Regular City Council Meeting
August 4, 2008
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, August 4, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order. Ms. Tammy Meyer gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan and Council Member Shirilyn Holt.
The journal for the July 21, 2008, Regular City Council Meeting was presented to Council for any additions, corrections or deletions. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journal for the July 21, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for August 2008 in the amount of $599,549.85 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for August 2008 in the amount of $ 599,549.85 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that bids had been received for the final phase of the sidewalk project on the west side of the City. Mr. Neibert stated that this phase was for the N. 44th Street/ Mateer Drive Sidewalk Project. The project will be funded by the hotel/motel tax. There were 6 bidders on the project. The bids were as follows:
Guinzy Const. - Ashley, Il. $ 146,468.45
Rex Brieseacher Const. - Mt. Vernon $ 99,664.77
Gentry Excav. - Mt. Vernon $ 127,165.11
Sheridan Conc. - Mt. Vernon $ 132,374.00
G. Jones Exc. - Marion, IL $ 160,271.13
J.K. Trotter & Sons - Mt. Vernon $ 147,816.95
The Engineer’s Estimate for the job was $ 120,058.26. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that The Engineer’s recommendation was to award the contract to the low bidder, Rex Brieseacher Construction in the amount of $ 99,664.77. Mr. Neibert concurred. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the low bid from Rex Brieseacher Construction of Mt. Vernon, IL in the amount of $ 99,664.77 for the N. 44th Street and Mateer Drive Sidewalk Project as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the Finance Department has received bids for an IBM AS400 Server, software, storage media, etc. Finance Director Merle Hollmann stated that the server AS400 that we now are using is several years old. Bids were received from three companies. The total bids are as follows:
Sirius Computer Solutions
Westchester, IL $ 35,314.12
Mainline Information Systems
Oakbrook Terrace, IL $ 34, 749.28
Logicalis Intergration Solutions
Lisle, IL $ 41,675.38
Mr. Hollmann stated that the estimate was $ 36,300.00. Mr. Hollmann stated that this is the server for City Hall and payroll, accounts payable and billing all goes through this server. The quotes also include extended maintenance for the equipment. Mr. Hollmann stated that the bids came in under the estimated amounts. Mr. Hollmann recommended the acceptance of the low bid from Mainline Information Systems of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois in the amount of $ 34,749.28. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he concurs. Motion by Council Member David Wood to accept the low bid from Mainline Information Systems in the amount of $ 34,749.28 for the server and equipment needed for the AS400. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Authorization to Seek Financial Quotes for Capital Equipment and Projects. Mr.
Neibert stated that the City would be seeking financing for a four-year term for the following items:
General Corporate
General Government – IBM Server 515 $ 31,000.
Parks Dept. – Front-mount mower $ 14,000.
Public Works – Hot Mix Patcher $ 54,000.
Public Works - (2) 3-ton Dump Trucks $ 24,792.
Public Works - (2) Tandem Dump Trucks $ 28,602.
Public Utilities – TV Camera & Trailer $ 45,000.
_ Used pick-up Truck (meter readers) $ 10,000.
_ Portable Pump for Lift Sta # 14 $ 67,455.
TOTAL TO BE FINANCED FOR 4-YEARS $274,849.
The City will be seeking financing for a ten-year term for the following item:
General Corporate - General Govt Public Works/Public Utilities Building
$ 175,000.
The City will be seeking financing for a ten-year term with a twenty-year amortization for the following item:
Public Utilities Dewatering Project $868,921.
Mr. Neibert stated that the dewatering project needs to be completed by September, so there is a need to set up the financing soon.
Council Member David Wood asked if the new tax increases would be used to pay for a portion of these projects. City Manager Neibert stated that they would be. Mr. Wood asked if the items are all in the Capital part of the budget. Councilman Wood asked if when the tax monies begin coming in, if they could be all put into a fund or set aside for Capital Projects only, and could this be put into an Ordinance form. That way there could be an absolute audit of the funds that come in, an accountability of the use.
Mayor Chesley agreed that this should be done and it has been discussed. This would make it official.
