Regular City Council Meeting
September 4, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council met in Regular Session on Tuesday, September 4, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Building at Veterans Park.
Reverend Jerry Van Houtin gave the Invocation.
The Pledge of Allegiance was given.
Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Regular Meeting to order. 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 August 20, 2007 City Council Public Hearing and the August 20, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting were presented for any additions, deletions or corrections. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the journals for the August 20, 2007 City Council Public Hearing and the August 20 2007 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 2007 in the amount of $ 600,465.40 were presented for Council’s consideration. Motion by Council Member David Wood to approve the Consolidated Vouchers for Accounts Payable for September 2007 in the amount of $ 600,465.40 as presented. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert reported that bids for the excavator had been opened on August 16, 2007 and were as follows:
Erb Equipment $ 89,412.00
Diamond Equipment $ 98,864.00
Mr. Neibert stated that staff recommends to accept the low bid from Erb Equipment in the amount of $ 89,412.00. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to accept the low bid of Erb Equipment in the amount of $ 89,412.00 for the Excavator. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert requested Reallocation of Funds for the 2007/2008 Budget. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Approve the Reallocation of Funds for the 2007/08 Budget as requested. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration a Request for Permission to Seek Bids for One New Squad Car. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to Grant Authorization to Seek Bids for One New Squad Car. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert presented for Council’s consideration Preliminary and Final Plat for Gunner Energy Corporation’s First Subdivision. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to approve the Preliminary and Final Plat for Gunner Energy Corporation’s First Subdivision. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
City Manager Ron Neibert requested an Executive Session be held following the Regular City Council Meeting for Discussion of Personnel Matters as it relates to employee benefits.
CITY ATTORNEY
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the Second Reading of an Ordinance Vacating A Street Within The City of Mt. Vernon. Attorney Don Musick and Roy Schmidt representing St. Mary Church each made brief statements. Motion by Council Member David Wood to adopt Ordinance # 2007-45 An Ordinance Vacating A Street Within the City of Mt. Vernon. 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 Regarding Parking Violation Fees Within the City of Mt.
Vernon. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley. Motion by Council Member Mike Walker to Approve Ordinance # 2007-46 An Ordinance Regarding Parking Violation Fees Within the City of Mt. Vernon. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Approving the Homestead Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project. Motion by Council Member David Wood 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 David Wood to Adopt Ordinance # 2007-47 an Ordinance Approving the Homestead Tax Increment Financing Redevelopment Plan and Redevelopment Project. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Resident Pat Rettig asked for clarification on the Doe Valley entrances. Several other residents voiced concerns regarding the Doe Valley Project.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration the First Reading of an Ordinance Designating the Homestead Tax Increment Financing Project Area. 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 Approve Ordinance # 2007-48 an Ordinance Designating the Homestead Tax Increment Financing Project Area. Second by Council Member Mike Walker. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Several residents reiterated their feelings concerning Doe Valley. One resident questioned if there were any other TIFs in Illinois that were exclusively residential. City Manager Neibert answered that he wasn’t sure, but there are mixed TIFs.
Mayor Chesley voiced her concerns with residential TIFs and stated that she is not in favor of them as there is only one being developed now in the State.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard stated that this is item 9-E, which is First Reading of an Ordinance adopting Tax Increment Financing. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Suspend the Rules to Vote on an Ordinance. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker and Wood. No: Chesley. Motion by Council Member David Wood to Accept Ordinance # 2007-49 an Ordinance Adopting Tax Increment Financing. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker and Wood. No: Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration a Resolution Approving Extension of Jung Trucking Revolving Loan. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that this extension was approved and recommended by the revolving loan fund committee unanimously. Mr. Neibert also stated this loan was originally approved 5 years ago as a 5 year loan with a balloon payment based on a 15 year amortization. The company is asking to extend out the loan for the
balance of the 10 years remaining under the original 15-year amortization. Their loan payment will remain the same. Jung Trucking has a perfect record of payment with no delinquencies and has performed in accordance with the original loan agreement. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to Approve the Resolution Approving the Extension of the Jung Trucking Revolving Loan. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration an Inducement Resolution Regarding Property at 826-830 Main Street relative to a proposed downtown TIF. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that Liberty Land Group is the land holding company owned by Jay Koch who is proposing to take this property and redevelop it under the TIF guidelines. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to approve the Inducement Resolution Regarding Certain Property at 826-830 Main Street Within a Proposed Downtown TIF. Second by Council Member David Wood. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
Corporation Counsel Bill Howard presented for Council’s consideration an Inducement Resolution Regarding Certain Property at 1419 S. 10th Street Within a Proposed Downtown TIF. Motion by Council Member Mary Burgan to approve the Inducement Resolution Regarding Certain Property at 1419 S. 10th Street Within a Proposed Downtown TIF. Second by Council Member Shirilyn Holt. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
MAYOR
Mayor Chesley gave a status report on the Logan Street paving project.
Mayor Chesley stated that September 15 and 16 is the third annual American Legion Riders State Rally here in Mt. Vernon. Mayor Chesley said she believed that this is the first time that the rally has been held here, it is normally held in the northern part of the state.
Also, Mayor Chesley announced that there would be a Movie in the Park, which will be The Wizard of Oz on September 14.
CITY COUNCIL
Council Member David Wood reminded everyone that the Cedarhurst Craft Fair will be held this Saturday and Sunday September 8 & 9 from 10:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. each day.
VISITORS/CITIZEN REQUESTS/ADDRESSES FROM THE AUDIENCE
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion by Council Member David Wood to go into Executive Session to discuss personnel. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.
ADJOURNMENT
Council returned from Executive Session at 9:20 p.m. Motion by Council Member Shirilyn Holt to adjourn. Second by Council Member Mary Burgan. Yeas: Burgan, Holt, Walker, Wood and Chesley.