City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Regular City Council Meeting

September 21, 2009

 

 

 

 

The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Monday, September 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order. Father Gene Tucker gave the invocation.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was given.

 

Roll call showed present: Council Member Mary Burgan, Council Member Dennis McEnaney, Council Member Todd Piper, Council Member David Wood and Mayor Mary Jane Chesley.

 

The journals for the September 8, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting and the September 14, 2009 City Council Workshop Meeting were presented for any additions, deletions or corrections.  Motion by Council Member Todd Piper to approve the journals for the September 8, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting and the September 14, 2009 City Council Workshop Meeting as presented.  Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

The Consolidated Vouchers for the Accounts Payable for September in the amount of $1,063,628.49 were presented for Council’s consideration. Council Member David Wood asked how much the City cleared from the surplus auction last week.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the figure was just under $54,000.00. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for September 2009 in the amount of $1,063,628.49 as presented.  Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

BIDS AND QUOTES

 

 

 

 

CITY MANAGER

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented Derrick Quitsch and Dawn Heacock as the Co-chairmen of the Southern Illinois Harvest Festival.  Mr. Quitsch spoke regarding the types of entertainment and activities that would be held this year for the festival. Mrs. Heacock told Council that there was going to be a pageant for ladies from 1 to 24 with winners in each age group. Mr. Quitsch spoke regarding the car show and the chili cook-off.  With the parade on the 17th at 2 p.m.  City Manager Ron Neibert asked Council for permission to close 9th Street from North Street to Casey Street, and Jordan Street from 10th Street to 7th Street between 7 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on October 17, 2009 and from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on October 18, 2009 for the Harvest Festival.  Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to approve the Street Closings as requested for the Harvest Festival. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

City Manager Ron Neibert presented a request from the Bob Trout Memorial Foundation to close North Old Union Lane between 9:00 a.m. on October 10, 2009 until 1:00 a.m. on October 11, 2009 for the Wolf Fest Celebration.  Mr. Travis Trout presented this request for the third annual fest. He stated that to date they have 11 bands scheduled. The roads will be closed off and identifications will be checked at the gates. There will be camping facilities available. Police Chief Mendenall stated that they have no issues with this festival being held again. Motion by Council Member David Wood to allow Wolf Fest to close the North Old Union Lane on the dates named for this celebration. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

CITY ATTORNEY

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Authorizing Water and Sewer Rate Increases.  City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this is the 3% increase that has been talked about by Council for quite a while.  It will not take effect until November 1, 2009. City Council Member David Wood stated that to explain these funds would be used only for water and sewer projects. Especially repair to old lines all over town. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-30, an Ordinance Authorizing Water and Sewer Rate Increases. Second by Council Member David Wood.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 9749 Bunny Farm Lane from Class AG to Class RM2. The petitioning party is William and Margaret Murphy.  Mr. And Mrs. Murphy stated that they would like to place a mobile home on the property to live in. They stated that there were no objectors present

 

 

at the Planning and Zoning Board meeting. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Todd Piper.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.  Motion by Council Member David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2009-31, an Ordinance Rezoning Property Located at 9749 Bunny Farm Lane from Class AG to Class RM2 for petitioning party William and Margaret Murphy.  Second by Council Member Dennis Mcnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.

 

MAYOR

 

CITY COUNCIL

 

VISITORS/ CITIZEN REQUESTS/ ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE

 

Mr. Steven Casper addressed Council regarding the raising of the water and sewer rates. Mr. Casper spoke about raising the taxes. He stated that the trash pick-up has increased 100% since last year. He wanted to know when enough was enough for the public.  He stated that the economy is in such bad shape. He stated that a lot of businesses have to lay people off to make ends meet, but the City has not laid any employees off to counter the expenses. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that we have not laid off employees, but there are shortages in nearly every department because we have not hired people to replace employees that have left or retired.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to adjourn this Regular Council Meeting.  Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney.  Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.