Regular City Council Meeting
June 16, 2008
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, June16, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order. The invocation was given by Corporation Counsel Bill Howard.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.
The journal for the June 2, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the Journal for the June 2, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for June 2008 in the amount of $ 947,741.47 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for June 2008 in the amount of $ 947,741.47 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Bypass Formal Bidding Procedures for the Purchase of Replacement Fire Hose and Air Pacs for the Fire Department. Mr. Neibert asked Fire Chief Jim Brown to present the quotes received. Chief Brown stated that the quotes received were as follows:
Towers Fire Apparatus Replacement Hose $ 15,216.56
Mid America “ “ $ 15,331.20
Equipment Management Co “ “ $ 19,850.00
Chief Brown stated that he recommends going with the lowest quote of Towers Fire Apparatus in the amount of $ 15,216.56 for the replacement hose needed. City Manager Ron Neibert concurred. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Bypass of the Formal Bid Procedures for the Purchase of Replacement Fire Hose from Towers Fire Apparatus in the amount of $ 15,216.56. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Fire Chief Jim Brown stated that there was only one company to quote for the 12 air pacs for SCBA Gear. That company was MSA – in the amount of $ 43,229.40 or $ 3,602.45 each. This is the only company to buy from so the units will interchange with the units we now have. Chief Brown recommended the purchase in the amount of $ 43,229.40. City Manager Ron Neibert concurred. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve Bypass of the Formal Bid Procedures and accept the quote from MSA for the 12 air pacs in the amount of $ 43,229.40. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration the Consideration of Preliminary and Final Plat Approval for Maly Commercial Realty. Mr. Rick Rohlfing of BFA Consultants-Engineering-Surveyors that this is property next to Lowe’s. This is a subdivision of Lot 8 in Valley Forge Commercial Park Subdivision. Lowe’s has agreed to grant egress easement onto Davidson Drive to their development. This would give them an opportunity for two entrance points. Mr. Rohlfing stated that the development would have the ability to house up to six retail stores. He stated that there are three that are ready to sign. When asked if he could name some of the stores, he stated that he would let the developer release the names. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to grant Preliminary and Final Plat Approval for the Maly Commercial Realty Subdivision. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented a Request for Reallocation of Funds for the 2007/2008 Budget. Finance Director Merle Hollmann explained that these changes are mostly “housekeeping” in nature. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Request for the Reallocation of Funds for the 2007/2008 Fiscal Year Budget as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request to Close Newby Street from South 11th Street to South 12th Street between 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on June 27, 2008 for the Woods Family Reunion. Mr. And Mrs. Charles Jones was present to explain that this is a family fish fry and welcome for the Annual Woods Family Reunion. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Grant the Request to Close Newby Street between 12th Street and 11th Street for the hours of 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on June 27th for the Woods Family Reunion. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented the First Reading of an Ordinance Regarding the Regulation of Tobacco Products. Mr. Howard stated that if this Ordinance passes, the starting date would be August 1, 2008. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that this process started several months ago with some parents coming to Council with concerns about their son being able to purchase cigarettes, or having them purchased for him. They were very concerned about teens smoking. Mayor Chesley stated that the school administrators have also been concerned and are aware of this Ordinance. The Ordinance would require anyone selling tobacco products to get a license from the City to be allowed to sell tobacco products. It would also require posting of certain signs stating that persons under eighteen could not purchase tobacco and it is illegal to sell tobacco products to them. Mayor Chesley stated that this would be First Reading Only.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Regarding the Prevailing Wage Rate. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is an annual Ordinance that the City is required to enact. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2008-23, an Ordinance Regarding the Prevailing Wage Rates. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for First Reading an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Kennel for Property at 1706 S. 15th Street. The Petitioning Party is Linda Stout. Mrs. Stout addressed Council saying that she has pens for seven dogs and they are all older dogs. The pens are kept very clean and the dogs are well fed. She is caring for her dogs and a couple of dogs of a friend that is too ill to care for them. She also has cats, but they are in a house made for them. Mrs. Stout stated that her dogs are well behaved and don’t bark or bother anyone. She just wants them to live there and be taken care of as long as they live. The dogs will not be replaced once they are gone. All of the
animals have had their shots and care by a vet. Mrs. Stout presented copies of letters from her neighbors regarding the dogs and there were no objectors present at the Planning and Zoning Board meeting. The Planning and Zoning Board statement says that this kennel is not for commercial use. For her dogs only and not to exceed 7 dogs. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Adopt Ordinance # 2008-24, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Kennel for Property Located at 1706 S. 15th Street for Linda Stout. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving the Agreement Between the City of Mt. Vernon and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, Telecommunications Bargaining Unit. Mr. Neibert stated that this is a four-year contract like the other unions with similar terms. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she appreciates all of the time and effort that has gone into the work on these contracts. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Resolution Approving an Agreement Between the City of Mt. Vernon and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council, Telecommunications Bargaining Unit. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving an Agreement with the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that once again this is a 4-year contract for the sworn officers of the Police Department. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution Approving the Agreement with the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Labor Council. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Mr. Caryle Michel addressed Council regarding the possibility of selling the water service and distribution system that the City purchased from Illinois Cities Water about 50 years ago. Mr. Michel thinks that this could solve some of the financial problems of the City. He stated that there are many companies and organizations in the market to purchase such companies. The funds could be used to pay off some of the debts the City has.
Mr. Bobbie Farris of Mt. Vernon spoke to Council regarding cars driving too fast down his street. He said it is dangerous. Mayor Chesley asked Police Chief Chris Mendenall to look into this problem and get back to her.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.