Regular City Council Meeting
August 18, 2008
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, August 18, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order. Reverend Travis Perry gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mike Walker.
The journal for the August 4, 2008, Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the Journal for the August 4, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for August 2008 in the amount of $ 1,218,629.36 were presented to Council for approval. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for August 2008 in the amount of $ 1,218,629.36 as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Ron Neibert introduced Police Chief Chris Mendenall to present a special award to one of the City Police Officers. Chief Mendenall stated that he would like to bestow upon Patrolman Nathan Franklin a Mt. Vernon Police Department Lifesaving Award honoring his actions, which saved the life of a man
who was being beaten by a crowd on March 12. Chief Mendenall gave the details of the altercation and stated that Patrolman Franklin went above and beyond his duties to step in and act. Patrolman thanked the Chief and left to go back out on patrol.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration the Preliminary and Final Plat for Macy Ruth Subdivision. Mr. Neibert stated that this is to Subdivide the property that Kroger is on into two lots. The dividing would allow future development near the fuel station. Mr. Danny Lethco, the Real Estate Manager for Kroger addressed Council regarding this request. Mr. Lethco stated that the main goal was to get the fuel station built and that has been done. This subdivision will allow other development later, but they are not sure at this time what type of development will be on the property. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Preliminary and Final Plat of Macy Ruth Subdivision as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood, Chesley. Absent: Walker.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration the Preliminary and Final Plat for Michael T. Moore’s First Subdivision. Mr. Jack Gilbert addressed Council regarding this request. Mr. Gilbert stated that this would divide one lot of 3 acres from the larger lot; this would leave 12.54 acres of the original lot. The property is located off Richview Road on the north side of the road, near the overpass. The owners are asking for a rezoning to R-1 later in the meeting. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Preliminary and Final Plat of the Michael T. Moore’s Subdivision. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Approval for the Motor Fuel Tax Funds Audit for the Year 2007. The audit was received last week and needs Council’s approval to finalize. Council Member David Wood asked if anything came from the audit that Council should know. Mr. Neibert stated that there is nothing that stands out and everything is within the guidelines of the IDOT. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the MFT Audit for the Year 2007 as Presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker.
City Manager Ron Neibert Requested that Council Hold an Executive Session following the Regular Meeting to Discuss Litigation.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 818 Warren Avenue from Class R2 to Class RM2. The petitioning party is Donald Sechrest. Mr. Sechrest’s brother Jeff Sechrest was present to represent Donald Sechrest. He
explained that this is his brother’s property and the family would like to have it rezoned so that a mobile home can be put on the property for their parents to live in. This would allow the family to take better care of their elderly parents. This property is actually outside the City Limits and there are several mobile homes located in this area. There were no objectors present at the Zoning Board Hearing, but there were two no votes from the Board. Mayor Chesley asked if anyone from the audience wanted to speak regarding this request. Mrs. Elvira Canzanella asked what part of town this was in. Mayor Chesley stated that it was 818 Warren Avenue. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2008-35, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 818 Warren Avenue From R2 to RM2 so a mobile home can be located on the property. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 10632 E. Richview Road from Class AG to Class R1. The petitioning party is Jack Gilbert. Mr. Gilbert addressed Council regarding this request. He stated that this is the same property that was just subdivided by Michael Moore. This would allow a home to be built on the property. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Adopt Ordinance # 2008-36, an Ordinance to Rezone Property Located at 10632 E. Richview Road from Class AG to Class R1 for petitioner Jack Gilbert. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 9405 E. Il Hwy 15 From Class AG to B2. The Petitioning Party is Norm Grande. Mr. Grande addressed Council saying that situations have changed and due to the economy right now, he will not be working on the travel park on this property. He hopes to go ahead with it in the future. This request is to rezone a portion of this property, 2.61 acres to allow for them to build storage buildings on the property. Mr. Grande explained that the units would be self-storage units and some of the units would be climate controlled. Mr. Grande stated that there were no objectors at the Zoning Board meeting. Council Member David Wood asked about the map, he wanted to know if this was rezoning the entire property or just the 2.61 acres. Council Member David Wood asked if this could be held for First Reading so he can drive back out and look at the property again.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for Church use for Property Located at 2604 Logan Street. The petitioning party is First Free Will Baptist Church. Attorney Curtis Martin was present to represent the church along with Church Trustee Jerry Neal. Mr. Martin stated that the church is asking for the Conditional Use for some property that they have purchased east of the church building. The church intends to use the property for “Church Related Use”. They have not drawn out specific plans at this time, but it will likely be to build an addition on to the church or to use the lot as a parking lot. Council Member David Wood asked if it would need a Conditional Use to have a parking lot. Council Member Shirilyn Holt stated that she would like to see specific plans. She would like to see what and where exactly. Council Member Mary Burgan asked how the church would get to the lot. Mr. Martin showed Council on a map the access to the extra lots. Mr. Martin again spoke of the phrase “ church related uses” for the Conditional Use. He stated that the church is in the planning stages. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that Council table this request for further plans and at that time, it can come back later with further information.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Property Located at 1020 Jones to Floyd Cunningham. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is some of the surplus property the City has and Mr. Cunningham owns the adjoining property and would like to own this property. Mr. Cunningham is paying $700.00 for the property. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to adopt Ordinance # 2008-37, an Ordinance Authorizing the Sale of Property Located at 1020 Jones Street to Floyd Cunningham. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley spoke regarding the construction at 34th Street to Water Tower Drive. Mayor Chesley has been asked why this does not connect to Jamison Drive. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this discourages people from using Jamison from 34th Street as a cut through. Jamison is a residential area. Mr. Neibert stated that also there is a wetland issue and they have to be replaced 5 to 1, or 2 ½ acres for ½ acre. Also there is a creek in the area. Mayor Chesley asked if there would be a problem with people near Halia Crest on the hill of 34th Street coming out, being able to see to pull out on 34th Street. Mr. Neibert stated that John Porter, City Engineer has stated that there is what is called an adequate site line for this. Meaning that there is the ability to see to pull out with no problem. Council Member David Wood asked if there would be stop signs at South Water Tower and 34th Street and also at Jamison. The Police Chief stated that he sees no potential problems. Council Member Shirilyn
Holt asked the finish date. The rock would be put down and it should be open for traffic in the next three months, but it will not be paved until next year.
VISITORS/ CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mrs. Elvira Canzanella spoke regarding the fine job Chris Collins is doing at the airport. She stated that she recently attended the Sentimental Journey Fly-In there and really enjoyed it. Getting the WWI aircraft to come to the airport is wonderful for the older residents. She is also glad to see the annual fly in that is coming up later.
Mrs. Canzanella also read an article where a student shot and killed a classmate who happened to be wearing girl clothes. She wondered how the student got by with bringing the gun to school.
Mayor Chesley commended Mrs. Canzanella for bringing her 40’s music and playing it for the crowd. Mayor Chesley stated that she too enjoyed the aircraft for the veterans and also the young people that went and learned about the war and the planes.
Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to go into Executive Session to Discuss Litigation and Personnel. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker.
Council returned from Executive Session at 9:00 p.m. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Walker.