Council Member Mike Walker stated that this would also tie in with a long term capital budget for projects like these. Council Member Walker asked if leasing some of the equipment or vehicles could be looked into, and if it were cost saving to lease instead of buying. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that leasing has been looked into and it was not going to save funds.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to Grant Authorization to Seek Financial Quotes for Capital Equipment and Projects. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that there is a Request to Close North Old Union Lane from 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 22nd through 6:00 a.m. Sunday, August 24th for a Fundraising Memorial in Memory of Bob Troutt. Mr. Troutt’s son Travis addressed Council regarding this request. He stated that the tickets are $20.00 per person and they will be checking tickets and ID’s at the two gates into the area. There will be some camping available and lots of music, food vendors and just memorializing Bob. There will be no alcohol sold there or served, but coolers are welcome in for those of drinking age. Some of the funds raised will be given to veterans and also to the Cancer Society. Bob always had a big birthday party and his birthday is August 26th so this is near his birthday time. There will be some off duty firemen on site and the music will be stopped at midnight. They will call the festival “Wolfstock”. There will be only 500 tickets. Council asked several questions about the party, security, etc. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Grant the Request to Close North Old Union Lane from 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 22nd through 6:00 a.m. Sunday, August 24th for “Wolfstock” a Fundraiser in Memory of Bob Troutt. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Authorization to Seek Bids for a New Roof for the Municipal Building West. Mr. Neibert stated that the roof at that location has been in bad shape for several years and is in need of repair or replacement. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Authorize the City Manager to Seek Bids to Repair or Replace the Roof at the Municipal Building West. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented a Request to Close 9th Street from Harrison to Jordan between 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on October 18, 2008 for the Southern Illinois Harvest Festival. Derrick Quitsch Chairman of the Committee for the Harvest Festival was present to speak about the Festival. Mr. Quitsch stated that this street closing would be for the arts & crafts, the vendors and children games, etc. The parade route will be the same as the Watermelon Festival route has always been. Mr. Quitsch was told to get the routes together and give them to Jane in the Mayor’s office so she can prepare the papers that need to go to the State. Council decided to hold this for next meeting to get more information presented to them.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 1221 N. 9th Street from Class I1 to Class RM2. The Petitioning Party is Dennis Robinson. Mr. And Mrs. Robinson were present to discuss this request. Mr. Robinson explained that there was an old home on the property and they would like to place a mobile home on this property. The property is actually outside the City
limits, but still in the jurisdiction of the City’s zoning. Mrs. Robinson passed out plats and pictures of the property so Council could see where the property is and how it looks now. Mr. Robinson stated that he has not purchase a mobile home for the property yet. Mrs. Robinson stated that there are several other mobile homes in the area of this lot. Council Member David Wood asked what constitutes the difference of modular homes and mobile homes. Corporation Counsel Bill Howard stated that he believes that a mobile home stays on wheels and axles, where a modular home sits on a foundation without wheels and axles. Mr. Wood spoke about recommending that all mobile homes be put in mobile home parks, rather than on individual lots. This is something that should be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan Study. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance 2008-33, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 1221 N. 9th Street from Class I1 to Class RM-2 for Dennis Robinson. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Second Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing a Lake Miller Lease to Larry Johnston. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is a landlocked piece of property but it adjoins a piece of property Mr. Johnston owns. Therefore he would have access to the lease. The property has not been leased for several years. Mr. Johnston stated that he would like to be able to use this property for recreation. The piece of property is on the North end of Miller Lake. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve Ordinance # 2008-34, an Ordinance Leasing Property at Lake Miller to Larry Johnston. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.
CITY COUNCIL
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Mr. Bobbie Farris of Mt. Vernon addressed Council in regards to congratulating General Tire for getting the funds to build on to the plant. Mr. Farris spoke about how it isn’t easy to be the Mayor of the City. Mr. Farris stated that the Mayor now understands our needs and problems of the area now. He stated that it is not easy dealing with people in general.
Police Chief Chris Mendenall spoke in regards to the “ Police Department National Night Out” to be held tomorrow night, Tuesday August 5th at Veterans Park from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Chief Mendenall stated that the City has had this for the kids for several years. There will be a cookout and a lot of games and entertainment for children. Chief Mendenall invited everyone to come out and have fun with the Police.
Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan and Holt.