MOUNT VERNON — Citing an “inextricable conflict” of interest with his new position as vice president of the Knox County Area Development Foundation, 4th Ward Councilman Jeff Gottke resigned from council on Monday night.
Gottke’s resignation is effective at midnight Oct. 31. He begins his duties with the ADF on Nov. 5.
“This was an excruciating decision to make. I love every part of this job,” he told council, reading from a prepared statement. “I think I did a good job, but there is so much I wanted to accomplish. I am truly sorry that I have to be leaving this position. I consider earning the people’s trust to represent them one of the highlights of my professional career and will think back fondly of this brief time I have spent on council.”
Speaking to the residents of the 4th Ward, Gottke said that he has not accomplished what he promised when he ran for the seat last year.
“So I will make this commitment to you,” he said. “I will work to seat a replacement who shares our vision for our neighborhoods. I will work to find a replacement who will be thoughtful and honest, works in good faith, and tries to work together with everyone. I will work to find a person who will strive to clean up the crime, fix the brick streets and bring new ideas to council. If there is any solace in this decision, it is that I hope my new position will create many more opportunities for positive change, not only for you, but for the county as a whole.”
Gottke also had words for his fellow council members, urging them not to accept the status quo. Noting positive things such as a revitalized downtown, low unemployment, and great parks and schools, he also said there are bad things happening such as drugs, neglected infrastructure, and “an entrenched, dishonest opposition that does not work in good faith and believes that the status quo is ‘good enough.’”
“You can choose the old ways and let our streets get further overrun with drugs and filth, or you can choose new ideas and innovations that promote growth, infrastructure, and good governance. I know what I would choose and hope you do the same,” he said.
Under the Ohio Revised Code, Gottke’s seat must be filled no earlier than five days after the vacancy is created and no later than 45 days. Members of the county central committee who live in Ward 4 will choose the replacement. However, Knox County Republican Chairman Chip McConville said the ORC is a little ambiguous as it also refers to a city controlling committee choosing a replacement.
“I am going to ask the Secretary of State if there is any legal meaning to the term ‘city controlling committee,’” said McConville. “On first reading, my conclusion is that the three county central committee members of Ward 4 will choose the replacement.”
McConville said several individuals have expressed interest in the position. Candidates will make a presentation to the screening committee. There is a one-year residency requirement that is imposed by state law.
Council’s next meeting is Nov. 13. McConville declined to state for certain that Gottke’s replacement will be chosen by then, but he did say, “We don’t want to have Ward 4 unrepresented on council.”
Planning and Zoning
Council gave a first reading to an ordinance vacating two alleys and a portion of Ridgely Street in the Elmwood Place subdivision. The parcels are included in land on South Division Street that LifePoint Church is interested in buying with the goal of building a church there.
Owner Kay Ringwalt does not oppose vacating the street or alleys. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 26, at 7:05 p.m. in council chambers.
Parks and Land
Council waived the required three readings and passed as an emergency legislation relating to renaming parks and other recreational facilities in honor of various groups or individuals. The ordinance calls for the city’s recreation board to create a master list of the city’s recreation facilities and develop procedures to suggest to council names for the facilities.
Speaking in a committee meeting prior to the legislative session, Jerry Klinger, parks and recreation director, presented a draft form for nominations. At least 25 Mount Vernon residents must sign the form, which includes the name of the honoree and why the person is being nominated.
The draft form provides a 20-year time frame for the naming of a facility. If at the end of 20 years another person is nominated for the facility, past honorees will be named on the signage as well as the newly nominated honoree.
Council members also discussed legislation dealing with the regulation and placement of small cell technology in the municipal right-of-way. In small cell technology, a wireless device is placed on street lights, utility poles, or slimline poles rather than erecting a large communication tower.
Any entity that wants to install, modify, relocate, or remove a small cell facility must apply to the city and pay an application fee. The entity must also pay an annual fee to the city for each small cell facility located in the right-of-way.
Paul Prater of AEP Ohio had concerns regarding the ordinance’s language regarding electric poles. He also said the ordinance must be filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio 45 days before being brought up at council. Law Director Rob Broeren will review Prater’s concerns before the next council meeting.
In its legislative session, council members gave the ordinance a first reading.
Miscellaneous
Council also discussed in committee proposed legislation regarding vaping. After much discussion, the ordinance received a second reading. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 26, at 6:45 p.m.
A public hearing on the request by CVS Pharmacy for a liquor permit is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 1, at 9:30 a.m. in council chambers.
In other business, council:
- Authorized the trade-in of a tractor in the water/wastewater department and the sale of a police cruiser
- Approved payment of bills and fund transfers
- Approved a contract with Core & Main for equipment ($125,449) and software ($62,925) for switching to new water meter reading systems
- Heard from Health Commissioner Julie Miller
