City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

July 06, 2010

 

 

 

 

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular City Council Meeting to order.  Father Gene Tucker, from the Trinity Episcopal Church gave the invocation.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

 

Roll call showed present: Council Member Todd Piper, Council Member David Wood, Council Member Dennis McEnaney and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.  Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.

 

The journals for the June 21, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any change, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the journals for the June 21, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Piper, Wood, McEnaney and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.

 

The Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for July 2010 in the amount of $ 620,344.53 were presented for Council’s consideration.  Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked what the Adaptive Digital System was for.  Mr. Neibert stated it was items they would rather not make public but a detailed list of some of the surveillance equipment could be provided to the Council and they could speak to the Chief.  Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked about the Asphalt Zipper and Mr. Neibert stated that that was a budget item and is the machine that does the milling of the streets.  This machine would allow us to do the milling instead of renting a machine for $ 40,000 per year.  Council member Wood inquired about the Sirchie Finger Print Lab.  Chief Mendenall addressed the Council and explained the use of the equipment to secure fingerprint evidence at crime scenes or at the police station.  Chief Mendenall explains the equipment is very advanced and fingerprints can be discovered more easily and photographed before they lift the prints.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for the July Accounts Payable in the amount of $ 620,344.53 as presented. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Piper, Wood, McEnaney and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.

 

BIDS AND QUOTES

 

City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids were received for the North Davidson Water Project. City Manager Ron Neibert passed out the bid results.  Mr. Neibert reported on the three components of the project and indicated the low bids in each component.   The bids were as follows:

 

Fire Hydrants – Midwest Meter, Cape Girardeau, Mo                       $ 3,905.16 TL

 

Valve & Fittings – Waterworks Inc., Granite City                               $ 6,346.00 TL

 

PVC Pipe – Schulte Supply, Edwardsville                                        $ 12,016.20 TL

 

Total of all low bids:                                                                             $ 22,312.36 TL

 

City Manager Ron Neibert stated the total was under the budgeted amount and recommended the acceptance of the low bids in the amount of $ 22,312.36. Council Member Wood asked if these venders have been used by the City before.  City Manager Neibert stated that the Public Utilities Department is very familiar with all of the vendors. Council Member Todd Piper asked if this was a force labor project.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated yes.  Mayor Chesley asked if the project is on schedule and City Manager Ron Neibert stated yes they were.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to accept the low bids from Midwest Meter, Waterworks Inc, and Schulte Supply as indicated on the bid sheet in the amount of $ 22,312.36.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Piper, Wood, McEnaney and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids had been received for the 12th St/Casey building materials for the additional storage and workroom area for the departments that will be utilizing the new facility.  This will also be a force labor project.  The bids are as follows:

 

A-1 Buildings & Overhead Doors, Inc.                 $ 16,114.64 TL

 

Daviess County Metal Sales, Inc.                         $ 18,820.11 TL

 

Kenneth Roberts, Wick Buildings                                    $ 24,448.00 TL

 

Mr. Neibert recommended the acceptance of the low bid from A-1 Buildings & Overhead Doors, Inc.  Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to accept the low bid from A-1 Buildings & Overhead Doors, Inc. in the amount of $ 16,114.64.  Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Piper, Wood, McEnaney and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.

 

 

CITY MANAGER

 

 

