Dear Editor,
Resolution 2024-23, better known as the Edgewood Road Improvements Project, is slated to be voted upon by City Council on March 25.
I find this very concerning for multiple reasons. The Resolution states:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE SAFETY-SERVICE DIRECTOR TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT WITH THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE REHABILITATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF EDGEWOOD ROAD (KNO CR 63A 0.00); AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY. WHEREAS, the City of Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, hereinafter referred to as the Local Public Agency (LPA) has determined the need for the described project: Widening of Edgewood Road from Gambier Road (US-229) to US-36. Roadway improvements are to include widening, drainage improvements, and multimodal improvements.
On March 11, 15 minutes was dedicated to Mr. Salyers and Mr. Ball discussing this Resolution with City Council. During this time they stated the resolution’s project description should be amended, removing the word “widening,” but instead of tabling the resolution while the document was updated, the resolution was instead approved to move forward to its third and final reading on March 25.
Mr. Slayer also tried to make it clear to both Council and attendees that Resolution 2024-23 was only approval for entering into a contract with ODOT to “design” the Edgewood Rd Improvements Project, but this is not what the resolution states. No mention was made to also fix this oversight.
The specific verbiage of the resolution matters, the words written are binding if approved.
If approved, what you meant and what you said, no longer matters. What matters is what the signed legal document states. Many people, myself included, have questioned why the city is declaring this Resolution an emergency.
Why push through this motion, which has clear opposition and prevent further public involvement? While I have heard arguments that this is due to failing gas and water lines, these things are not part of the “described project.”
While Mr. Ball stated that ODOT funding was set aside specifically to help with water lines, he also mentioned that this is atypical, and once again, this is not what the Resolution states.
Edgewood is also not part of this year’s new plastic pipe install project by Columbia. Water breaks are not exclusive to Edgewood Road nor is the need for new pavement.
While they received funding from ODOT, the money granted from the Small City Program will not be provided until the 2028 fiscal year.
How is declaring this an emergency really moving up the timeline to improve Edgewood, unless they fear that given the opportunity, members of the city will rally and stop this resolution from passing?
This is not the first time the city has tried to connect Edgewood Road to US-36. Community members have continued to fight this, as it has always been seen as detrimental to our residential neighborhoods, while increasing traffic congestion on Coshocton Avenue.
It is time for our community to once again speak up before an Emergency Resolution is passed making it too late.
Jenny Beck
Mount Vernon, Ohio