Mount Vernon News

MOUNT VERNON — The speed limit on East High Street generated discussion at Monday’s City Council meeting, with council ultimately giving one reading to an ordinance which would result in the area between Park Street and Stevens Street becoming a 25 mph zone. The area in question is a residential area, and has crosswalks used by children attending East Elementary School on East Vine Street.

Most of the discussion took place in a committee meeting held prior to the legislative session. Councilman John Fair, chairman of the Streets and Public Buildings Committee and who lives on East High Street, said he’s seen traffic, including heavy trucks, going as fast as 45 mph.

“I don’t think 25 mph down through East High Street is illogical or irrational,” said Fair, who on occasion has called the Mount Vernon Police Department when he’s seen a vehicle in the area driving too fast.

Councilman Bruce Hawkins disagrees with the ordinance, citing enforcement issues and concern that traffic would be diverted to Vine Street.

“We are passing an ordinance up front that we can’t enforce,” said Hawkins.

Councilman Burt Hanson, who said 25 mph seems awfully slow, questioned why a cone could not be placed in the center of the street to alert drivers to the crosswalk, such as is done in front of St. Vincent de Paul School. Councilwoman Rebecca Jordan responded that St. Vincent officials place and remove the cone daily; there is no one available to do the same on East High Street. She said flashing lights should be installed at the crossing at East High and George streets to alert drivers to slow down. Flashing lights would cost about $2,500 each. The crosswalk technically is not a school crossing, as it is too far from the school.

According to Safety-Service Director Dave Glass, any street that is less than one mile long and not a through highway automatically has a designation of 25 mph. Ordinance 2008-23 would designate the portion of East High Street between Park and Stevens streets not a through highway.

Council requested Glass to begin a temporary 25 mph limit over the next couple of days, and encouraged the Mount Vernon Police Department in its enforcement efforts. The temporary 25 mph designation will give council time to assess the results while the ordinance makes its way through the legislative process.

Also in the committee meeting, Fair noted that the old middle school continues to be a problem. He said there are a number of broken windows and panels in doors gone, which allows for access into the building, as well as two holes in the roof which one could crawl through. Fair said the building continues to remain a concern to neighbors.

Glass said the owner, John Bechtel, is to meet this morning with Glass and Mayor Richard Mavis. Hanson said he doesn’t think Bechtel will respond to anything other than legal pressure. Glass said if Bechtel’s attitude at today’s meeting is noncompliant, he will ask City Law Director Bill Smith to file charges.

In regular session, Louis Blubaugh, owner of Blubaugh Body & Frame on Parrott Street, requested the city’s help in getting city sewer to his business. He said the EPA wants him to make changes in his facility, and, in order to comply, he needs city sewer.

The city sewer system stops on the East side of South Main Street. Glass said he and Mavis met with Blubaugh about the issue 1 1/2 years ago; preliminary plans at the time put the cost of extending the sewer system across the railroad to Blubaugh’s business in the mid-$300,000 range. If the sewer were extended only to Blubaugh’s, and not beyond, the price tag would be around $40,000 to $50,000.

Glass said working with railroad officials would be a long, drawn-out process, but that it could be done. The matter was referred to the Water and Wastewater Commission.

In other business, council approved a resolution authorizing Glass to sell surplus parking meters. There are about 650 meters; Glass said some will be kept as backup for the 30 or so meters still in use in the city. The rest will be sold by sealed bids initially. If the sealed bids are not productive, other options, such as eBay, will be explored.

Council approved a resolution for the city to apply for Ohio Public Works funds in the amount of $500,000. The money would be used for improvements to the Vernonview-Wooster water line. The project was designated three years ago, but no funds were available. The deadline for applying for funds is Sept. 5.

“The plans already drawn gives us a few extra points in the application process,” said Mavis. “We feel good about this project.”

Fair reported that motorists southbound on Park Street have had difficulty seeing traffic going westbound on Coshocton Avenue. A temporary “No turn on red” sign has been in place. Monday, council adopted an ordinance which would make “No turn on red” permanent.

A resolution to authorize Glass to enter into a contract for engineering design service for the Plaza Building and parking garage improvement project was approved, as were resolutions to authorize City Auditor Terry Scott to make supplemental appropriations and transfers.

Scott reported that, in accordance with council’s action Aug. 18, notes were sold to obtain funds for the Blackjack Road improvement project. The notes are at 1.7 percent interest for six months; the funds are on deposit at 1.95 percent interest.

A first reading was given to an ordinance which would allow job-sharing for the assistant city law director position.

Mavis informed council that the city will receive CHIP funds in the amount of $500,000. The funds will be used for home improvement projects in the Pleasant Street/North Sychar Road area. Interested applicants can contact Knox Metropolitan Housing after Sept. 1.

He also reported that the city should hear by the end of September whether it would receive a $300,000 grant for which it applied, and reminded city residents that Sept. 6 is the last day for the city’s cleanup program.

In other comments from council members, information was presented about why the government was requiring conversion to digital TVs, residents were reminded of the 8:30 a.m. gathering of council members Sept. 6 at Sip’s, former News reporter Dylan McCament was commended for the job he did covering council and Fair said he’s received a lot of phone calls about the brick street repair.

Fair also commented on the cross country invitational held at Foundation Park on Saturday, which had 1,800 in attendance and included 620 athletes. He thanked council and city officials for their support of Foundation Park.

Councilman Chuck Dice noted some residents still misunderstand the city’s billing for rescue squads. He said citizens will get an Explanation of Benefits explaining what their insurance has paid, but wanted them to know the statement is not a bill. He reminded everyone that residents inside the city limits or inside the service area will not be billed for EMS runs.