MOUNT VERNON — City Council members discussed a $2 million Community Investment Grant that Ohio State Sen. Andrew Brenner secured for the new police station in a Police, Fire, and Civil Defense Committee meeting on Monday.
The money comes from the One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund.
City officials learned of the grant in June but didn’t know how to transition the money from the state until August. The notification got lost among emails.
Councilman and committee chair James Mahan and Law Director Rob Broeren apologized for the delay in bringing it to council.
DLZ has completed a preliminary design for the new station.
The city wants an outside project manager to coordinate the project. Councilman Mike Miller concurs, noting the city must complete the project on time and on budget.
Councilwoman Tammy Woods questioned the source of the remaining funding for the station and courthouse. Salyers said the administration is working on a low-interest loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The city will apply for FEMA funds because the station will also be a shelter. Bonding and other financing options are also possibilities.
“Regardless, this has to be done,” Safety-service Director Tanner Salyers said. “This is where the administration and council will have to put their heads together and figure out a way to finance this and the court building.”
Salyers noted that eventually, money spent maintaining the Plaza Building and on electric bills will go toward the new building.
Parks Committee
Cadets Emma McGee, Arianne Scott, and Hawthorne Fleckenstein provided details about the JROTC Servitas event on Oct. 12 at Ariel-Foundation Park.
Servitas is a JROTC Raider fitness competition. Twenty-nine teams are expected to compete.
Raider Commander McGee said the competition “taught me how to be a leader.”
Scott views the competition as a personal opportunity, and Fleckenstein noted it provides an opportunity to increase communication, team trust, and the ability to improvise.
Council also heard updates on American Heritage Park, the splash pad at Riverside Park, and Memorial Park.
Legislative session
Council members took the following actions in their legislative session:
•Accepted on second reading the Budget Commission’s amounts and rates of existing tax levies: 2.6-mill General Fund levy, $1,010,600; and .30-mill each police and fire levies, $117,000 each
•Waived the three readings and approved selling two vehicles and miscellaneous equipment in the police department
•After suspending the three readings, authorized the safety-service director to bid and contract for materials, services, and supplies
•Waived the three readings and approved paying Then and Now bills, including a 2023 Staples bill sent to collection, $24,107.51 to Clemans Nelson & Associates, and $9,125 for McDaniel CPA.
•Suspended the rules and took legislation authorizing fund transfers to its third reading, approving it by a 6 to 1 vote. Transfers include $200,000 from the capital improvements fund to roads and asphalt. The city cannot build a salt barn this year ($800,000 cost), so the $200,000 was transferred to help complete the Dan Emmett improvement project. Councilwoman Amber Keener voted no.
•Approved supplemental appropriations consisting of $17,336.25 in safety grants from the Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation
•Waived the third reading on legislation creating an Upper Gilchrist Road TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District and changing the direction of travel on West Burgess and West Hamtramck streets. Salyers said the change on West Burgess caused no issues and noted that residents are excited to make the change permanent.
•Approved a contract with Moonlit Soul LLC for 49 Public Square. Law Director Rob Broeren said a change in the partnership necessitated reauthorizing the lease.
•Gave a first reading to an ordinance establishing pay grades for Director of Public Safety-Service, Director of Public Utilities, Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Engineer, Director of Public Works, Director of Human Resources, and Assistant Director of Law (I)
Public participation
Russ Mentzer suggested the city add a communications person to help promote tourism.
Dan Fox said that while Airco moved its air compressor and installed a garage door, it did not alleviate the noise at his North Jefferson Street home.
Lisa Lloyd, board chair for Experience Mount Vernon, told the council of the organization’s updated banner program policy.
