By Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com Reporter
MOUNT VERNON — City Council members began their Monday night meeting by honoring Dee Wood as she transitions from administrative assistant to the safety-service director to full-time grandmother. Wood is retiring on Friday after 14 years of service in the position.
Reading a proclamation recognizing her professional and loyal support, Mayor Richard Mavis said Wood has “fielded and resolved many public concerns during her tenure and done so with a sense of humor, cheerful spirit and desire for positive result.” “It’s been a delight to get to know her over the years,” he said.
“Any time while I was president of council and asked her to do anything, she always did it with such joy,” said Councilman John Booth.
City Council honored Dee Wood on Monday for her 14 years of service to the city. Wood is retiring on Friday.
KP Photo by Marty Trese
Lucie McMahon of Community Development Consultants of Ohio spoke to council about fair housing laws. She said the principle behind fair housing can be summed up in this way: “People should be able to live wherever they can afford to live.”
She requested council to consider passing a resolution affirming its support for the fair housing concept. The city already has such a resolution in place, but it was passed many years ago. Council agreed that it would be good to update the resolution. Mavis said he supports reaffirming that the city supports fair housing.
“We do have some problems,” said Safety-service Director Joel Daniels, adding that he would welcome taking a look at an analysis McMahon prepared noting problems residents have reported with landlords.
Starla Benson, East High Street, kept the issue of traffic on Edgewood Road before council. After thanking city officials for “the attention the city has given our concerns, … and the Mount Vernon Police Department for increased patrols,” Benson said neighbors are requesting a meeting with city officials.
Specifically, Benson said the neighbors want city officials to present past plans regarding traffic flow on Edgewood, plans for a connector road laid out, and plans to add a road further east to connect Ohio 229 to Coshocton Avenue. Emphasizing a sense of urgency in light of development on the east end, Benson said, “Basically, what we want is maps laid out, maps presented and we can ask questions good or bad.”
Robert Bender, Provident Companies, gave council an overview of the proposed renovation of Meadow Ridge Apartments on Follin Avenue. Public meetings are scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. At Dan Emmett Elementary School and Friday at 1 p.m. at the apartment complex so that community members can learn more in-depth about the scope of the project.
Council authorized the city auditor to appropriate funds, pay bills and transfer funds. Appropriations included $800 from the sale of scrap metal. Council also authorized Daniels to bid for supplies, materials and equipment for 2018.
Council waived the third reading and adopted legislation approving the recommendations of the Knox County Tax Incentive Review Council regarding economic development incentives. The incentives cover several areas:
*4 CRAs (Community Reinvestment Areas): Connelll’s Home Furnishings, First-Knox National Bank, Jacob Motorsports and Woodward Development Corp.
*6 EZ (Enterprise Zone) exemptions: Ariel Corp., Chesterland Productions PLL, Cooper Cameron Corp., Owens Corning Insulating Systems, Pisces Properties LLC and Sanoh America
*3 active TIFs (Tax Increment Financing) zones: Coshocton Avenue, Central Business District and Sandusky Street
