by Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com reporter
MOUNT VERNON — In its Monday night session, City Council approved legislation that will keep the city in compliance with storm sewer system regulations. The legislation authorizes a contract for engineering services with Newark-based ADR & Associates.
City Engineer Cameron Keaton told council that the Environmental Protection Agency requires the city to monitor the discharge pipes into the Kokosing River and its tributaries, including Adams Run, Center Run, Dry Creek. The project involves ADR personnel locating discharge points, noting the GPS coordinates and documenting visual findings such as bubbles or odors. Personnel will walk the streams or be in boats; all personnel will carry identification. If illicit discharges are found, personnel will track upstream to find the source of the discharge. Because the monitoring requirement is an EPA unfunded mandate, the city bears the $49,200 cost of engineering services.
An ordinance that brings portions of the city’s drug laws into conformity with state laws received a first reading. If an individual is convicted or pleads guilty to certain drug offenses, state law requires a municipal judge to suspend the offender’s driver’s license for a minimum of six months. City Law Director Chip McConville said that when prosecuting a recent case, he noticed the city’s code contained permissive language rather than specific language regarding the suspensions. The proposed ordinance brings seven sections into compliance.
Council members waived the required three readings and approved two new resolutions:
*To confirm the appointment of Tom Glibert, DDS, to the city’s Recreation Board. Glibert will replace Gary Donaldson, who recently passed away. Council passed the resolution as an emergency because the board meets monthly.
*To accept the amount and rates determined by the Knox County Budget Commission as the city’s portion of the county’s inside millage. The $765,400 to be collected will go into the general, police pension and fire pension funds.
In other business, council:
*Waived the third reading of a resolution authorizing the safety-service director to apply for funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission. The third reading was waived due to an Oct. 5 submission deadline. If the $400,000 request is approved, it will be added to the city’s $700,000 to $750,000 allocated for paving.
*Approved an ordinance vacating a portion of an alley between 609 and 613 E. Vine St.; both property owners agree to the vacation.
*Gave a first reading to an ordinance that adds a two-hour parking zone on the south side of West High Street between West Street and Norton Street.
*Gave a second reading to three resolutions: to authorize the safety-service director to enter into a contractor with the Ohio Department of Transportation for resurfacing and related work on Main, Gay, Chestnut and Sandusky streets and Newark Road; to authorize the safety-service director to enter into a contract with ODOT for painting the steel bridge over Dry Creek; and to appoint Todd Hawkins to the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County.
Several council members congratulated Carrie Crouch, downtown manager, on the excellent job she is doing. Residents are reminded to not sweep leaves into the street. Residents are also requested to inspect their brushes and trees to see if they inhibit any sight lines, either into a neighbor’s driveway or at a street corner.
Council adjourned into executive session to discuss possible land acquisition. No action was taken.
