3 for petitioning party EF Development Group, LLC. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Ceding of the Private Activity Bonding Authority. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is an annual request. If the City is not going to do a project to use these funds, we cede them to someone else. This year we are ceding to SIEDA. This way we do not lose our funding for next year. The funding is $90.00 per capita per year. The amount for this year is $1,468,710.00 and it would revert back to the State of Illinois if we do not use or cede it. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-08, an Ordinance Authorizing the Ceding of the Private Activity Bonding Authority. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution and Amendment Agreement for the Construction of a Road Relating to the Water Tower Drive Extension Project with EF Development. Mr. Brian Edmison addressed Council regarding this request. Mr. Edmison stated that this is an agreement for the City to complete this street. There was a 12-month term in which the street would be completed. He requested that an extension of this agreement until August 31, 2009 be made. Mr. Edmison is selling the property to Greenwalt and Sons to build on. He asked that EF Development’s rights be transferred to Greenwalt and Sons for this project. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is of a benefit to the City and it will affect the sale to Greenwalts. This also corrects a slight discrepancy in the deed. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Resolution and Amendment to the Agreement for the Construction of a Road Relating to the Water Tower Drive Extension Project with
EF Development. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this Resolution Authorizes Police Chief Chris Mendenall for a trial period of one year to change the officers to 12 hour scheduling. Mr. Neibert stated that the revenue would be the same to the City. Council Member David Wood asked how this would affect the City’s safety issues. Other cities that are doing this are Effingham, Belleville, Maryville, Collinsville and Fairview Heights. We have to try this for one year before we can talk in the bargaining meetings regarding the issue. We do have to wait the entire one-year period. This scheduling will begin May 4, 2009. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Resolution Approving a Memorandum Agreement with the Fraternal Order of Police. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt. City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Reclassifying Certain Public Utilities and Sanitation Accounts for Accounting Purposes. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is an annual budgeting action. The Resolution reclassifies the accounts, but the department does not stop trying to collect the money. There can be liens and active collecting ongoing year round. If any of the people on the lists try to get service the girls in the office know about it. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Resolution Reclassifying Certain Public Utilities and Sanitation Accounts for Accounting Purposes. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving an Application for a COPS Grant. Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that this would cover three officers for three years funding then the City has to fund the fourth year This is a $430,527.00 Grant with no matching funds. Council Member Wood asked the Chief what the chances of receiving the grant were. Chief Mendenall stated that there is a very good chance. We should know in 45 to 60 days if we get the grant. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Application for the COPS Grant. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Requesting Authorization to Close 9th Street between Harrison and Jordan Streets on Saturday, August 8, 2009, from 12:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. for the Purpose of the DMDC Cruise Night. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve the Resolution Requesting Authorization to Close 9th Street from Harrison to Jordan Street on Saturday, August 8, 2009, from 12:00 p.m. to 9:00
p.m. for the Purpose of the DMDC Cruise Night. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley read a Proclamation recognizing the National Telecommunicator’s Week. The week of April 12 through April 18 is the week. Mayor Chesley presented the Proclamation to Police Chief Chris Mendenall.
Mayor Chesley stated that she wanted to remind everyone to take advantage of their given right and to exercise their right to get out and vote tomorrow.
Council Member David Wood also expressed his hope that everyone gets out to vote tomorrow. He stated that he hopes that the weather is good for the turnout.
Mr. Wood also stated that Council Member Holt is absent because the high school is interviewing a replacement for Mr. Milt tonight.
Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.