City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois

Special City Council Meeting

March 1, 2011

 

 

 

The Mt. Vernon City Council met for a Special City Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley called the meeting to order at 11:20 a.m.  Council was waiting on the Channel 3 News people.

 

City Clerk Jackie Sharp read the “Notice of Special Council Meeting.”  The notice read as follows: “I, Mayor Mary Jane Chesley, hereby call a Special Meeting of the Mt. Vernon City Council on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1100 Main Street, Mt. Vernon, Illinois.  The purpose of this meeting is for such action as Council may desire on the following matters:  1.  Approval of a Resolution in Support of a Referendum for a New Mt. Vernon High School.”  Dated in Mt. Vernon, Illinois this 25th day of February, 2011.  Signed Mayor Mary Jane Chesley and Council Member Dennis McEnaney, Council Member David Wood, Council Member Todd Piper and Council Member Mary Burgan.

 

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.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley read the Resolution that is under Council’s consideration. 

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley asked Council if they had any comments or questions.  Council Member Dennis McEnaney stated that this is a very exciting moment and he believes that a new school will make a strong impact in the City.  He stated that he was very happy to be involved in this Resolution.

 

Council Member David Wood stated that he was very much in support of this Resolution and the New High School. He also commended the #201 School Board for their getting the information out to the voters. He stated that it wasn’t a hard decision when it came to $31 million to renovate the old buildings or $20 million dollars to build a new school in a new location.

 

Council Member Mary Burgan stated that she had some concerns about this issue.  She stated that she has an 11 year old son and will be using the school before very long. She stated that the old school looks like tired, old buildings and a new school would be so nice. We are a growing City and it needs to show.  She too commended the school and the School Board for all of their hard work.

 

Council Member Todd Piper stated that he also has a child that will soon be going to high school and he would like to see a new facility and location. He wanted to thank the #201 Board for all of their hard work and diligence. He stated that the funding is there and they have an exit plan for the current school buildings. He is glad to invest in Mt. Vernon and its future.

 

Mayor Mary Jane Chesley stated that she had spent 33 years at the high school teaching. She stated that the high school is a good facility and it has had its share of good years.  It is now time to build for the future. She stated that she appreciates all of the planning that has gone into this project.  It has taken a lot of teamwork and it wasn’t easy to do. It has taken 9 or 10 months of planning and growth. Mayor Chesley stated that she especially likes the fact that the school is going after outside funding sources.  The State money or Federal monies that may be at use.  She stated that the City takes full advantage of these outside funds. It has shown in the past couple of years with projects that the City has done in the last few years. This will be such a nice project for the school, the students and the quality of life issues that it will reflect on. She thanked the Board and Committee for what they have done. 

 

Mayor Chesley showed some pictures of the proposed new school buildings.  They were artist renderings. She stated that she and Council like what they see.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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