MOUNT VERNON — At Monday’s session, Ted Rice of the Heritage Centre Association spoke briefly to Mount Vernon City Council members about the city’s recent acceptance into the Main Street Program. Mount Vernon joins 50 other cities which have received the designation.
Rice said one of the advantages of being in the program is that of brainstorming best practices with representatives from other cities, and the realization that Mount Vernon is not alone in the issues it faces.
He gave an overview of the four committees within HCA: Organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring. He also listed eight principles under which HCA operates.
“Downtown is a challenging place to do business any time,” he said. “... I think that after the colleges come in we’ll have a whole new range of types of businesses.”
Rice thanked council for the support HCA receives through the bed tax, saying the money is a “really crucial part of our budget.” According to guidelines set by the Main Street Program, money should be derived equally from the city, from fundraising and from donations.
“At the budget level we’re at now, we’ll have our downtown manager on full time,” he said, adding that a full-time manager was another requirement of the Main Street Program.
Downtown Manager Lynne Ricard will go full time May 1.
Councilman John Fair reported that he and other members of the streets committee met with Police Chief Mike Merrilees about parking issues. The group is updating ordinances and creating a formalized version of how parking matters will be handled by the Mount Vernon Police Department. Fair said he thought it was a productive meeting and feels the group is on the right track.
Dr. Michael Stalteri of 502 E. High St. spoke to council about the condition of the alley between his house and Fair’s house. The alley, Cucumber Lane, has deteriorated since Stolterry moved there in 2006.
He said the alley’s poor condition hit home last Halloween after he spent $3,000 to repair the sidewalk in front of his house so it would be safe for trick-or-treaters. He has the same concern about the alley because many children walk through the alley.
“The road, I believe, is in disrepair even beyond patching,” he said.
Mayor Richard Mavis said alleys were not first on the priority list for getting patched. Major roadways are done first, based on condition and available money. There is an effort to patch potholes in the alleys, he said, but alleys have not been resurfaced due to other priorities.
“We’d like to take any suggestion from council to work within the money we have,” he said.
Last year council had $400,000 available for paving; this year, $350,000 is available.
Councilman Chuck Dice echoed Stalteri’s concern, as Dice has received complaints about an alley in his ward which needs repaired.
A brief discussion was held as to the possibility of vacating the alley. The issue will be referred to the streets committee.
Council approved a resolution authorizing the safety-service director to contract with Shirk and O’Donovan Consulting Engineers Inc. for
administration services on the repairs to the Plaza Building. Mavis said the services, estimated to be $50,000, are needed because a lot of structural work will be done on the building.
Council also approved an ordinance requiring operators of taxicabs to carry minimum insurance amounts of $100,000 for injury or death per person and $300,000 for each accident, and a limit of $100,000 for property damage.
In other business, council:
•Approved fund transfers, appropriations and payment of bills.
•Approved a contract with police corporals and police officers, and parking meter attendants and radio clerk, which includes a 3 percent raise. The increase will be retroactive to Jan. 1.
•Approved a contract with firefighters and paramedics for a 3 percent raise, also retroactive to Jan. 1.
•Approved legislation formally making the street in the Burch Subdivision a part of the city. The city has maintained the street, but formal legislation had never been adopted.
Mavis told council members they would be receiving a copy of the revised 9-1-1 plan to review. A number of county entities must review the plan; 60 percent must approve it in order for it to be accepted.
Geoff Oliver of the Parks and Recreation Department told Mavis the east entrance to Foundation Park is open for the season. The bass club will be putting more pine trees in the lake to build up the habitat.
The city’s Easter Egg Hunt will be April 11 at 10 a.m. at Memorial Park. There will be no rain date.
Mavis asked council to consider renaming the Blackjack Road Extension to Clint-Mill Road. He said it needs to be renamed so as to avoid confusion with Blackjack Road. The proposed name comes from Clinton and Miller Townships.
Councilman Mike Hillier voiced concern about the number of vehicles and garages broken into over the past weekend. This, he said, mirrors similar activity the previous weekend. Hillier wanted to go on record as stating he supports whatever is needed to get the activity under control, whether it’s approving overtime for police officers or assigning another officer to the area. He also said when those responsible are caught, he approved taking them to the fullest extent punishable by law.
“Mount Vernon is too good of a town for this to happen,” he said.
Hillier also said First Fridays will take place downtown this summer, beginning May 1. Due to the construction on Gay Street, Main Street will not be blocked off. Four of the First Fridays will take place on Vine Street, between Main and Mulberry streets.
Councilman Derk Demaree brought up the bad condition of New Gambier Road, especially between Eastern Star and Edgewood roads. Mavis said extreme shade on the road is a major cause of the deteriorating road; City Engineer Cameron Keaton is looking into the possibility of using a different patching mix that is less affected by lack of sunshine.
Councilman Burt Hanson said he was pleased to see 17 cars in the impound lot by Riverside Park.
“I think our investment in the impound lot is finally coming to fruition,” he said.
