MOUNT VERNON — City council members passed legislation on Monday night consenting to the annexation of 105.65 acres on Martinsburg Road.
Law Director Rob Broeren explained that in legal language, consent in this case means “moving the process forward.” It does not mean that council has agreed to accept the acreage into the city.
The ordinance council passed states the city will provide fire, EMS, police, and stormwater services to the acreage.
In bringing the ordinance to the floor, Councilman Mike Hillier moved to amend the ordinance to remove all four services. Broeren noted that deleting stormwater services deprives the city of revenue for the stormwater utility.
The city already provides fire and EMS services through a contract with Pleasant Township.
Hillier then amended the amendment to state the city will provide stormwater services but not fire, EMS, and police. Council voted down that amendment by a 4 to 3 vote.
After further discussion, council moved to adopt the ordinance as originally written to provide all four services. Council passed the ordinance by a 6 to 1 vote with Hillier voting no.
The annexation request now goes back to the county commissioners. It will ultimately come back to council, at which time council will hold a public hearing.
The 105.65 acres consists of two parcels owned by Philip and Renee Green and Stephen and Justine Styler. The owners feel that annexation into the city will make the land more attractive to a developer.
Parks and lands
Council members renewed the discussion about the condition of the city’s 12 ball fields in a Parks and Lands Committee meeting.
Director of Public Works Tom Hinkle noted that much of the playground equipment is need of repair or replacement.
“We’ve been fortunate to maintain it, but it has run its life cycle,” he told council, adding that the city has started removing a lot of the old equipment and replacing it.
“I want you to understand that with having the master parks plan, it becomes difficult making decisions,” he told council. “Obviously, safety comes first. But how much money do I put into repairs, knowing there are future plans?”
For example, Hinkle noted that the master plan calls for several ball fields to be completely reoriented. He said that having a set plan for when improvements will start will give him guidance as to how much money to put into repairs now.
Recreation Director Tanner Salyers reiterated the idea of selling naming rights to the fields and dugouts, noting that dugout rights would be more affordable for smaller businesses. Naming rights to the fields and the parks themselves would go for a larger amount on a tiered level.
“The purpose would be to raise some funds for maintenance,” he said. “Regardless of what is done during the parks master plan, maintenance will continue.
“By not doing it, we are leaving a lot of money on the table that could be utilized and turned back into the community, and that’s why we want to explore this,” Salyers said.
Salyers agreed with Councilman James Mahan’s comment at council’s April 17 special meeting that getting the ball fields in shape must be a public-private partnership.
The private side would be selling naming rights. The public side would be the city matching that figure.
For example, naming rights might be $1,000 a year for 10 years, generating $10,000 through private contributions. The city would then also put $10,000 into that ball field.
Mahan said that individuals or businesses involved in a public-private partnership should have a seat at the table as the city works through the process.
Legislative action
Council gave a first reading to an ordinance increasing the hourly wage of seasonal and part-time personnel.
Safety-service Director Richard Dzik said that in the wake of increasing the parking enforcement officer’s wage, he and Human Resources Director Denise Johnson felt the need to look at other positions in order to ensure they remain competitive.
The proposed new rate for part-time firefigher/EMT ranges from $16 to $18 per hour based on level, and the new rate for part-time fire inspector is $17 per hour.
Seasonal help in the parks, cemetery, streets, water/wastewater, and fire department will move up to $13. Water/wastewater II will increase to $13.50 and engineering department to $15.
However, the water/wastewater department has not had seasonal personnel for a while, and Utilities Director Aaron Reinhart said they probably are not needed.
It is also unclear whether the seasonal personnel in the engineering department are interns, employees, or if the department has even had seasonal personnel. Dzik will look into it further.
Council took the following additional actions:
• Approved a $261,000 contract with Gray Matter Systems for Phase 6 upgrades at the water treatment plant, work to focus on automating filter control system
• Approved adding three more officers to the Mount Vernon Police Department
• Gave a second reading to legislation creating the position of community advocacy relations division liaison, position to focus on domestic violence cases
• Gave a first reading to an ordinance rezoning 301 and 303 N. Norton St. from R-1 single-family to PCDD (planned commercial development district)
• Approved updates to the codified ordinances
• Reappointed Lacey Filkins to the Historical Review Commission and Susie Simpson to the Board of Zoning Appeals, and appointed Jason West as alternate member to the Municipal Planning commissioners
Public participation
Resident Judy Hall spoke about complaints on social media about water bills, the cleanliness of the water, staining of clothes, and lack of notification when the city is working on pipes. She noted that many residents do not see the Facebook notifications, especially the elderly, and said the charge assessed by the credit card companies for paying bills online is a hardship to seniors.
