Mt. Vernon City Council

City Council Recessed Special Meeting

March 15, 2010

The Mt. Vernon City Council resumed their Special City Council Meeting of March 8, 2010 following the Regular City Council Meeting of March 15, 2010.

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the Recessed Special City Council Meeting to order.   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. 

City Manager Ron Neibert stated that the 3^rd Quarter Budget Review was the next thing on the agenda when we recessed on March 8, 2010.  Mr. Neibert stated that out of the General Corporate Fund the operating cash balances were over the $1. Million until the City had to pay the $1. Million dollar commercial insurance in November. This left the operating cash balance at $660,717.00. He stated that the working fund balance has stayed over $1. Million. Mr. Neibert explained the actual revenues and actual expenditures as of 1/31/10. He explained the original budgeted deficit for 2009/2010 and the deficit for the nine months ending in 1/31/10. This showed the balance of restricted cash for capital purchase at $601,509.

Mr. Neibert then went to the Public Utilities Fund and explained the same accounts. Leaving the Balance of Restricted Cash for Capital Purchase at $119,809.

Council stated that they were glad to have these reports to be able to follow through the year.

Mr. Neibert stated that we are close to a 0 budget.

Finance Director Merle Hollmann discussed the GASB auditing for the State.  He stated that we are in the top 2% of the municipalities. Council Member David Wood stated that we are in good financial status right now. The State of Illinois owes us 4 months in back taxes at this time.

Discussion was held regarding littering in the City.  This has been a cause of concern for quite a while and it appears to be getting worse.

City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he thinks that the litter Ordinance needs to be adjusted and strict fines imposed. Possibly put up signs saying that littering will be enforced.  Council Member David Wood spoke about the litter cans downtown and asked just whom these items should be reported to.

The old Adopt a Street Program was discussed.

The Keep Mt. Vernon Beautiful Pick Up Day was discussed. Council discussed recycling and why the schools are not doing that any longer. It was funded and handled by Bright and Beautiful.

Discussion was held about when people put out chairs, couches, etc. we should post them and give them so many hours to have it hauled off then the City pick it up and charge them a fee.

Discussion was held regarding cleaning up alleys, etc. Not just the one-day a year City Wide Pick Up.  

Discussion was held regarding the faded ribbons left out on poles.  The people that put them up after so many days should take them down.

Permits for rummage sales were discussed.  A possible way to make sure people take down their signs after the sales. City Manager Ron Neibert stated that he had checked into Fairview Heights rummage Ordinance.

Council Member Todd Piper asked about the street sweeper cleaning on Broadway and Main Streets. They are State highways. Also Council discussed the mowing of the ROW near the interstates because the State is not doing it as often as they need.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Council Member David Wood to adjourn this Recessed Special City Council Meeting. Second by Council Member Dennis McEnaney. Yeas: Burgan, McEnaney, Piper, Wood and Chesley.