Regular City Council Meeting
August 6, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, August 6, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order and Bill Howard gave the invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley. Absent: Council Member Mary Burgan.
The journals for the October 3, 2005 City Council Executive Session, January 17, 2006 City Council Executive Session, May 11, 2006 City Council Executive Session, May 15, 2006 City Council Executive Session, May 31, 2006 City Council Executive Session, July 17, 2006 City Council Executive Session, September 13, 2006 City Council Executive Session, November 6, 2006 City Council Executive Session, November 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14, 2006 City Council Executive Sessions, November 29, 2006 City Council Executive Session, July 16, 2007 City Council Public Hearing, July 16, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting and the July 18, 2007 City Council Workshop Meeting were presented for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journals for the October 3, 2005 City Council Executive Session, January 17, 2006 City Council Executive Session, May 11, 2006 City Council Executive Session, May 15, 2006 City Council Executive Session, May 31, 2006 City Council Executive Session, July 17, 2006 City Council Executive Session, September 13, 2006 City Council Executive Session, November 6, 2006 City Council Executive Session, November 7, 8, 9, 10 and 14, 2006 City Council Executive Sessions, November 29, 2006 City Council Executive Session, July 16, 2007 City Council Public Hearing, July 16, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting and the July 18, 2007 City Council Workshop Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for August 2007 in the amount of $943,280.81 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for August 2007 in the amount of $943,280.81 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Ron Neibert asked Council for Permission to Seek Bids for an Excavator for the Public Works Department. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Grant Permission to Seek Bids for an Excavator for the Public Works Department. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Granting Conditional Use for a Cell Tower for Property at 7 Cusumano Plaza for Petitioning Party Alltel Communications, Inc. Motion by City Council Member Mike Walker to approve Ordinance # 2007-38 an Ordinance Granting Conditional Use for a Cell Tower for Property at 7 Cusumano Plaza for Petitioning Party Alltel Communications, Inc. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Granting Conditional Use for a RV Park for Property at 9405 E. IL Hwy. 15 for Petitioning Parties Norm and Karen Grande. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve Ordinance # 2007-39 an Ordinance Granting Conditional Use for a RV Park for Property at 9405 E. IL Hwy. 15 for Petitioning Parties Norm and Karen Grande. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 13224 N. Chestnut Lane from Class AG to I1 for Petitioning Party James P. Czerwinski. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-40 an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 13224 N. Chestnut Lane from Class AG to I1 for Petitioning Party James P. Czerwinski. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard stated that the next few items relate to TIF. The first item is the Inducement Resolution Regarding Certain Property Within a Proposed Downtown TIF. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is a Resolution to Authorize Mr. Robin Hensley’s renovation project on South 10th Street, the Dillon Building. Since the Downtown TIF has not been formed, this resolution will make any expenses he incurs from this date eligible when the TIF is certified eligible for reimbursement. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Inducement Resolution Regarding Certain Property Within a Proposed Downtown TIF. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard stated that the next items relate to the Homestead/Doe Valley Property. Mr. Howard stated there is three Ordinances for First Reading and a Resolution Requesting a Pubic Hearing. First item is First Reading on Ordinance Annexing Real Estate for the Homestead Property.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that these would be First Reading Only because we have had objectors all along and one Council Member is absent tonight. Mayor Chesley asked if anyone had comments to make this evening to please be brief as there would be a Second Reading at the next Council Meeting where all the Council Members would be present.
Marvin Oglesby of 23 Edgewood stated that he does not feel that the proposal as presented at this time will last or be successful. He does not think that the area will support that many entities. He feels that the property should remain R-1.
Pat Rettig of 16 Edgewood asked Council to please consider what had been discussed before and to leave the property as R-1.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that if anyone wanted a copy of the Redevelopment Agreement with Doe Valley, it is available in his office. Mr. Neibert also stated that he would be glad to discuss the Agreement with anyone who had questions.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard asked for direction for the Resolution Requesting a Public Hearing at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building, Veterans Park, Mt. Vernon, Illinois on Monday, August 20, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. for Consideration of the Homestead Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Project and Redevelopment Area of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt the Resolution Requesting a Public Hearing at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building, Veterans Park, Mt. Vernon, Illinois on Monday, August 20, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. for Consideration of the Homestead Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Project and Redevelopment Area of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley read a Proclamation for the 24th Annual National Night Out . She asked Police Chief Mendenall to tell a little about the event.
Police Chief Mendenall stated that National Night Out would be held August 7th at the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building. A cookout and various activities for children will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Mayor Chesley reminded everyone that the 36th Annual Sweet Corn Watermelon Festival would be August 10th thru the 19th.
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Absent: Burgan.