MOUNT VERNON — A grant will help the city of Mount Vernon employ about 30 to 40 more people this summer.
The grant is from the Ariel Corp. Donor Advised Fund of The Community Foundation of Mount Vernon and Knox County, and will provide funding for summer employment for college-bound children of Ariel and Energy Machine employees.
“It’s an opportunity for us to get some projects completed that we would never have had the option before,” Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Mavis said. “Clearly, this is going to benefit the city for the summer. Hopefully, it’s a good experience for the workers.”
The jobs will be regular, 40-hour work weeks in a variety of city offices, including city hall, the fire and police departments, parks, streets and cemetery departments, and the engineer’s and auditor’s offices. The city will attempt to match the student’s interest with job placement.
“We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to have additional folks work for us this summer,” said Mavis.
The money from the grant will go to the city and then to the employees. City Council will discuss legislation on this issue at its Monday meeting.
Monday’s meeting will be a busy one for council, according to Mavis.
Committee meetings are scheduled prior to council to discuss subjects such as the flood plain maps, the parking legislation, police involvement with funeral processions, and projects at Foundation and Riverside parks.
Council will also discuss legislation involving a revision to the 9-1-1 plan in the county. The city, as well as township trustees and other villages, will be asked to approve the revisions.
Mavis reported City Engineer Cameron Keaton said the Gay Street Improvement Project was still on course, despite rain which caused one day without work this week.
“The thing is, we’re going to have some traffic jams, especially since they are working on the Chestnut Street water line. High Street and the Square were very congested today. People just need to remember to be tolerant and patient,” Mavis said.
In other news:
•Mavis reported a follow-up meeting of several departments involved in the clean up of a semi-trailer accident near Fredericktown earlier this week. According to Mavis, the groups had some good discussions about what went right and what could be fixed if the problem arises again in the future.
•Mavis reminded residents the Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 25, and entries are being accepted. Entry forms were sent in the mail to those who have participated before, and the committee has also run ads in the paper.
•The city has awarded the bid for the new emergency squad. Buckeye Emergency and Specialty Trucks out of Bluffton had the only bid, $161,482. The city is hoping to have the vehicle within the next few months.
•The city’s cleanup program will begin Saturday, May 2. Mount Vernon will pick up half the tab of any trash taken by city residents to Allied Waste/BFI Waste Systems, 107 Tilden Ave., on the first Saturday of each month through September. The weeks of May 4-8 and Aug. 24-28 will also be times residents can take their trash to the facility. The facility is open Saturdays from 8 to 11:30 a.m., and during the two weeks open from 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. No hazardous waste, roofing or concrete will be accepted and an ID will be required to verify residency.