MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr apologized for losing his temper at the Feb. 24 council meeting, saying he truly was surprised by the outcome of the vote on the communications director position.
“I want the public to know that I’m sorry for losing my temper, and that I’m committed to working with council on it and every other issue,” he said. “There’s too much at stake to quarrel over that.”
Referencing the firestorm on social media, Starr clarified some comments.
“I’m not excusing, I’m just explaining,” he said. “When I said we have an understanding of no surprises at council meetings, it’s not that we’re holding secret meetings in the back room and breaking the law.
“It’s really having the time to be able to prepare to answer questions council or other people might have.”
Starr did not hear anything from council in the weeks before the vote, which frustrated him because he did not have time to explain how the position would benefit the city.
“Clearly I snapped, and that’s my responsibility to control,” he said.
Starr said council and the administration have another understanding: When a decision is made, everyone moves on.
“I want to reassure the council and the public that we are moving on and we have moved on,” he said.
Council President Bruce Hawkins and Council members Janis Seavolt and Mel Severns thanked Starr for his apology.
“We don’t make closed-door decisions. We do speak for ourselves,” Hawkins said.
“Thank you, Mayor Starr, for your apology. I accept it,” Severns said, adding that perhaps the three hardest words to say in life are “I am sorry.”
“I appreciate that,” he told Starr.
Memorial Building easement
Council members voted 4 to 2 to deny granting the county an easement to erect a new sign at the Memorial Building.
The current sign is on city property. The easement would connect county property (the Memorial Building and grass memorial areas) to the sign.
The easement has utility lines on it.
The county would determine the type of sign. Law Director Rob Broeren said the area is in a historic district. Therefore, the Historical Review Commission must approve the sign.
City Engineer Brian Ball worked with County Engineer Cameron Keaton to design a sign base that would not disturb the underground utilities.
Councilwoman Amber Keener was absent from Monday’s meeting, but Severns relayed her concerns:
•A sign in general
•A potentially lighted sign
•Potential obstruction of drivers’ view exiting the Memorial Building
Ball said the sign would not obstruct drivers’ views because the administration is working with the county to remove the vehicle entrance west of the sign because of potential safety hazards for pedestrians entering and exiting the Memorial Building.
A surprise vote
Councilman James Mahan was surprised by the vote.
Referencing communications received about the look and type of sign, he said the administration did a good job of explaining that the city was not determining what kind of sign.
“What we were doing is working with the county on a utility easement. Frankly, I don’t understand why we voted that down,” he said.
“I feel like we need to be looking to be partners with the county.”
Mahan said Ball worked well with the county engineer’s office and that organizations using the Memorial Building asked for the sign.
“I must be missing something, but I don’t understand why we don’t work with our partners,” he said.
Because the city denied the easement, the county must place the sign on its property. City code does not allow off-premises signs.
Broeren said that likely means moving or relocating one of the fallen veterans’ memorials.
Council members Severns, Tammy Woods, Seavolt, and Mike Miller voted no.
Legislative action
Council took the following additional actions on Monday:
•Gave a first read to legislation adjust appropriations
•Suspended the rules and approved supplemental appropriations of $2,351.54 for a state fire marshal training reimbursement grant
•Approved two Then and Now payments, disposing of vehicles the Mount Vernon Police Department no longer needs, and sections of city code relating to the recreation board, parks and playgrounds, and camping to reconcile language
•Gave a first read to legislation approving a contract with Gray Matter Systems for a data collection and information system for the water and wastewater treatment plants
•Approved on third reading placing the positions of assistant director of plant maintenance, fire marshal, and administrative chief deputy clerk of court in pay grades 9, 8, and 5, respectively
•Adopted a resolution supporting State Issue 2, which renews the State Capital Improvement Program
•Acknowledged Councilman Mike Miller’s resignation due to health and family reasons.
