Regular City Council Meeting
July 16, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, July 16, 2007, at 7:10 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park following a Public Hearing.
The Invocation was given by Reverend Travis Perry.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order. 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 journal for the July 2, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting was presented for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journal for the July 2, 2007, Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for July 2007 in the amount of $835,405.41 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for July 2007 in the amount of $ 835,405.41 as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
CITY MANAGER
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Daycare for Property Located at 333 Potomac Boulevard. The petitioning party is Rend Lake College.
Ms. Chris Tuttle, the Attorney representing Rend Lake College addressed Council and stated that there would be 40 to 60 children enrolled from the age group of 3 to 5 years old. The parents would park on the south side of the building and enter through the coffee shop. The daycare is open to the public and the hours will be 5:15 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The playground will be inside a 6 foot fenced area and the children will be supervised at all times. There were no objectors at the Planning and Zoning Meeting. Ms. Tuttle asked Council to consider Suspending the Rules. 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 Burgan to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-36, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Daycare for Property Located at 333 Potomac Boulevard for Petitioning Party Rend Lake College. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Cell Tower for Property at #7 Cusumano Plaza. The petitioning party is Alltel Communications. Attorney Curtis Martin was present to represent Alltel Communications, Inc. Mr. Martin stated that Alltel wants to move the tower from where it currently stands to a location at #7 Cusumano Plaza, a few feet away. Mr. Martin stated that a variance request has also been filed for this project. Mr. Martin stated that when the Conditional Use is passed, the tower could be moved within 90 days. There was one objector present at the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. Mr. Martin asked Council to consider suspending the rules to vote on an Ordinance. Council Member Mike Walker stated that the building permit could not be issued until the old tower is removed. City Attorney David R. Leggans stated that there is an additional page that states this. Mayor Chesley asked if the address is #7 Cusumano Plaza or is it Lot # 7 Cusumano Plaza. Mayor Chesley asked if there were any comments or questions from the public regarding this Ordinance. Mr. Steve Modert stated that he has not had a chance to discuss the proposed Ordinance with his attorney as he just received a copy of it today. Mr. Modert asked that Council hold this for a second reading. Mayor Chesley stated that all parties concerned would like to see the tower moved right away. The next Council Meeting is not for 18 days. City Attorney David R. Leggans stated that second readings are usually held if there are objections. Council Member David Wood asked when the copy of the Ordinance was made available. Agenda came out Friday afternoon. Mr. Wood asked how long it would take to move the tower. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the tower could be moved in 90 days if they hustle. Mayor Chesley stated that Mr. Modert has followed this issue for a long time and there were objectors. Mayor Chesley stated that this would be First Reading Only with the second to be held on August 6, 2007.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Church for Property at 1127 S. 15th Street and 1500 Perkins. The petitioning party is Southtown Apostolic Church. Reverend James Gordon addressed Council regarding this request. Reverend Gordon stated that this is a new church and will be more modern and have a lot of new technologies that the old church doesn’t have with more rooms and more space for classes. Mr. Gordon stated that the church also has Southtown Youth and a Daycare Program and an after school program operating out of the church. The family center was built 3 years ago and there are more new programs that the church wants to start with the new building. Reverend Gordon asked for a suspension of the rules if possible to get started on the building. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-37, an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Church for Property at 1127 South 15th Street and 1500 Perkins. The petitioning party is Southtown Apostolic Church. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Travel Trailer Park for Property at 9405 E. IL Hwy 15. The Petitioning Parties are Norm and Karen Grande. Mr. David Parker, Realtor with Coldwell Bankers introduced Mr. And Mrs. Grande. The Grande’s are from Texas and have a similar travel trailer park near Corpus Christi. Mr. Parker stated that this would be a first class travel trailer park. Mr. Parker stated that this is a major investment. Mr. Grande stated that they are looking at the possibility of a RV repair business here also. Council Member David Wood welcomed the Grande’s to Mt. Vernon and asked what the construction schedule is. Mr. Grande stated that they had looked at the Effingham area also but decided on Mt. Vernon because they really like the area. Mr. Grande stated that they are even building a home here, so they would be permanent residents. They are already cleaning brush and debris from the area and hope to be opened by Spring 08. Mr. Grande stated that there would be 130 sites or less plus a clubhouse, a swimming pool, and other amenities for the park. They are trying very hard to leave as many trees on the property as possible to make it more appealing. First Reading was held.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration Resolutions Authorizing the Giving of Notice of Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures for Properties Located at 1811 Cherry Street, 400 South 17th Street, 1308 South 18th Street and 1009 South 6th Street. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Resolutions Authorizing the Giving of Notice of Dangerous and Dilapidated Structures for Properties Located 1811 Cherry Street, 400 South 17th Street, 1308 South 18th Street and 1009 South 6th Street.
Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving an Agreement for Technical Services and Assistance Regarding Tax Increment Financing within the Downtown Area. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is reevaluating the downtown boundaries for a Downtown TIF. This new agreement expands the area to include the Junior High School and the High School and down 10th Street. DMI will do a TIF study with the expanded boundaries and they will now do a new TIF study, so this is the new agreement. Mayor Chesley stated that she is very excited about this TIF. It is specifically designed for revitalization and redevelopment in the Downtown area. Mr. Eric White stated that this study should be done by December and it will also trigger a housing impact study for the entire TIF area. Mayor Chesley stated that SSA has approved this in their Master Plan. Motion by Council Member David Wood to adopt the Resolution Approving an Agreement for Technical Services and Assistance Regarding Tax Increment Financing within the Downtown Area as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that there would be a City Council Workshop Meeting held on Wednesday, July 18, 2007 at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The purpose of this meeting is for Discussion of a Comprehensive Plan for the City of Mt. Vernon. Mayor Chesley stated that the last Comprehensive Plan was done in 1963.
Mayor Chesley stated that there would also be a Workshop Meeting held on Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The purpose of this Workshop Meeting is for Discussion of the 2007/2008 Budget Review and Discussion of Zoning Classifications.
Mayor Chesley stated that there is also a plan to visit the Disaster Plan for the City. Last year on July 21 Mt. Vernon was actually hit by a disaster. The plan is to go over the current plan book and update it.
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Horton Petties addressed Council regarding an Open House to be held at the new church. Mr. Petties invited the Mayor and Council to attend on Sunday, July 29, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Rest Church, 1307 South 9th Street. Mr. Petties
stated that the church members are all very proud of their new church. Mr. Petties asked about the ditch on 10th Street. He also stated that Dawson Park
needs to have restrooms, a shelter and more park equipment and fences for the children’s safety. Mr. Petties asked about transportation to Lincoln Park to be safe for children on bicycles and walking.
Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.