City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

August 17, 2009

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, August 17, 2009, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order.  Reverend Travis Perry of Bonnie and Ina United Methodist Churches gave the invocation.

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

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

The journal for the August 3, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Council Member Dennis McEnaney asked about the $17,003.40 payment to DMI. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this was the final payment for their work on the Comprehensive Plan.  The total amount was $53,000.00. Council Member McEnaney also asked about the Greater Egypt Regional Planning payment of $4,067.25.  City Manager Neibert said that this is an annual dues payment. Greater Egypt helps the City a lot with grant writing, etc. Council Member Piper asked about the payment of $ 53,086.67 to Ameren IP. City Manager Neibert stated that this is for some unmetered service such as street lighting, night-lights, etc. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the journal for the August 3, 2009 Regular City Council as presented. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.

The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for August 2009 in the amount of $907,223.80 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for August 2009 in the amount of $907,223.80 as presented. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.

BIDS AND QUOTES

City Manager Ron Neibert reported that one bid each had been received for the Fire Department truck and trailer. Fire Chief Jim Brown reported on the bids received. Chief Brown stated that one bid was received for the truck. The bid was as follows:

      Ford Square of Mt. Vernon  1- F550 4X4 truck chasis without a bed $40,508.29.

This vehicle met all of the specs and the cost is under the estimate. The funds are in the budget. City Manager Ron Neibert concurred. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the purchase of the F550 Ford vehicle from Ford Square in the amount of $ 40,508.29. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.

Chief Brown stated that one bid was received for the trailer.  The bid was as follows:

      Adams Enterprises McHenry, IL 1- Enclosed Gooseneck Trailer  $13,905.00.

Chief Brown stated that the bid met all the specs. City Manager Ron Neibert concurred that we should accept the bid from Adams Enterprises. Mayor Chesley asked how the bids were done. Chief Brown stated that they were advertised in the local papers. City Clerk Jackie Sharp stated that she had faxed out a few bid packets to people that had called also. Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to accept the low bid of Adams Enterprises for the Gooseneck Trailer in the amount of $13,905.00. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.

CITY MANAGER

City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for the Construction of Continental Tire Road. Mr. Neibert explained that this would be for an additional truck access to the plant. Mr. Neibert stated that this is a project that has been in the works for a while. The City applied and received a grant for $500,000.00 from an IDOT Grant. The City’s ½ match will be from our Revolving Loan Fund. The Revolving Loan Fund can be used for either low interest loans to businesses or can be used to support infrastructure expansions. Council Member Dennis McEnaney stated that he would like to applaud the City Manager and JCDC for their continuing work on these projects. This will help retain jobs in Mt. Vernon. Motion by Council Member McEnaney to approve the Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for the Construction of the Continental Tire Road. Second by Council Member Piper.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.

City Manager Ron Neibert requested an Executive Session following the Regular Session to Discuss Personnel.

CITY ATTORNEY

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 11514 N. Wells Bypass from Class AG to Class B2. The petitioning party is Roger Metje. Mr. Metje was present at the meeting and stated that he would like to move his business to this new location. His business is Rend Lake Sporting Goods. He would build a 54 X 120 building, which would house his retail and archery range. Mr. Metje stated that there were no objectors at the Planning and Zoning meeting. Mr. Metje asked for a suspension of the rules so he can get started on the building. Motion by Council Member Piper to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance.  Second by Council Member McEnaney. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.  Motion by Council Member Piper to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-26, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 11514 N. Wells By Pass from AG to B2 as requested by petitioning party Roger Metje. Second by Council Member McEnaney.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Final Plat for the Southern Illinois Fair and Expo Authority First Subdivision Located at 11514 N. Wells By Pass.  Mr. Bill Woodfall was present to answer any questions Council may have regarding this Subdivision Plat. He stated that it was a 2-acre – 1 lot subdivision on Wells By Pass North of Ambassador.  There were no objectors at the Planning and Zoning Board Meeting. The new plat shows an extra five feet of ROW for the future. Motion by Council Member Dennis McEnaney to Grant the Final Plat Approval for the Southern Illinois Fair and Expo Authority First Subdivision at 11514 Wells By Pass as requested.  Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Approving an Amendment to the Amended Loud Stereo Ordinance. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this amendment would clarify some questions that have come up in a couple of court cases. Council Member Todd Piper asked if the Police Chief had input on this change.  Chief Chris Mendenall stated that he and City Attorney Leggans had discussed this change. Motion by Council Member McEnaney to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance.  Second by Council Member Piper.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.  Motion by Council Member McEnaney to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-27, an Ordinance Approving an Amendment to the Amended Loud Stereo Ordinance.  Second by Council Member Piper.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving an Amendment to an Agreement with EMC. City Manager

Ron Neibert stated that this is regarding the electric utility in the O & M component of the contract. How it is paid and the changes. Motion by Council Member McEnaney to Adopt the Resolution Approving an Amendment to the O & M Agreement with EMC. Second by Council Member Piper. Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley. Council Member McEnaney stated that he would like to applaud EMC for bringing this to the City to allow us to purchase the electricity other than from the one supplier. This action should save both the City and EMC money.

MAYOR

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she had received a call from Sergeant Huff of the Illinois National Guard regarding the welcoming home for the returning soldiers that was scheduled for Friday has now been moved to Thursday. The group will meet in front of the Sears Store at 2:30 p.m. Foxtrot Company 634th will return. There will be an escort through town to the high school.  Anyone wishing to welcome back our soldiers is welcome to come out or stand along Broadway and show them we care.

Mayor Chesley announced that there would be a City Council Workshop Meeting on Monday, August 24, 2009 at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall.  This meeting is for discussion of the 6-month budget review and scheduling for Capital Projects.

CITY COUNCIL

Council Member Todd Piper spoke regarding the Chamber of Commerce “ Shop It Here” Program. He stated that it is a great idea and he hopes it is very successful.

Council Member Dennis McEnaney spoke regarding the boil water issues lately.  He stated that there have been an awful lot of them and he was wondering why. City Manager Ron Neibert explained that there are several reasons for main breaks this time of year and main breaks are what generally cause us to issue boil water orders. Mr. Neibert stated that also the fire department is testing all the hydrants in the City and that sometimes causes breaks in the mains.  He explained that the high heat or extra cold weather both cause the old lines in the City to break. A boil order must be issued until a sample has been sent to the lab and tested and comes back clear.  Then the boil order lift is issued. Mr. Neibert stated that he hopes through the Comprehensive Plan a lot of these lines can be identified and replaced in time. Mr. McEnaney stated that this does enforce the Comprehensive Plan.

Council Member McEnaney spoke regarding the Littering Ordinance. He stated that he did not receive an updated copy of the Ordinance. Mayor Chesley stated

that it should have been in his mailbox at City Hall. She stated that she would like for Council to review the Ordinance and then discuss it and make changes as needed.

VISITORS/ CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion by Council Member Piper to go into Executive Session to Discuss Personnel.  Second by Council Member McEnaney.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Council Member Piper to adjourn the Regular Session of the City Council Meeting following the Executive Session.  Second by Council Member McEnaney.  Yeas: McEnaney, Piper and Chesley.  Absent: Burgan and Wood.