CITY ATTORNEY

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented to Council a Resolution authorizing the Mt. Vernon Police Department to apply for a grant in the amount of $ 34,170.00 from the Illinois Law Enforcement Alarm System to purchase five Panasonic Tough Book CF-31 mobile data computers.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the authorization for application to the grant for the Tough Book computers.  Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Piper, Wood, McEnaney and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented to Council a Resolution authorizing the Mt. Vernon Police Department to apply for a grant through the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance for bullet proof vests in the amount of $ 12,495.00.  City Manager Ron Neibert reports that they are required by labor contract to replace bullet proof vests which have about a 5 year life span.  Chief Mendenall reports it would be for about 10 vests and the grant requires matching funds of 50%.  Councilman Wood asks what kind of vests they are.  Chief Mendenall responds they would be for the on-duty patrol officers and would be worn under the shirts unlike the higher ballistic value vests, which were purchased before for the HRT team and worn like a jacket.   Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the authorization for application to the United States Bureau of Justice Assistance for the grant for bullet proof vests.  Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Piper, Wood, McEnaney and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented to Council a Resolution Approving the Mutual Aid Agreement with the Illinois Emergency Service Management Association.  Assistant Fire Chief Kevin Sargent addresses the council and submits a report regarding the resolution and explains it would help assist the City in a disaster or an event that would overtax our community.  This would allow emergency managers to come in and assist with the paperwork to make sure all of the forms are proper and help keep track of everything during the disaster.  This would result in payment if there is a disaster declaration by the State or the Federal Government.  This agreement brings in more resources during a disaster as well as if another community has a disaster they can call on us for assistance.  Council Member Wood asks if this is a new mutual aid agreement and is informed that it is new.  Councilmember Piper asks if this is only for weather related incidents.  Assistant Fire Chief Sargent states that it is not just for weather incidents but for any event that would tax our resources. Another community’s MST team would come down with equipment, paper, or whatever is needed to assist us.  The MST teams are distributed all over the state.  Council Member Wood asks if it is administrative support rather than just paper and pens.  Assistant Fire Chief Sargent states it is the administrative aspect of managing a disaster.  Mayor Chesley asks if there are any criteria to qualify for it.  Assistant Fire Chief Sargent states that you have to be trained in NIHMS, the National Incident Management System and you have to go through some classes to learn how to handle incidents.  Council Member Wood asks for clarification that this is the actual agreement and once Council approves it then it will go into effect immediately.  Assistant Fire Chief Sargent states that is correct.  Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to approve the resolution for the Mutual Aid Agreement as presented.  Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Piper, Wood, McEnaney and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.

 

MAYOR

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley reports on the exciting events of the Fourth of July.  The weather was beautiful and there was a new vendor, Central States Fireworks, who put on an outstanding show.  Mayor Chesley acknowledged the Mt. Vernon Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Director Bonnie Jerdon, Nikki Greene, and the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Department, vendors, the Park Department and all the others who helped put on a safe and successful show. 

 

Mayor Chesley reported on the Work Camp Program, sponsored by the Presbyterian Church.  Mayor Chesley stated she was present on the first day they arrived and welcomed the workers to the City of Mt. Vernon.  Mayor Chesley commented on what nice workers they were and their showing of faith in church, faith in relationships, friendships and fellowships in the young people that are our future.   Mayor Chesley reported there were about 362 young people working and they repaired about 60 homes in some way.  The young people came from 4 different states and gave a week of their summer to work on this program.  Mayor Chesley reports they only have the program every two years. It takes many man hours to organize and run it.  There were several outstanding contributions from local business to help with materials.  Mayor Chesley stated she officially wanted to acknowledge and thank the people in the Work Camp Program.

 

Mayor Chesley reports on the workshop on July 12, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall in the council chambers.  Mayor Chesley states that they will have an update on the Comprehensive Plan and that they have promised the people they would adhere closely to what was put in the plan.  Also, there will be a Bike Trail Proposal. Finally, there will be an executive session to discuss personnel.

 

Mayor Chesley stated there was a friend of the City’s that passed away on Saturday, Dot Glover.  Mayor Chesley commented on what a strong supporter of the City of Mt. Vernon and her many council meetings she attended.  She dedicated 39 years of her life working for Shiloh Township as an assessor, worked as a fire and police commissioner for the City of Mt. Vernon, and served on the housing board from about 1996 until she resigned about a month ago.  Mayor Chesley acknowledged her service to the City of Mt. Vernon.

 

CITY COUNCIL

 

Council Member Todd Piper commented on the importance of positive thinking and the attendance of members of the community, such as Dot Glover at the City Council Meetings.

 

VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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