MOUNT VERNON — The new city engineer introduced himself to City Council on Monday, and council members gave him a warm welcome.
Cameron Keaton of Shelby said he looks forward to the challenge of rebuilding the engineering department for the future. The administration made the announcement of his hiring on Monday.
Keaton said there are a lot of infrastructure projects on the horizon for the city and that it’s important the city have its own engineer, in part to allow the mayor and the safety-service director to focus on other tasks rather than engineering. He said the administration wanted someone to step up, lead and rebuild the engineering department and to look toward the future, particularly as a number of staff in the department are approaching retirement.
“I feel Mount Vernon is in need of a full-time engineer,” he said.
Following the meeting, Keaton told the News the first thing he wants to do is to see how the department runs, adding that he doesn’t necessarily have a lot of changes in mind. He said he is familiar with some recent infrastructure projects in Mount Vernon, through his six years with Richland Engineering of Mansfield, and helped design the brick street replacement project on McKenzie Street.
Council members appeared enthusiastic at the hiring of a new engineer, a position that has been vacated for about four years. Each one voiced support and welcomed Keaton to the department. Council and the administration have long discussed filling the position.
Councilman Burt Hanson said he is pleased to have a young, dedicated person fill the position. He told Keaton he has the opportunity to create the department and bring aboard the generation of its staff. He said the city needs an engineer with vision for the long-term future of the city.
Councilman D. Derk Demaree said he thinks it’s exciting to have such a capable person take the job.
“Hopefully, it’s the start of good things for the city,” he said.
Mayor Richard Mavis said Keaton could start as soon as next Monday.
Keaton’s experience includes 15 years of full-time engineering and surveying, including three years as city engineer for Ontario, Ohio, and 12 years of engineering and surveying experience with consulting firms in Richland County, including six years with Richland Engineering. He holds a Bachelor of Science in applied civil engineering from Youngstown State University and an Associate of Applied Science in civil engineering technology from the University of Toledo.
Keaton said he and his family have plans to relocate to the Mount Vernon area.
Council adopted a resolution that establishes the position of city engineer, which effectively made the hiring of Keaton official. The annual salary for the position is $69,000. Council voted to abolish the position in March 2004.
In other business:
•Council adopted a resolution authorizing City Auditor Terry Scott to transfer $25,000 to the Contract Engineer account. The funds are used for engineering services from Richland Engineering. Scott said the account had been depleted.
•Council adopted an ordinance raising the rate the city charges insurance companies for EMS runs by 2.7 percent. Councilman Mike Hillier said he thinks EMS billing, a practice instituted by the city about three years ago, has been successful in generating funds, and comes at no cost to residents.
•Council adopted an ordinance amending the number and wages of seasonal personnel at the city water park: Aquatics director, $3,888; pool manager, $7,888 (from May 10-June 30); and pool manager (July 1-Sept. 4) $4,925.
•Mayor Mavis announced that Saturday, May 31, will be the official opening day of the water park.
•Council convened into executive session to discuss a topic pertaining to land acquisition. No further action was taken.
