MOUNT VERNON — Police personnel topped the agenda at Monday’s Mount Vernon City Council meeting.
Council briefly discussed in a committee meeting Police Chief Robert Morgan’s request to add three more officers to the department, and gave the proposal a second reading in its legislative session.
Council members then turned to Morgan’s proposal to add a domestic violence liaison to the ranks. According to the job description, the liaison would review and follow up on domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking cases, as well as work with victims on temporary and civil protection orders.
Councilman James Mahan said the anticipated liaison salary is $84,000 a year. In 2023, that represents $42,000 for June through December.
The department received a $35,000 grant and $1,000 from United Way to put toward 2023’s salary.
“The mayor and [Auditor] Terry Scott worked in some ARPA money to take care of 2023,” Mahan said. “The hope is in 2024 there’s another opportunity for a grant.”
Morgan said if the grant is not forthcoming in 2024, the department can either do away with the position if it is not working or plan for it in the 2024 budget cycle.
“We will be very clear with them that it’s based on grants and it’s based on funding,” Morgan said.
The position will function similar to the community advocate liaison council approved in 2021. Of the CA position, Morgan said, “We are working better with any agency than we have in years.”
“Mr. Jackman’s ability to work with these agencies to do followups outside of the officers’ official duties has been great,” he said. “We partnered with a number of agencies for care for mental health, addiction, and it is taking a burden off of the officers doing the followup.”
The domestic violence liaison will also work with these agencies, the law director’s office, and victim’s advocate.
“It’s not to replace anything that we already have in place, it’s in addition to,” Morgan said.
Morgan said the position is needed due to the increase in call volume and the implementation of Marsy’s Law, which went into effect April 6. Marsy’s Law involves a lot more follow up with victims, keeping them in-the-know about what is happening.
Morgan said that if the position is not created or is discontinued, domestic violence work will fall back on Dan Jackman as community advocate and a MVPD detective who does part-time domestic violence work.
Some of the work will fall back on the law director’s office and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
Noting that he cannot speak for social service agencies, Morgan did say everyone that he has talked to “loves the concept and it is helping with communication channels up and down.”
The Civil Service Commission has not yet approved the job description. Council gave a first reading to legislation creating the position.
Council took the following additional actions:
•Approved an intern program for the engineering department
•Approved the bidding and contracting for sanitary sewer line replacement on Elliott Street; estimated project cost is $100,000
•Approved granting an easement at 301 Boynton St.
•Approved a resolution authorizing the safety-service director to identify and select a company to do a camera inspection of the city’s stormwater and sewer lines within and adjacent to TIF District #1 (Coshocton Avenue)
•Authorized the disposal of five vehicles: one previously used as a police cruiser, four unclaimed impounded vehicles
•Approved application to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for a NatureWorks grant for the CA&C Depot
•Approved the appointment of Todd Hawkins as a regular member of the Municipal Planning Commission replacing Bob Drews
•Authorized the city to accept the terms of the national opioid settlement with Teva, Allergan, CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart
•Gave a first reading to legislation authorizing a contract with Gray Matter Systems for Phase 6 work at the water treatment plant at a cost of $261,735
•Discussed an annexation petition for two parcels on Martinsburg Road
MVFD
Council members approved an ordinance accepting the decision relating to negotiations with the firefighters and paramedics union.
Negotiations reached an impasse last fall and the contract went into arbitration. The State of Ohio issued a fact-finding report in December; the city accepted the report, but the union did not.
The issue then went to binding conciliation. The conciliator upheld the previous report which found in favor of the city.
Proclamation
Council President Bruce Hawkins read a proclamation honoring Nicholas Grega for earning the rank of Eagle Scout. Grega’s service project was building three free library book boxes “to spread the love and accessibility of reading.” Two of the boxes are outside of an elementary school; the third is within an apartment complex.
Street vacation
Council received a petition to vacate a portion of Lewis Street between Vine and Gambier streets. Owners of the Central Ohio Farmers Co-op made the request, stating it will allow them to improve grain operations and plan for potential expansion. Council referred the request to the Municipal Planning Commission.
