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Mt. Vernon council approves $2.17M in vouchers, buys 19-acre parcel and backs multiple grant bids
Summary
At its Aug. 5 meeting the Mt. Vernon City Council approved $2,171,066.36 in consolidated vouchers, accepted multiple public-works bids, authorized purchase of roughly 19 acres at Zachery and State Route 15 for $285,000, and endorsed applications for a Brownfields grant and two ITEP transportation grants.
The Mt. Vernon City Council on Monday approved consolidated vouchers totaling $2,171,066.36 and moved forward on a string of public-works contracts, property acquisition and grant applications.
City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel presented the vouchers and multiple bid results. The council accepted Rollie Excavating’s low bid of $107,971.50 for the 2024 Sidewalk Replacement Project, approved Woody’s Municipal Supply Co.’s $198,037.00 bid for a sidearm mower, awarded demolition contracts to Kenneth A. Hails Excavating ($109,000 for 10 asbestos-containing properties) and Heck’s Excavating ($57,625 for eight non-asbestos properties), and accepted MAS Engineering’s $38,342 bid for traffic-signal engineering at 34th and Veterans Memorial Drive. Motions to accept the bids passed unanimously among members present.
On land purchase, the council suspended the rules and approved Ordinance #2024-27 authorizing an agreement to purchase roughly 19 acres at Zachery and State Route 15 for $285,000. The city has a 90-day due-diligence window for environmental study, survey and title work before closing.
Bechtel also asked the council to approve resubmitting an application for a Brownfields grant worth up to $500,000 with no local match; the funds would pay for Phase I and Phase II environmental studies on public or private parcels and would not compel remediation if contamination is found. Bechtel said the grant, if awarded, would require expenditure of funds within two years. The council authorized the resubmission.
Council members approved two resolutions supporting Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grant applications. One backs bicycle and pedestrian improvements along Veterans Memorial Drive (estimated construction $1,735,000; estimated match $347,000, with the city seeking forgiveness that could make it a 100% grant). The other supports streetscape improvements on Broadway and State Route 37 (total estimated cost $3,207,346; estimated match $1,175,204.80; with potential forgiveness reducing the city share to about $217,147). Both resolutions passed with the same unanimous vote of members present.
The council also approved several event-related street closures (Hands Up Summit Aug. 10; Daisy Fresh Downtown Showcase Sept. 21; and December parade and Christmas activity closures), authorized staff to seek bids to replace the Fleet Services garage roof, and waived bidding to purchase a 2025 Ford F-550 one-ton truck through the state contract at a cost of $86,508.00.
Mayor John Lewis announced a new City app that allows residents to view department contacts, pay water bills and receive notifications. "It is a great way to see what is going on and make suggestions, compliments, complaints, etc.," City Manager Mary Ellen Bechtel said.
All motions and ordinances recorded at the meeting passed with the same roll-call pattern: Yeas — Ray Botch, Joe Gliosci, Mike Young and Mayor John Lewis; Absent — Donte Moore. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
