by Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com reporter
MOUNT VERNON — Legislation involving wages and compensation accounted for a significant portion of the city council agenda on Monday night. Council members passed as an emergency six ordinances that set the pay of a number of city workers.
Hourly non-bargaining employees will receive a 2 percent, 2.5 percent and 2 percent raise for years 2015-17. This includes administrative assistants; deputy auditor and assistant deputy auditor; income tax assistants; executive secretaries; and legal assistants. Firefighters and paramedics will also receive a 2 percent raise in 2015, as will the safety-service director, police and fire supervisory personnel and city supervisory personnel. Three exceptions to city supervisory personnel will receive slightly higher raises due to the extra time and duties undertaken: the civil service administrator, superintendent of land, parks and cemetery, and the assistant engineer. Specific positions include:
- Safety-service director, $78,000
- Police Chief, $72,550
- Police Captain, $66,908
- Fire Chief, $72,550
- Civil Service Administrator, $10,000
- Assistant Law Director, $60,500
- Income Tax Administrator, $55,500
- Development Services Manager, $50,141
- Street Superintendent, $55,754
- Parks, Public Building and Land Superintendent, $60,750
- City Engineer, $80,010
- Administrator of Customer Service & Billing, $50,800
- Assistant to the City Engineer, $47,500
Council passed emergency legislation extending an additional $6.25 per hour for Mathias Orndorf, interim administrator of the water treatment plant. Orndorf is also serving as the wastewater treatment plant operator of record, a position required by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Council also gave a first reading to legislation setting the pay of the property enforcement officer at $44,000.
In addition to wages, council members attended to legislation on a variety of other topics:
Equipment. Passed as an emergency resolutions authorizing the sale of a 2002 dump truck used for snow plowing, a 1995 Ford ambulance no longer in use and 30 100-foot sections of 3-inch fire hose. The city took the ambulance out of the fleet 10 years ago and leased it to the Knox County Amateur Radio Club. The club no longer has a need for it. The city no longer uses 3-inch fire hose. Council also passed an emergency a resolution authorizing the purchase of a 2 ½ ton dump truck to be used for snow plowing and earth moving.
Zoning Board of Appeals. Gave a first reading to four board appointments: Todd Burson, to complete the unexpired term of Mona Nacey; Michael Percy, alternate to replace Burson; Phil Herald, to complete the unexpired term of Bill Alley; and Charles Brenneman, alternate to replace Herald.
Roadways. Gave first readings to a resolution authorizing the city to apply for Ohio Department of Transportation funding for the Mount Vernon Avenue bridge replacement project and an ordinance confirming dedication of a portion of Woodlake Trail.
Codified ordinances. Passed as an emergency an update to the city’s ordinances to conform with updates to the Ohio Revised Code.
Annexation. Gave a second reading to legislation annexing three lots totaling 29.537 acres into the city. The city has contracted for a new survey since questions have been raised as to the accuracy of the previous survey.
Dan Emmett House. Gave a first reading to legislation authorizing the Knox County Historical Society to locate a replica of Dan Emmett’s actual home at the location of what is currently called the Dan Emmett House.
Remarks:
*Mayor Richard Mavis told council members about Adaptive Homes CDC, an organization that provides housing to disabled veterans. Land for a home has been donated in Apple Valley; Adaptive Homes is searching for a veteran interested in partnering with Adaptive Homes. Veterans interested in being considered can call Katie Steiner-Filbrun at 614-805-3706. Residens may also nominate a veteran for consideration.
*Council member Sam Barone said there has been a lot of landscape vandalism at Ariel-Foundation Park. Vehicles have gone off road and into the grass, leaving deep ruts that will be difficult and expensive to repair. Barone said this will become a point of enforcement. He also noted a local Girl Scout troop will complete projects in the park and invited other groups to reduce maintenance costs by contributing civic labor.
*Council member Nancy Vail read a statement relating to the deer and geese populations in the city. She does not intend to bring any new legislation regarding deer control and said the geese issue will be addressed by administration officials. She also noted a recent change in ODOT rules allow cities to erect traffic lights on state routes if all four intersecting roads are within city limits. This will come into play if a proposed Taco Bell is established on the south side of the city.
*Several council members noted how moving and appropriate it was to dedicate a portion of Mansfield Avenue in honor of Sgt. Benjamin Laymon. Laymon was killed in combat in Iraq on June 24, 2006.
