Regular City Council Meeting
September 17, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order. The invocation was given by Reverend Ed Sprinkle.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.
The journals for the July 25, 2007 Workshop Meeting and the September 4, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting were presented to Council for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journals for the July 25, 2007 City Council Workshop Meeting and the September 4, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for September 2007 in the amount of $1,003,566.60 were presented to Council for consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for September 2007 in the amount of $1,003,566.60 as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
BIDS AND QUOTES
CITY MANAGER
City Manager Ron Neibert addressed Council saying that Mr. Eric White of DMI was to speak regarding the Downtown TIF Eligibility but he had called and would not be available tonight. Mr. Neibert stated that he would present Mr. White’s
report. Mr. White’s report stated that the area contains conditions that qualify it as a Conservation Area. The number of buildings that are 35 years old or older exceeds the statutory threshold of 50%, the prerequisite for a conservation area. Mr. Neibert stated that the area contains a relatively high incidence of at least four qualifying factors that also cause the area to qualify as a conservation area. The qualifying factors for the area are: AGE – 75% of the buildings are 35 years old or older. DETERIORATION- 62% of the parcels ads 58% of the buildings exhibit deterioration. EXCESSIVE LAND COVERAGE- 58% of the buildings exhibit excessive land coverage. LACK OF COMMUNITY PLANNING- The entire area 100% is affected by a lack of community planning. LOW EAV GROWTH- The area has not grown at the same rate as the remainder of the City for three of the past five years. Mr. Neibert stated that seven of the factors were found to exist within the Area with four existing to a qualifying degree. The three factors present, but not qualifying degree are: DILAPIDATION - 3% of the buildings exhibit dilapidation. OBSOLESCENCE - 2% of the buildings exhibit obsolescence. EXCESSIVE VACANCIES - 14% of the buildings exhibit excessive vacancies, 31% of the area consists of vacant lots that were once developed. Mr. Neibert stated that it was found that the Redevelopment Project Area contains conditions that qualify it and these parcels will continue to exhibit conditions that will worsen without a program of intervention to induce private and public investment in the area. The conditions that exist in the area are detrimental to the area and the long-term interests of the City and the other taxing districts. This tax inducement program should serve to reduce or eliminate the factors that cause the Area to qualify under the TIF Act as a Conservation Area.
It was determined that the area contains 207 residential units. The Act requires that if the redevelopment plan for a project area would result in the displacement of residents from 10 or more inhabited residential units, of if the redevelopment project area contains 75 or more inhabited residential units and the City is unable to certify that no displacement of residents will occur, the City shall prepare a Housing Impact Study. Mr. Neibert stated that the Council should review the findings of this memo and if satisfied, proceed with the recognition of these findings in conjunction with the preparation of the Housing Impact Study for the Downtown Redevelopment Area. Mr. White’s firm can then begin work on the Housing Impact Study prior to the presentation of the Eligibility Study at the October 1, 2007 meeting. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to proceed with the Housing Impact Study. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration the Request for Approval of a Motor Fuel Tax Funds Audit for Year 2006. Mr. Neibert stated that there was an $850.00 difference that IDOT said the City owed, so it’s just a matter of transferring funds from the General Corp Fund to cover the amount.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration the Final Plat for Chris Creed’s First Subdivision. Mr. Jack Gilbert was present to represent Mr. Creed. Mr. Gilbert stated that this is a resubdivision of two larger lots into 5 lots total. The three new lots front to Milam Heights Lane and the existing two lots front to East Fairfield Road. All of the lots are over 1 acre in size. There were no objectors at the Planning and Zoning Meeting. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to accept the Final Plat for the Chris Creed First Subdivision as presented. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Granting a Conditional Use for a Bed and Breakfast for property at 1812 Richview Road. The petitioning party is Larry Sidwell. Mr. Larry Sidwell, the owner of the property, addressed Council stating his plans to open a Bed and Breakfast at this address. Mr. Sidwell stated that he is working on redecorating the house for this purpose. Council Member Burgan asked how many rental rooms there would be on the property. Mr. Sidwell stated that there are three bedrooms on the property and he intends to limit the rentals to two rooms at a time. Mayor Chesley asked about the parking that had been discussed previously. Mr. Sidwell answered that there is a circle drive in front of the home and a drive in the rear there is parking also. Five cars can park at once and not block anyone else in. Council Member David Wood asked Mr. Sidwell if he planned on marketing the B & B via Internet. Mr. Sidwell stated that yes he was. He stated that he has used the Internet to find B & B’s himself to stay in and Mr. Wood concurred that he has also. Council Member Wood also asked if Mr. Sidwell would be on the premises when the rooms are rented. Mr. Sidwell stated that he would be present.
