City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois
Regular City Council Meeting
September 2, 2008
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 2, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order and 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 Mike Walker, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.
The journal for the Regular City Council Meeting of August 18, 2008 was presented for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the journal for the August 18, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting as presented. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
The Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for September 2008 in the amount of $ 526,775.02 were presented for Council’s consideration. Council Member Mike Walker asked why the bill for Office Furniture Warehouse was rather high in the amount of $ 3,198.93. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this bill runs high due to purchase for individual offices and also due to the large purchases of copy paper purchased when it is needed. Council Member Walker asked if Midwestern Propane was the company that did the fire training at Scott Air Force Base. Mr. Neibert stated that yes it was. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for September 2008 in the amount of $ 526,775.02 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert reported that only one bid was received for the Roof Project at the Municipal West Building. Mr. Neibert stated that the job had been advertised in the newspapers and some bid sheets had been mailed out to interested parties. Mr. Neibert stated that the bid received was from Black Construction Services, Inc. in the amount of $30,500.00. Mr. Neibert stated that this bid is below the estimated cost of the project and he recommended the acceptance of the bid from Black Construction Services, Inc. for the Muni-West Building Re-roofing Project. Mayor Chesley asked if Council had any questions regarding this Bid. None were heard. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Accept the Bid from Black Construction Services, Inc. in the amount of $ 30,500.00 for the Re-Roofing Project for the Municipal West Building. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
CITY ATTORNEY
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Second Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 9405 E. IL Hwy 15 from Class AG to Class B2. The petitioning party is Norm Grande. Mr. Grande was present to explain that this is just a portion of his property he owns where he had proposed to build a travel trailer park. Mr. Grande stated that due to high gasoline prices, people aren’t traveling as much right now and so he has decided to hold off on the travel trailer park for now. He stated that he hopes to again present that plan to Council, but for now he would like to build self-storage buildings to rent out. Mr. Grande is proposing to build 4 buildings with about 120 units to rent. Council Member Mike Walker thanked Mr. Grande for the presentation he had prepared for this request, but asked if he had any photos of what the actual buildings would look like. Mr. Grande stated that he did have an artist drawing and proceeded to show Council the picture. He stated that some of the units will be climate controlled so clients can rest assured that their items will not be subject to heat or cold. Corporation Counsel Howard stated that this request would obviate this portion of the C/U for this piece of property, just this small section. It was explained that when the RV Park is worked on, the pool, playground and office area will be moved over to the south. The RV Park will be more on the order of 100 some parking spaces rather than the 516 originally planned. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2008-38, an Ordinance Amending Article 21 of Ordinance # 66-12, Changing the Zoning
from AG to B2, Secondary Business for Property Located at 9405 E. IL Hwy 15 for Petitioner Norm Grande. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Amending the Administrative Fee Ordinance. City Manager Ron Neibert explained that this is a fee that the Police Department is allowed to collect when a vehicle is towed and stored. This is only when the driver is arrested and the vehicle will be left on the site. It is a processing fee and will have to be paid before the vehicle is let out of tow or storage. Council Member Shirilyn Holt asked if the driver is found not guilty, can the fee be reimbursed. City Manager Neibert stated that it could be. Mr. Neibert stated that the department had about 350 tows per year the last two years. Police Chief Chris Mendenall stated that there is a lot of paperwork involved in the towing, storage and processing of these vehicles and this would allow the department to recoup some of it’s expense. Chief Mendenall stated that some departments charge $500.00 to process. First Reading was held.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Regarding Temporary Signs. City Manager Ron Neibert explained that this Ordinance is actually a revisit of a previous proposed Ordinance. Mr. Neibert recommended holding this to First Reading. If passed, this Ordinance would take effect December 1, 2008. That would preclude the political signs for the November election. Council Member David Wood suggested that this Ordinance should exclude not for profit organizations and churches, etc. Council Member Mike Walker asked why this is an issue. The placing of signs in the right-of-way inhibits the view on street corners and driveways for traffic. Many of the signs are political and real estate signs and garage sale signs, which are all temporary signs. Signs placed on private property would have to be done with the property owner’s permission. One sign per candidate, per event, per advertised message would be all that is allowed. No sign exceeding 32 square feet would be allowed. Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked if anyone in the audience had any comments or questions. Attorney Don Irvin addressed Council by saying that Council is looking for a solution to a non- existing problem. Irvin also disagreed with the 10 days to take the signs down after the event. He stated that he and the Democratic Party agreed that 14 days is more realistic.
