City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

June 7, 2010

 

 

 

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, June 7, 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. Reverend Travis Perry of the Bonnie and Ina United Methodist Church 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, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.

 

Council Member Todd Piper stated that he knows that the Mayor is wondering what several people in the audience are there for. Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, several businesses and several leaders of the community. Council Member Piper stated that they were all there to thank the Mayor for her diligent work in trying to represent the City in the Star Bond Issue in Springfield. Her leadership role in representing Mt. Vernon and her trip to Springfield. Mayor Chesley was given a standing ovation. Mayor Chesley thanked everyone for showing their strength in Springfield and stated that she appreciates the help and backing from everyone.

 

The journal for the May 17, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Journal for the May 17, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

The Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for June 2010 in the amount of $482,682.58 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for June 2010 in the amount of $ 482,682.58 as presented. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

BIDS AND QUOTES

 

CITY MANAGER

 

City Manager Ron Neibert requested Council to accept a bid for Milling and Resurfacing of Shiloh Drive. He reported that the bid received was from Southern Illinois Asphalt in the amount of $299,141.13. This amount is under the $300,000.00 grant amount. Work will begin in 30 days from award of bid and will be done within 3 to 4 weeks. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to award the bid to Mill and Resurface Shiloh Drive to Southern Illinois Asphalt in the amount of $299,141.13. Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented a Request for Permission to Bypass Formal Bidding Procedures to Purchase a Heavy Truck Lift System for the Garage. The cost of this equipment is $21,000.00.  This cost is $5,000.00 less than expected. This equipment will allow the mechanics to lift the larger vehicles when needed. The City has had to rent larger lifts for use when needed. Council Member McEnaney asked if this was a permanently installed piece of equipment. Vehicle Maintenance Director Mike Shannon stated that this is not permanently installed, it is portable, and so it can be taken out on calls if needed. Council Member Mary Burgan asked if this was a budgeted item.  Mr. Shannon stated that it was in the budget. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Grant Permission to Bypass the Formal Bidding Procedure to Purchase a Heavy Truck Lift System for the Vehicle Maintenance Department. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request to Seek Bids for Three (3) Squad Cars for the Police Department. Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that these are budgeted items. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to Grant Permission to Seek Bids for three (3) Squad Cars for the Police Department. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

CITY ATTORNEY

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Property Located at 10348 E. Ambassador Road. The petitioning party is Timothy Metje. Mr. Neibert stated that this is one acre of surrounded property. City Attorney David R. Leggans presented a First Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Property Located on East Ambassador Road. The petitioning party is Scotty McLaughlin. City Manager Neibert stated that this is a 17.28 acres parcel.  City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Property on Wells Bypass Road. The petitioning party is Barco Investments LLC.  This is a 22.34 acre parcel.  City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Property on Wells Bypass Road for petitioners Anthony and Edward Guinzy and Cannon Lomax.  This is a 16 acre parcel.  City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration. City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Property located on Wells Bypass Road. The petitioners are CMH Homes, Inc.  This is a 9.2 acre parcel.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that there is one more parcel to be annexed. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on these Ordinances. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance Numbers 2010-25,2010-26,2010-27,2010-28,2010-29, Ordinances Annexing the Five Parcels of Property. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is a total of 67 acres. Once the other property is annexed, the TIF District can be finished.

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Personal Property.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is a generator used by the Sewer Treatment Plant. Mr. Neibert stated that there is an offer of $1,000.00 for this equipment. Mr. Neibert recommends the sale of this generator for the $1,000.00 offer. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance.  Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Adopt Ordinance # 2010-30, an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Municipal Personal Property. Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

 

City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Acceptance of Financing Quotes for the Platform Fire Truck.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that two quotes were received. One quote from Peoples National Bank in the amount of $700,000.00 for 4.9% for 5 years. The second quote was from Carmi First National Bank for $700,000.00 at 3.69% for 5 year. Mayor Chesley asked about the Bank in Carmi. She asked what Princeton, Indiana was.  Mr. Neibert stated that their Home Branch was in Princeton, Indiana. Council Member Todd Piper asked if all of the local banks were given a chance to quote. Mr. Neibert stated that all the local banks were sent information to submit quotes.  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 # 2010-31, an Ordinance Accepting the Financing for the Platform Fire Truck from First National Bank of Carmi in the amount of $700,000.00 at 3.69% for 5 years. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

MAYOR

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley again thanked everyone for their support and unity in the endeavor regarding the Star Bond Issue. The Council, the JCDC, and all of the business people. The bill is on the Governor’s desk right now and we will see what happens.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley reported on the railroad track project being done on the east side of Mt. Vernon.  The tracks are being repaired so they will not be so rough and bumpy.  She stated that sometimes the squeaky wheel does get greased.  All of the calls to the railroad companies have done some good.

 

Mayor Chesley spoke regarding the Jefferson County Hall of Honor to be done at the Outland Airport. There will be a dedication ceremony held Sunday, June 13 at 2 p.m. at the airport. Those honored are for their service and sacrifices made for our county and country.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding the Senior Saints.  Applications can be picked up and are due back in by June 18.  Mayor Chesley gave the requirements to be nominated.

 

Mayor Chesley announced that there would be a City Council Workshop Meeting held on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall. The agenda items are: Capital Projects Updates, Bonding Agent Proposals and Executive Session Regarding Personnel.

 

CITY COUNCIL

 

VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESES FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

Mr. A.P. Petties stated that he wanted to address the Police Chief. Mr. Petties spoke about people leaving out their garbage cans and the garbage trucks not being able to go down the alleys in Mt. Vernon because they are too big. City Manager Neibert asked Mr. Petties to come to his office to discuss this problem.

 

Barbara Greene addressed Council regarding the bathroom at Dawson Park and the Street maintenance and the 9th Street ditch near the church. She stated that there was a function at Dawson Park and they had brought in port-a-potties to use. She stated that they were nasty to use. Ms. Greene asked how to get a grant for this bathroom to be built or how to get it in the budget for the City to build one. City Manager Neibert stated that he has been trying to work on other avenues to try to get one built there. Mayor Chesley asked Ms. Greene to come in and talk in the City Manager’s Office.

 

Mr. Bobby Farris asked about the old Horace Mann School building.  City Manager Neibert stated that it is not usable due to asbestos in the old building, so the City has to let it set until a solution can be found.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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