Mrs. Emily Ward Nixon spoke as the neighbor to this residence. Mrs. Nixon is against the use for the property in the residential neighborhood. Mrs. Nixon stated that one reason is that there are a large number of homes for sale in this neighborhood now and she feels that it is the B & B factor that is causing the residents to want to sell. Mrs. Nixon gave examples of three homes that have sold recently and the cost per square footage that they sold for. Mrs. Nixon asked Council to keep this a residential neighborhood rather than a business area. Mr. Dick Curtain spoke after Mrs. Nixon and said that his data shows that there have been 8 homes listed in the neighborhood since the B & B announcement. This equals 12% of the houses in the neighborhood. Mr. Curtain stated that he also checked other neighborhoods and the following figures represent what he found. Webster Hills 3%, Sleepy Hollow 4%, Kingsridge 5%, Queens Lake 4%, Lakewood Estates 4% and Woodglen Acres 10 houses.
Council Member David Wood stated that people think the neighborhood would decline but if you go 2 blocks one direction there are two gas stations, a liquor store, the YMCA, School offices and another direction there is the Childrens Home. Mr. Wood did thank Mrs. Nixon for the data she and Mr. Curtain presented.
Mr. Sidwell again addressed Council and stated that until someone asks the neighbors why they are selling, for what reason, before they can determine that this is because of the B & B.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that as there are objections to this and have been that First Reading only will be presented tonight.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 16996 Fairfield Road and 17016 Fairfield Road from Class AG to Class R-1. The petitioning party is Jack Gilbert for Chris Creed. Mr. Gilbert was present to represent Mr. Creed. Mr. Gilbert stated that the property discussed earlier as a Subdivision. This would allow homes to be built on the property. Mr. Gilbert asked for a suspension if Council would. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-50, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 16996 Fairfield Road and 17016 Fairfield Road from AG to R-1 for Chris Creed. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Annexing Surrounded Real Estate. City Manager Ron Neibert explained that this is off 42nd Street and encompasses the property that has the Heritage Woods Project and the proposed Pyramid Retirement Center Project. Mr. Neibert stated that it is completely surrounded by the corporate limits of the City and the property owners have no objection to this annexation. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Suspend the Rules To Vote On An Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve Ordinance # 2007-51, an Ordinance Providing For The Annexation Of Certain Real Estate To The City Of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration an Inducement Resolution Regarding Certain Property within the Proposed Downtown TIF. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is an inducement resolution to allow eligible expenses on the redevelopment on the second floor of the Rex. Mr. Jay Koch spoke about the plans to construct loft type units that can
be utilized in conjunction with events that are held on the first floor. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Inducement Resolution Regarding Certain Property Located at 820-824 Main Street within the Proposed Downtown TIF. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Attorney David R. Leggans presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving an Agreement between the City of Mt. Vernon and Alltel Cellular Service. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the City took proposals from five companies and based on the evaluation, service area and price involved it is recommended that the City go with a two-year agreement with Alltel. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution Authorizing Acceptance of a Proposal From Alltel. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
MAYOR
Mayor Chesley announced that the Southern Illinois Mayors Association was going to hold an “Ask Your Legislator” event September 18, 2007. State Legislators south of I-70 had been invited to attend this event in Mt. Vernon. The Mayor stated that a problem came up and the General Assembly was called back in session so the event had to be temporarily postponed.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley proclaimed the months of October, November and December United Way months in Jefferson County. The Mayor read the proclamation and presented it to Rhonda McCowen, Executive Director of South Central Illinois United Way.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member Mary Burgan commented regarding the confusion the last month concerning the Homestead TIF and how many residential TIFs the state has. She stated that Eric White the principal of DMI had contacted the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity last week and the City has received word that there are 42 exclusive residential TIFs in the state of Illinois right now.
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
Horton Petties spoke about the High School and the recent problems there. He feels it is time for the High School to have a uniform dress code.
Council Member Shirilyn Holt stated that there would be a school board meeting tomorrow and Mr. Petties should take his concerns to this meeting.
Mayor Chesley stated that she had attended a meeting last Thursday concerning the High School. It included the school board, county board, City Manager. She said it was quite long, but many good ideas were brought up. Another meeting is planned for October 11.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.