Realtor Cheryl Foley stated that she feels that the City is harming the realtor’s ability to do business. Mrs. Foley asked Council to give this more consideration as she does not feel this is a really big problem. Realtor Connie Lee said that the issue had started with political signs and she doesn’t understand how the ordinance now includes real estate signs. Council Members Mike Walker and David Wood each commented on the signs put in right-of-ways. Mr. Wood asked
why he should have to allow signs put in front of his house right-of-way. He stated that he does not own it, but he mows and maintains the property. Council Member Shirilyn Holt stated that she does agree that something needs to be done, especially with rummage sale signs. She stated that she saw a lady putting up a sign and balloons on a traffic signal light. Corporation Counsel Bill Howard stated that no one has the right to use the right-of-way for personal or promotional reasons. Mrs. Foley asked Council to allow more time to read the ordinance and discuss the issue before a vote is taken. Mayor Chesley stated that copies of the proposed ordinance could be picked up at City Hall, City Clerk’s Office. First Reading was held.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Authorizing a Disposal Agreement with Perry Ridge Landfill, Inc. City Manager Ron Neibert explained that this Resolution is so that EMC can take the wastewater treatment plant sludge to the Perry Ridge Landfill for disposal. This agreement is for 15 years. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Resolution Authorizing the Agreement for the Disposal of the wastewater treatment plant sludge with Perry Ridge Landfill, Inc. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Internal Revenue Code Section 414 (h) (2) Employer Pick up Agreement between the City of Mt. Vernon and the Mt. Vernon Firefighters Pension Plan. It was explained that this agreement makes the pension contributions tax deferred. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Resolution Approving the Internal Revenue Code 414 (h) (2) Employer Pick Up Agreement between the City of Mt. Vernon and the Mt. Vernon Firefighters Pension Plan. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member David Wood spoke regarding phone calls he had received regarding the area between Sunset Drive and the K-Mart lot. He stated that the residents complained that K-Mart is not keeping the weeds mowed and cleaned up between their yards and the parking lot. The area had been posted for weeds. K-Mart thought the City had an agreement to keep the area cut and cleaned up, but after researching back to 1972, there was not an agreement found. K-Mart has contracted with someone to do the mowing and clean-up work.
Reverend Travis Perry asked how to get rid of old cans of paint. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that once in a while there would be a special pickup for things like that. It will be publicized before the pickup.
Mr. Perry spoke regarding the Christmas in the Park Project stating that the 12 churches from last year would all be back this year. They hope to have even more churches join in to make it bigger and better. Last year 3,300 people went through the display.
City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the next to the last week of October would be the fall clean-up week in the City.
Mrs. Elvira Canzanella spoke regarding the Travel Trailer Park Mr. Grande has proposed. She also spoke regarding the sign ordinance and she asked what the AG, B2, R2 means regarding property. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that they are Zoning Classifications and if she would come to City Hall she could pick up a copy of what they are and what they mean.
City Manager Ron Neibert introduced James Reisingberg, a Boy Scout with Troop 103 who has been observing the meeting tonight. Mr. Neibert asked James if he would like to speak. Mr. Reisenberg stated that he was very interested in the meeting and had learned several things that he did not know. The sign ordinance interested him because he does not like them and has to move them to mow also. He stated that it’s good to see how the Council works and interacts on subjects.
Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to adjourn this Regular City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.