by Cheryl Splain, KnoxPages.com reporter
MOUNT VERNON — Returning to their regular bi-monthly meeting schedule on Monday, City Council members gave a first reading to legislation that will improve the city’s streets over the next few years.
Resolution No. 2013-59 authorizes Dave Glass, safety-service director, to apply for money from the Ohio Public Works Commission. The money will be used for the city’s paving program; applications are due Oct. 4. Mayor Richard Mavis said bids will be reviewed in January 2014, and the city will receive official word by July 1, 2014. If the money is granted, it will be used in 2014.
Resolution No. 2013-60 authorizes Glass to contract with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the resurfacing of Ohio 13 through the city. Roadways include Main, Gay, Chestnut and Sandusky Streets and Newark Road. ODOT will bid the project in the spring of 2016. The contract calls for 80 percent paid by ODOT and 20 percent paid by the city. If any repair or replacement needs to be completed on water or wastewater lines, pedestrian ramps or curb work, the city is also responsible for those costs.
Council passed emergency legislation authorizing the city auditor to pay additional engineering costs incurred on the Sandusky/Chestnut and Sandusky/High intersection improvement project. The previous costs were anticipated to be under $25,000; amounts under $25,000 do not require legislation by council. Because the scope of the project was extended to include additional curbing and blacktop, design costs are over the $25,000 threshold.
Relating to the Sandusky Street project, Mavis said a three-week delay is due to not receiving the traffic signal heads. The traffic signal heads have now arrived, and Mavis anticipates them being installed later this week. Councilman John Francis voiced his concern about the lack of a traffic director when work involves both sides of the street. Glass said it was the contractor’s responsibility to provide a traffic director.
Council passed legislation amending the city’s ordinances to reflect the creation of a new municipal income tax fund. The fund will hold the money received from the .50 percent city income levy passed in 1982. The state requires that the money be placed in a dedicated levy fund rather than the general fund; council created the new fund and transferred the money into the new fund at its Aug. 26 meeting. The money is used solely for fire, EMS and police.
Council also gave a first reading to legislation authorizing Glass to contract with the state for painting the steel bridge on South Main Street over Dry Creek and to legislation appointing Todd Hawkins to the Board of Trustees of the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County. A second reading was given to an ordinance vacating a portion of the alley between 609 E. Vine St. and 613 E. Vine St.
Remarks:
Mavis: Demolition is under way at the former Clark station on Coshocton Road. Repair/replacement of the cemetery wall and the McGibney Road/Ohio 3 intersection will be moved to next year’s projects; the Catherine Street and Sychar Road bridges, the American National Can cleanup and the bike trail from Ariel-Foundation Park across South Main Street are also slated for 2014.
Glass: Has received favorable comments on the 90-day trial for two-hour parking on West High Street between West and Norton streets. He will bring legislation to the next council meeting recommending making the two-hour parking permanent.
Chip McConville, city law director: Has drafted a drug ordinance that conforms city ordinances to state law. Specifically, the municipal judge is required by state law to suspend drivers’ licenses; the city has permissive language in this area. Regarding public records, McConville said state law requires public officials to attend training on public records policies; he recommends council adopt a policy requiring all department heads to attend training as well.
Councilman Mike Hillier: Provided information on state legislation introduced that establishes a pilot program for drug testing Ohio Works First applicants.
Councilwoman Nancy Vail: A meeting is set for Monday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss proposed revisions to section 1305 of the city’s ordinances. Section 1305 deals with property maintenance and vacation of properties. The public is invited to attend.
Bruce Hawkins, council president: Asked about the status of the Mazza Restaurant demolition. The city wants to buy a 20-foot width for the future widening of Sandusky Street; owner Joel Mazza is concerned the 20 feet and the city’s requirements on setbacks may decrease the value of the building. Mavis said he feels Mazza would agree to proceed if the Board of Zoning Appeals grants a setback variance; as owner, Mazza is the one who has to apply for the variance.
