MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon City Council moved forward Tuesday night on a restroom at Harmony Playground, authorizing Safety-service Director Richard Dzik to bid and contract for the project.
City engineer Brian Ball said the new restroom will be handicap-accessible and heated to accommodate year-round playground and park activities. The building will have an overhang to provide protection from rain.
Construction will run around $100,000, with the total project estimated at $180,000. Funding comes from $22,500 donated by CrossFit 1808 and Knox County DD ($11,250 each) and $90,000 in a Knox County Foundation fund. The remaining money will come from the city’s capital improvements fund.
Council members had two executive sessions on Tuesday, one relating to security, the other to the union contract with city firefighters and paramedics.
In its legislative session, council took the following actions:
•Approved interim budget appropriations of $9.3 million to cover the first six to eight weeks of 2023. The 2022 interim appropriation was $8.7 million. Council will hold its budget appropriation meeting on Jan. 21 at 8:30 am.
•Suspended the rules and approved on first reading paying bills, transferring funds, supplemental appropriations, extending the contract with Knox Public Health, and accepting the fact-finding report relating to wages and benefits of the Mount Vernon Firefighters and Paramedics IAFF Local 3712. Appropriations included $1.1 million from the sale of bonds to buy a fire engine and medic.
•Gave a second reading to legislation establishing membership in the Regional Planning Commission and accepting the annexation of 0.562 acres on Martinsburg Road in Pleasant Township. Council previously agreed to provide fire, police, EMS, and stormwater services to the parcel, but not water or sewer.
•Gave a first reading to legislation authorizing the city to seek a request for qualifications for the rehabilitation of clarifier No. 2 at the water treatment plant, fixing the number of hourly employees in the water/wastewater department, and authorizing the city auditor to make transfers within line accounts up to $5,000 without council’s approval
Council also waived the required three readings and adopted an ordinance setting the compensation for the civil service administrator at $16,000. Current compensation is $11,000 to $12,000.
The position has received similar raises as other city employees over the years, but Mayor Matt Starr said it has been a number of years since the position received a base increase. The city’s recent wage study showed $16 per hour falls in the mid-range for compensation.
The administrator is a part-time position with no sick leave or vacation benefits. Tony DiIulis has held the position since 2008.
Responsibilities include conducting testing for police, firefighters, and utility workers; certifying applicant lists; and handling protests. Additionally, Safety-service director Dzik said he asked DiIulis to start compiling lists so that when a vacancy arises, the city has an applicant list to work from. This will increase the frequency of testing DiIulis will coordinate.
Council members commended DiIulis for his hard work and the dedication and compassion he brings to the position. Councilman John Francis noted that while council is setting the compensation for the position, DiIulis deserves the raise.
Council President Bruce Hawkins agreed the position, and DiIulis, is doing more work at a low salary.
“In my opinion, the salary increase is justified. I think Tony deserves a raise; he works hard, and we need to make up for time,” Hawkins said.
