MOUNT VERNON — City council gave the okay on Monday for Safety-service Director Richard Dzik to choose and contract with a firm for design services on a multi-use path on the city’s north end.
The 10-foot wide path on Mansfield Avenue will run from Belmont Avenue north to Grange Avenue. Between Belmont and Fairgrounds Road, the path will be on the east side of Mansfield Avenue. From Fairgrounds Road north to Grange, it switches to the west side because residents on the east side did not want the trail on their properties.
The project includes replacing/relocating the failing existing stormwater drains or ditches on the east side of Mansfield Avenue between Belmont and Fairgrounds Road. Some of the drainage system on the west side will also be replaced in this section.
Existing crosswalks and pedestrian signals at Belmont Avenue and Nash Street/Nuce Road will be upgraded. Additional crosswalks at Fairgrounds Road and Grange Avenue will be installed and will have flashing beacons to alert motorists of the crosswalk.
The city included the estimated $50,000 in design costs in its 2021 budget. A $900,000 Ohio Department of Transportation grant will cover 95% of the construction costs. The city will pay the remaining 5%. Utility companies will pay the cost if electric or communication poles need relocated.
The project is planned for 2023 and will provide a safer route for students walking and riding to Dan Emmett Elementary School. It will also expand the existing bike route system, specifically Bike Route 9 which goes through the city.
Council waived the three readings and approved the legislation authorizing Dzik to proceed with the design services. Council also waived the three readings and adopted the following legislation:
•Authorizing the safety-service director to issue a Request for Qualifications and choose a firm to design and oversee the upgrade of the city’s wastewater treatment plant
•Authorizing the safety-service director to apply for a $7 million, 0 percent interest loan from the Water Pollution Control Loan Fund for planning, design, and upgrade of the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Loan payments will be $233,000 a year for 30 years. Auditor Terry Scott said that by the time the loan is ready to be repaid, two other city loans totaling $234,000 a year will be retired. The city’s water/wastewater utility will cover the remaining cost.
•Amending for clarity the section and subsection numbering of city code relating to the municipal income tax passed in 2018
•Accepting the terms of OneOhio relating to the distribution of money from the opiod litigation settlement between AmeriSource Bergen, Cardinal, and McKesson and state and local governments
•Amending the definition of a “major tree” in the city’s tree planting ordinance. Under the previous ordinance, roughly 900 trees removed for the development of Gilchrist Estates would need replacement trees planted elsewhere. The definition was changed after consultation with members of the Shade Tree and Beautification Commission.
•Approving the Type 2 annexation of 1.185 acres from Monroe Township into the city as part of Schlabach Builders’ development of Gilchrist Estates
•Approving supplemental appropriations and transfers
Council also took the following action:
•Gave a second reading to legislation allowing police officers over age 35 to apply to the police department if they are currently employed full time in a law enforcement capacity. Chief Robert Morgan said the process, called a lateral transfer, could be advantageous in filling a vacancy more quickly compared to the typical eight-month process for a new recruit to apply, go through testing and interviews, complete the police academy program, and then undergo department training and field training.
•Gave a first reading to the appointment of Marilyn Hickman to the Shade Tree and Beautification Commission
Updates
Police Chief Morgan told council that the first two candidates offered the position of community advocate declined the position. Both cited the proposed hours as being the primary reason, although other factors also came into play.
The department revised the job description to include hours being essentially a 12-hour shift with every other weekend off. The position will be reposted.
The trial period for 12-hour officer shifts ends this month. Officers voted to continue the 12-hour shift, which Morgan said has reduced overtime, both mandatory and voluntary.
Departmental statistics through July 31:
•Received 13,600 calls for service, an increase of 3,000 compared to last year
•Written 2,008 reports, of which 270 were accidents
•Made 1,666 traffic stops (94.9% Caucasian, 4.6% African-American, .5% other)
•Made 1,116 misdemeanor arrests and filed charges on 288 (188 charges were drug-related and all were indicted)
•Collected 7.6 grams heroin, 43.7g fentanyl, 307g meth/meth laced with fentanyl, 6 kilos of marijuana, 9 illegal/stolen guns
•Through last Thursday, made 140+ traffic stops in North Sandusky Street area; issued more than 40 citations related to running stop signs and trucks being off state route
•Started use of new body cams last week
Joel Mazza updated council on the progress of the former middle school on North Mulberry Street.
Emily Morrison, Mental Health and Recovery Board for Licking and Knox Counties, presented an annual report on organizational activities.
Heidi Miller of Clemens-Nelson and Associates briefed council on a compensation study ($11,800) and organizational analysis ($18,500) her firm is conducting for the city. Council member Samantha Scoles requested the assessment.
The compensation study involves full-time non-bargaining positions and seeks to establish minimum-maximum ranges that are defensible for the city. Preliminary results show that taken together, the positions are at 88% of 100, meaning they are below market value compared to a number of surrounding cities.
The organizational analysis focused on public works, public utilities, and the city engineering department. Miller said that preliminary results show no positions being taken away, but suggested reclassifying the engineer’s assistant position to project manager and adding a true assistant engineer position.
Miller will present final results to council in a few weeks.
Council heard from Anthony McNeil from Main Street Mount Vernon regarding establishing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA).
