City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Public Hearing

December 21, 2009

 

 

 

 

The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Public Hearing at 6:45 p.m. in the Rolland W. Lewis Community Building at Veterans Park on December 21, 2009 at 6:45 p.m. 

 

The purpose of this Public Hearing was for Establishing a Maximum Levy Rate for Special Service Area # 1.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called this Public Hearing to order and turned the meeting over to City Manager Ron Neibert.

 

Mr. Neibert stated that this Public Hearing is a required hearing under the statutes. The subject is the proposed DMDC 1.64% rate. DMDC has asked the Council to double the rate for the coming year. Council is having this Public Hearing to discuss that request and hear public comments.

 

Rex Cusumano, Chairman of the DMDC, spoke regarding this request.  Mr. Cusumano stated that the original tax rate was .58% for several years then it went to .82%, which is what it is now.  Originally the SSA#1 was funded by Bonding.  The bonding funds have been exhausted and DMDC now relies on the taxing of the district. Mr. Cusumano stated that this is strictly a maintenance levy to keep the DMDC going. The income for several years was $ 43,845.00 it then went to $ 87,692.00 the income will go to $90,000.00 with this raise. The DMDC also has income from partners and several fundraisers. The fundraisers are the main portion of the income for DMDC. 

 

Mayor Chesley opened the floor for comments by the public.

 

Mr. Brian Edmison, owner of the Jefferson State Bank Building stated that he is 100% in support of this tax increase. He stated that there is still a lot of work to be done. He knows that this will raise his taxes, but he stated that it is worth it.

 

Attorney Terry Sharp spoke against the tax increase.  He did not want to be critical, but he stated that he originally supported the DMDC and SSA #1. In the last year they spent some $500,000.00 on benches and streetscape and he has never seen anyone sitting on the benches or watering the flowers. Of the $95,000.00 budget, $65,000.00 is salaries. Mr. Sharp stated that he believes they have good intentions, but he and many other businesses in the area do not depend on walk ins or do not want walk ins.  Mr. Sharp asked about the way the ballots were sent out, handled and weren’t done in a timely way.

 

Mr. Shawn Kowalski, Commander of the Mt. Vernon American Legion Post 141 spoke against the tax levy. Mr. Kowalski stated that his is a Not For Profit business and they get no money from walk ins either. The sidewalks in front of his business have not been fixed and they have a lot of problems with their own parking lot being used by people going downtown.  This is their private parking lot and at times, they cannot even use it for their meetings. The American Legion has been in business for 80 years and they bring a lot into the community. Mr. Kowalski also spoke regarding the handling of the ballots.  City Manager Ron Neibert asked about the American Legion not having to pay taxes. Mr. Kowalski stated that this was correct.  Mr. Kowalski stated that he also wants to see Mt. Vernon Downtown thrive, but he cannot support this increase in taxes.

 

Mrs. Laura Thacker, owner of the 9th Street Grill and also a resident of downtown Mt. Vernon spoke in favor of this tax.  Mrs. Thacker spoke stating that she has not received any set up money or grants to start her business. Mrs. Thacker stated that she agrees that at times parking is an issue for her business but she thinks the streetscape is wonderful and looks great.  She stated that she does see people sitting on the benches and using them. She stated that she does not understand why anyone in the group would not be supporting this levy.

 

Attorney Mark Hassakis spoke saying that it is a pleasure to be in the DMDC area. He is amazed at how far the downtown area has come.  It is great to see businesses in the downtown area. Bringing the old buildings back to life. Mr. Hassakis stated that he knows that there is a lot more to do but he hopes to continue to go forward. He is proud to see that the DMDC Members and owners are supporting this in their area.  He is in support of the levy increase.

 

Mrs. Susan Hughey owner and operator of Hughey Funeral Home stated that DMDC does still have a lot to do but that they have already done a lot. She stated that she wonders what downtown would be without the DMDC. DMDC is a lot of concerned people working toward a great downtown. Downtown Mt. Vernon needs to be kept up so that the property values stay up.

 

Mrs. Susan Bacon spoke in favor of the levy. She is a tax accountant on Jordan Street but she lives in Benton. She is new on the DMDC board and she also does not depend on walk in customers. Mrs. Bacon stated that the state of the downtown area reflects on the businesses in the area. No one likes to pay more taxes, however Mt. Vernon needs a thriving downtown. She is in support of this levy.

 

Mrs. Molly Federici of Physicians Filing Services spoke in support of the DMDC and the levy.  Mrs. Federici stated that she has owned this business for 23 years and lived in Mt. Vernon for 45 years. She stated that what you put into an area you get back out.  She also has no walk in customers. Mrs. Federici stated that she employs 80 employees and she is very proud of the community and the downtown area.

 

Mrs. Cindy Bevis of Bevis Realty addressed Council in support of the levy. She stated that her business does depend on walk ins. She has a lovely location with a lot of nice public parking near her office. She stated that she does disagree with Mr. Sharp regarding the benches and streetscape. She stated that she does see a lot of people sitting on the benches and enjoying the areas. Mt. Vernon is thriving right now and we need to keep that up.  She is in support of the levy.

 

Mrs. Barbara Hengle spoke regarding being a resident of the downtown area.  She is in support of the levy. She also thinks that downtown Mt. Vernon is thriving and growing.  She is very excited to see the renovations of the older buildings.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked the City Clerk to add in the minutes the contents of a letter received at City Hall today against the levy.  The letter was from Chuck Baldridge of Midwest Truck Accessories located downtown.  Mr. Baldridge is in opposition of the levy. He feels it would cause undue financial burdens on businesses that are already struggling in a tough economy. Mr. Baldridge stated that he had served on the DMDC Board for several years so he is aware of the good things that DMDC does for the area. He encouraged the pursuit of State and Federal Grants rather than a tax increase at this time.

 

Hearing no other comments from the audience or Council, Mayor Mary Jane Chesley closed this Public Hearing at 7:05 p.m.