City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

May 17, 2010

 

  

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, May 17, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order.  City Manager Ron Neibert 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 and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.  Absent: Council Member David Wood.

 

The journal for the May 3, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for any additions, deletions or corrections.  Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the journal for the May 3, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting as presented.  Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Wood.

 

The Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for the month of May 2010 in the amount of $ 1,017,334.07 were presented for Council’s consideration. Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked about item # 7, $10,000.00 for the fireworks for the Fourth of July.  He asked what the total expense was.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the total fireworks cost is $20,000.00 each year. Councilman McEnaney asked if there were other City expenditures involved.  Mr. Neibert stated that it was just normal Police and Public Works expenses. Councilman McEnaney asked about item #8, the cost of the restroom. Mr. Neibert stated that that cost is the new restroom at Veterans Park on the South end by the ball field. It is the one that came in already built. It is now set and in use.  Mr. McEnaney asked about item # 14, Engineering for Veterans Memorial Drive. He asked for an update on the project. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the field survey was complete and has been flagged and staked. Mr. McEnaney asked about item #31, PGAV for Professional Service for Route 15, two TIFS. The status of this work, Mr. Neibert stated that this was for the two new

TIFS. The annexations for the West Side TIF will be shut off soon, May 31st. There will be additional funds due at milestones in the TIF work. So this is not a full payment. Council Member McEnaney asked about an ad for Tourism in Midwest Living.  City Manager Neibert stated that this is for an ad to promote tourism in this area. The funds all come out of the Tourism Funds. Mr. McEnaney asked to see one of these ads if possible. Mr. Neibert stated that he would get a copy from Bonnie. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Approve the Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for May in the amount of $1,017,334.07 as presented.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Wood.

 

BIDS AND QUOTES

 

CITY MANAGER

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration the Reallocation of Funds from the 2009/2010 Budget.  There are four requests; they do affect the General Corporate Fund. They are to cover increases in expenditures being funded by the DARE donations and anti-crime fines. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Reallocation of Funds for the 2009/2010 Budget as presented.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Wood.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented a Request for Permission to seek Bids for the Wagner Road Lift Station Reconstruction. Mr. Neibert stated that this is the worst lift station in town. It was constructed in 1960 or so. This is a high priority project and was talked about in the Comprehensive Plan. Council Member Mary Burgan asked where the Wagner Road lift station is located.  It is South on the dead end of Wagner Road out by the Countryside Nursing Home. It handles the sewers of all of the Summerville area. 

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she would like the record show that Council Member David Wood has now entered the meeting at 7:09 p.m.

 

Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Grant Permission to Seek Bids for the Wagner Road Lift Station Replacement. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Purchase a 100’ Platform Fire Truck from Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc.  The purchase price of this truck is $896,822.45. This truck will replace the ladder/aerial truck that was wrecked 2 years ago. The insurance has settled with the City for $197,000.00 for the wrecked vehicle. There was a committee looking into the purchase of a new truck and the committee has decided that this truck would be the best purchase for the department. Fire Chief Jim Brown stated that this vehicle would be built in Holden, Louisiana. It will take five to nine months to build it. The truck will have a 20 year warranty and will be stored at Station #4 on 42nd Street. It is over 40 feet long and will fit well in that station. Having this type of truck will increase the safety of the public and also help our ISO rating. Councilman Piper asked the names of the people on the committee. Fire Chief Brown stated that they were:  Chris Yenne, Jan Petersen, Dan Plumb, Andy Lewis, Doug Boczek, Jason Settle, Shane Emrich, Brad Baum and Casey McCommons. Council Member David Wood stated that he would like to thank the committee members for all of their hard work and long hours in purchasing this vehicle.  Council Member Piper asked if the money is coming out of the Capital Funds. City Manager Neibert stated that they were and the City is taking a five year financing and would soon go out for loan quotes to cover this item. Council Member Wood stated that the truck was in the budget and actually came in under budget amount.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to Grant Permission to Purchase the 100 foot Platform Fire Truck from Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc. in the amount of $896,822.45 as presented.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Bypass Formal Bidding for the Purchase of an Asphalt Zipper.  He explained that this is a street milling machine.  The City has been paying around $40,000.00 per year to rent a milling machine and we have had to get it when they had time and could do it.  The approximate cost of this machine is $100,000.00 which 2 ½ years of rental fees will pay for it.  We will own it, and could even rent it out to other cities and make some funds back. Council Member Mary Burgan asked if these are also Capital Funds and if this purchase was in the budget.  City Manager Neibert stated that yes they are Capital and they were in the budget. Mr. Neibert stated that this is a single source provider.  Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to Grant Permission to Bypass the Formal Bidding Procedure for the Purchase of an Asphalt Zipper. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  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 Annexing Property Located at 10560 Ambassador Road.  The Petitioning Party is David and Tamerla Payne. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is a ¾ acre tract with a house on it. It is located within the boundaries of the TIF. Not only will this add property to the City, it will add residents to the census count. Mr. Neibert stated that we hope to have all of the petitions in by May 31. There are 5 or 6 that will be on the agenda in June. Mayor Chesley asked to have an updated map for Council at the Workshop Meeting next week. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2010-24, an Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 10560 Ambassador Road for David and Tamerla Payne. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas; Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

