Mount Vernon council approves water contracts, hears housing study and OKs park utility relocation

The Mount Vernon City Council on Oct. 2 unanimously approved low bids to build a replacement water tower and to replace city water lines, authorized a utility relocation for the Downtown Park, approved a field‑use agreement with Mount Vernon Township High School District No. 201, and heard results from a housing needs assessment.

City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel told the council the low bid to replace the L & N water tower (IEPA project LL175591) came from Caldwell Tanks, Inc., of Louisville, Kentucky, at $2,954,900 — roughly $1 million over the engineer’s estimate. Bechtel said the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is working with the city to provide a contract to cover the shortfall and staff outlined financing options, including 20‑ or 30‑year loans at about 1.36% interest. The council granted permission to accept the bid results; the award will go to IEPA for approval.

Bechtel also presented results for IEPA project LL175592 to replace water lines. J.K. Trotter & Sons, Inc., of Mount Vernon was the low bidder at $2,976,029, about $87,924 over the engineer’s estimate. Bechtel noted the city will receive $1.25 million in loan forgiveness on that loan. The council granted permission to accept the low bid.

The council approved consolidated accounts payable vouchers totaling $1,163,180.29 earlier in the meeting.

On park work, Bechtel said the city must relocate overhead electric facilities along an alley to build the Downtown Park and requested authorization to spend $69,698.59 for Ameren to perform the relocation; the cost was not included in the park’s $2.3 million building estimate and will be paid from park project funds. The council approved the expenditure.

Bechtel also requested and the council approved a street closure for a nonprofit Christian resale car show on North 3rd Street between Main and Harrison from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 21. The council approved a resolution formalizing a baseball field use agreement with Mount Vernon Township High School District No. 201 for Brennan Klein Field at Cusumano Sports Complex at Lincoln Park; staff members Nathan McKenna (assistant city manager) and Parks Director Chelise Bray had worked on the agreement, City Manager Bechtel said.

The council heard a presentation on housing needs from Sierra Daniels, executive director of the Mount Vernon Housing Authority, who overviewed the city’s current housing status and needs. Daniels introduced Kristopher Walton, community revitalization planner with the Illinois Housing Development Authority, who presented findings from the Mount Vernon Community Needs Assessment Survey and offered recommendations to assist local revitalization efforts.

Mayor John Lewis and council members offered congratulations to Fall Fest organizers and local youth football teams. At 7:29 p.m. the council moved into executive session under Illinois statutes to discuss the purchase or lease of real property and pending litigation; the council reconvened at 7:44 p.m. and adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Votes and motions at a glance: the journal approval, accounts payable vouchers ($1,163,180.29), acceptance of Caldwell Tanks bid ($2,954,900), acceptance of J.K. Trotter & Sons bid ($2,976,029), Ameren relocation ($69,698.59), the street closure (Oct. 21, noon–6 p.m.), and the field‑use agreement resolution were all approved on recorded motions. Recorded roll‑call votes listed Yeas as: Ray Botch, Joe Gliosci, Donte Moore, Mike Young and Mayor John Lewis for each recorded motion.