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Mt. Vernon council approves $1.55M in vouchers, awards downtown streetscape contract and appoints Jay Tate
Summary
At its June 2 meeting, the Mt. Vernon City Council approved $1,554,475.09 in consolidated vouchers, awarded contracts for a downtown streetscape and citywide pavement marking, authorized bids and purchases for several infrastructure and IT needs, and confirmed the appointment and swearing‑in of Jay Tate to the council.
The Mt. Vernon City Council on Monday approved $1,554,475.09 in consolidated vouchers, awarded bids for downtown sidewalk and curb work and citywide pavement marking, authorized several procurement steps for public projects, and confirmed the appointment of Jay Tate to the council.
Mayor John Lewis opened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at City Hall. The council approved the May 19 meeting minutes and heard a brief presentation from Tatorie Marion, Public Affairs Specialist with the U.S. Small Business Administration, who urged residents affected by recent weather events to apply for low‑interest disaster loans at "SBA.gov/disaster." No council questions followed.
On formal motions, the council approved consolidated vouchers for accounts payable totaling $1,554,475.09 (motion by Council Member Joe Gliosci, seconded by Council Member Donte Moore). The meeting record shows the vote as Yeas: Gliosci, Moore and Lewis; Council Member Mike Young was absent.
City Manager Nathan McKenna presented public‑works procurement items. The council awarded the 2025 Mt. Vernon Downtown Streetscape Project (sidewalks and curbs on Harrison from 9th Street to Johnson Alley) to Luke Rollie Concrete for $91,939, the lowest of four bids; the motion passed unanimously among those present. The council also accepted a low bid from America’s Parking Remarking, LLC of $13,557.44 to perform approximately 100,000 linear feet of pavement marking on the city's west side. McKenna additionally asked for permission to seek qualifications for construction management services for the planned Indoor Recreation Center; council approved moving forward with a Request for Qualifications. McKenna said the city expected a contract from FGMA for architectural services soon.
McKenna reported ongoing problems with the Richview Road sanitary sewer and recommended seeking bids to reline the section. Staff estimated the not‑budgeted repair at approximately $97,625, to be paid from the Sewer Fund; the council authorized seeking bids. The council also waived bidding requirements to purchase a budgeted replacement server from Kunce Computer for $33,559.
The council approved a street closure request for Perkins Avenue between 10th and 12th Streets on June 20, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Papa Knock’s 1st Anniversary car show.
Mayor Lewis presented Dan Plumb for appointment to the Police Pension Board; the council approved the appointment. Later in the meeting, with the endorsement of outgoing Councilman Ray Botch, Lewis nominated Jay Tate to complete Botch’s term. The council approved Tate’s appointment (motion by Joe Gliosci, seconded by Donte Moore), City Clerk Becky Barbour administered the oath, and Tate took his seat at the dais. Tate thanked the mayor, council members and his family and said he "looks forward to doing the best for this City that he loves and has been a part of his entire life."
In closing remarks, Mayor Lewis praised the Grand Opening of the Commons, thanked departments, downtown merchants and event partners including Midwest Music of Marion, and said the DORA program and other logistics went smoothly: "We have received nothing but great feedback from the professional stage, great sound equipment, masterful lighting show, great performances and a huge crowd." Council Member Joe Gliosci reiterated praise for the event and welcomed Tate to the council. The meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
Votes at a glance: Approved consolidated vouchers — $1,554,475.09 (Yeas: Gliosci, Moore, Lewis; Young absent). Awarded Downtown Streetscape Project to Luke Rollie Concrete — $91,939 (unanimous among present). Awarded pavement marking contract to America’s Parking Remarking, LLC — $13,557.44 (unanimous among present). Granted permission to seek RFQs for construction management (Indoor Recreation Center). Authorized seeking bids for Richview Road sanitary sewer relining (staff estimate $97,625; funds: Sewer Fund). Waived bidding and approved server purchase from Kunce Computer — $33,559. Approved Perkins Avenue street closure for June 20, 2025. Appointed Dan Plumb to the Police Pension Board. Appointed and swore in Jay Tate to the City Council.
Next step: staff will issue solicitations and return to council with contract awards, bid results, or further recommendations as those processes conclude.