MAYOR

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley presented to Council for their advice and consent, the reappointment of Ron Neibert to the Fire Pension Board. He is one of the two City Appointments to this Board. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Reappoint Ron Neibert to the Fire Pension Board. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley reported that the week of May16 to the 22nd is EMS Week. She read a proclamation in support of the EMS Professionals in Mt. Vernon and presented the proclamation to Fire Chief Jim Brown.

 

Mayor Chesley reported that there would be a City Council Workshop Meeting held at 4:00 p.m. on May 24, 2010 at City Hall. The purpose of this meeting will be for Discussion of Capital Project Updates and Bonding Agent Proposals. Mayor Chesley stated that this is an ongoing process for progress following the Comprehensive Plan.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding the BASSETT Training that the Mission Possible Coalition is putting on. This is training on serving alcohol to underage drinkers. The training will be held on May 25 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building West. Mayor Chesley stated that they had held one other training about a month ago and it was mandatory that someone from each liquor business attend.

 

CITY COUNCIL

 

Council Member Todd Piper spoke regarding the Jefferson County Tractor Pull Association and Car Show that will be held on Saturday, May 22, at the Fairgrounds on Wells Bypass Road.

 

Council Member Todd Piper also thanked the Mayor and City Manager for their action last week on the STAR Bonding Issue. They made a quick trip to Springfield to let our opinions be known regarding this issue.

 

VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

Mr. Horton Petties of Mt. Vernon addressed Council regarding Southtown Projects. He said the old housing project is an eyesore and a weed problem. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that it has been posted and it is an on going process that takes a while to get anything done. The owners do not live in this area, but they have been contacted.  Mr. Petties also spoke about a ditch problem near the new church that they have built. He asked if the City could put barriers or posts up so it would not be such a problem and eyesore. City Manager Neibert stated that that would be putting barriers on private property and the City could not do that, but it will be looked at to see if anything can be done.

 

Ms. Barbara Green addressed Council regarding needing a restroom at Dawson Park again.  She also spoke about the conditions of the roads. She stated that the ditch near the church needs to be covered up. She spoke about the housing project near the old fairgrounds and the weed problem.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert stated that there are not restrooms at all of the City Parks.  There are only restrooms at Veterans Park and Lincoln Park. George Bryant at the Park Department only has so much money to use for the year and he has already designated his funds for the next year.  The next budget process does not begin until February 2011. Mayor Chesley asked what roads in particular she is talking about.  Ms. Green said all of them.  City Manager Neibert explained that this is not street program time yet, we have to wait until it gets warm and stays dry before the streets can be fixed permanently. Ms. Green asked about any new jobs coming in to town.  Mayor Chesley stated that there is not any news of any yet.

 

Mr. Horton Petties also asked about a restroom at Dawson Park. Council Member David Wood stated that the problem is more than the amount of usage the park gets.  The City departments all had to cut their budgets by 4.7%., each department.  Therefore they all have a lot less money to go around for all of their projects.  Mr. Petties stated that he feels that the south side of town is not getting any attention.  City Manager Neibert spoke about the Community Building needing to be updated this year.  That will take quite a bit of money, but everyone uses the building and the City collects rent from the use of it.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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