MOUNT VERNON — The progress, or lack thereof, by owner John Bechtel in making repairs to the former middle school on North Mulberry Street once again drew the ire of Mount Vernon City Council members at their meeting Monday night.

“The thing that bothered me the most was Mr. Bechtel’s attitude,” said Councilman John Fair, who went on a tour of the building June 10 along with members of the city’s Dilapidated Building Commission. “He is as arrogant as ever.”

Fair acknowledged the building was secured. Otherwise, he said, “there’s nothing at all that shows any progress.”

“He did not let us in the cafeteria ... he did not let us in the boiler room,” said Fair.

Safety-Service Director Dave Glass said there is not as much debris, but agreed the building is the same as several years ago, with the exception that now, the interior walls and floors have been stripped.

“Our biggest concerns now are the windows and the fact that people access the building by breaking in, rodents, and things like that,” said Glass.

Fair said when he questioned Bechtel as to what his plans are for the building, Bechtel said he was not going to take money and put it into glass to repair the windows, if the city was not going to give him the abatement.

Fair said Bechtel had previously emphasized that council could visit other places owned by Bechtel. According to Fair, after speaking with the safety-service director for Mansfield, the official acknowledged the city had to keep after Bechtel in order to get things done. The initial plan in Mansfield was for a halfway house, and underwent changes until it “morphed into kind of what he’s saying he’s going to do here” with some type of a senior center.

“So when this comes back to us, I am going to be very apprehensive that we don’t get snookered again,” said Fair.

Referring to an earlier discussion wherein Bechtel said he had arrangements for a $300,000 loan for building repairs, Councilman Burt Hanson said that was not enough.

“Before I’d consider another abatement, I’d want to see some kind of surety, and $300,000 doesn’t do it,” he said.

“To me, he comes across as a bully, and I won’t be bullied,” said Councilwoman Rebecca Jordan. “This has been going on 10 years.”

Mayor Richard Mavis said before any other abatement is considered, he would want to see plans, financing and all arrangements made first. In addition, he said, plywood attached to the outside of windows is an acceptable way of sealing a building that is in transition.

“I think the city needs to put on some pressure,” he said.

Councilman Mike Hillier said council could not allow plywood repairs on North Mulberry Street, but not in other parts of town.

Glass said the building is in violation of city code, and the Dilapidated Building Commission will discuss the matter at its July meeting. At that time, the commission will make a recommendation to the city law director.

“We get a flurry of activity every time the city presses,” said Hanson. “We need to get those flurries closer together.”

In other business, council approved entering into a contract with Heritage Ohio Inc. to participate in the Ohio Main Street Program. Mavis said it was a three-way partnership between Heritage Ohio, the city and the Heritage Centre Association.

“This is something the Heritage Centre has been working on for as long as I have been involved, and that is 10 years,” said Corby Wise, vice president of HCA, adding that the goal is economic restructuring to promote downtown.

“We’ll get tons of support from Heritage Ohio and the national Main Street Ohio,” he said. “Our hope is to take full advantage of the training ... and keep downtown vibrant and going.”

Fair said participation in the Main Street Program has been a long time coming, and is “a feather in Mount Vernon’s cap.”

Other business included approving an application for grant funds for 2010; adopting a modified tax budget; approving an hourly rate of $15 for the part-time parking enforcement officer position; reappointing Kelly Schermerhorn to the Water and Wastewater Commission; and changing the name of the Shade Tree Commission to the Shade Tree and Beautification Commission.

In remarks, Mavis noted the Ohio transplant games will take place this weekend at the Kenyon Athletic Center, and the city will award bids for the restroom at Foundation Park to Hoover Construction in Ashland. Hoover’s bid of $162,900 was well below the estimate, he said.

Fair said he hopes parents are aware of the city’s curfew hours, and asked them to be more cautious now that school is out. He also asked drivers be more cautious in observing the city’s speed limits with more children out and about.

He also said he has seen a police escort for at least two funerals, and that he is pleased to see this respect paid to citizens.

Hanson thanked those involved with planting the trees along Mount Vernon Avenue.

Councilman Bruce Hawkins told council it should be cognizant of what is going on at the state level regarding budgets, and how those cuts will affect the city.

Hillier said he has received a few calls about the downtown parking enforcement, and that things seem to be going smoothly at the water park. He reminded council July’s First Friday was going to be at Memorial Park, preceding the city’s fireworks.

Jordan reminded council about a diversity forum scheduled for tonight, sponsored by the Knox County Democratic Women’s Club.

Councilman Chuck Dice said Sue Peck asked for council’s help again in operating the concession stand at the Little League Classic, slated for July 4 through 11. He also related a story about a youngster who was told by his parents they could not afford a pass to the water park, and encouraged city officials to consider having a special night every two weeks — such as half-price admission, or buy one, get one free — since the city is not able to give pool sponsorships this year.