Editor’s note: This article was updated April 27, 2022, at 11:40 am to reflect that legislation relating to ODOT grants received a first reading, not adopted as originally reported.
MOUNT VERNON — Audible pedestrian signals, an historical marker, trash removal, and rezoning were among the topics Mount Vernon City Council members addressed at their April 25 meeting.
Council member Amber Keener, chair of the Parks and Lands Committee, said the city should include audible signals when it works on intersections.
“We have had some pricing done, and we are doing some of those currently. We have folded them into some of the CDBG grant programs,” she said. “The work being done around Dan Emmett school, those signals will have audibles. At Columbus Road, that new crosswalk will have an audible signal.
“I think that this really keeps with the complete streets program and policy that was put into place in 2021,” she added.
Keener said the $2,000 to $3,000 bump in cost to add audible signals during a full intersection redo is worth it. To retrofit an intersection, the cost is $6,500.
“There is no money at this point to just take us completely through and do every crosswalk. I think bringing this before council is a way to start to work these in in the next few years,” she said.
“If we had a citizen that we knew needed these audible signals in a certain location, that would make sense to focus on that area. We have not managed to get a map of where those individuals live, and so this is a method to slowly incorporate those into our city structure moving forward in the future.”
Keener plans to have legislation to require audible signals ready for the May 9 council meeting.
Utilities Committee
Council member Tammy Woods, chair of the Utilities Committee, revived the conversation about recycling and trash removal in the city. Referencing the discussion from several years ago, Woods said that all of the council members have received comments about the city’s program.
The biggest concern council members hear relates to haulers starting between 2 and 5 am.
Jenna Hicks, district director for the DKMM Solid Waste District (Delaware, Knox, Marion, Morrow) presented statistics and updated council on recycling locations.
She reviewed pros and cons of a single-hauler program; listed things to consider, such as senior discounts, collection times, bulk item pickup, and level of service; and provided sample pricing from other locales.
Four haulers serve the city. Prices range from $17.26 a month for trash with a $6.10 charge for recycling to $27.20 with optional cart rental and a limit of six bags a week. It was noted that under program guidelines, haulers must offer free recycling.
Pricing for monthly trash, recycling, and yard waste in other DKMM municipalities include:
•Delaware $20.60
•Marion $22
•Mount Gilead $16.50
•Shawnee Hills residents previously paid $26 for weekly service. In 2015, the village contracted for trash at $19.94 with an optional $2.50 for recycling. In 2020, the village contracted for trash and recycling at $18.95; carts and bulk pickup were included.
•Sunbury $16.50 for trash with optional recycling for $3.07; current contract includes free trash service for village offices and at four large community centers.
Legislative session
In its legislative session, council waived the required three readings and approved placing an historical marker at 102 W. Ohio Ave.
The building was erected in 1874 for the Wayman Chapel A.M.E. Church. Today it is home to Shepherd’s House Church of the Nazarene.
Private donations will pay for the cost of the marker.
In other business, council:
•Approved supplemental appropriations, fund transfers, and bill payment
•Gave a first reading to legislation authorizing the safety-service director to apply for three Community Development Block Grants: neighborhood revitalization, up to $750,000; critical infrastructure, up to $500,000; and allocation, up to $150,000
•Adopted an ordinance updating city code
•Accepted the Municipal Planning Commission’s recommendation to rezone 38 acres on the east side to R3, multi-family housing
•Following an executive session, approved the purchase of land within the city
