Joshua Morrison/Mount Vernon News
Committee chair Chris Menapace holds up a map which was handed out during the meeting on Monday, June 17, 2019. [request]
MOUNT VERNON — Out-going Mount Vernon City Councilmember Chris Menapace said his resignation from council for family reasons was not foreseeable when he ran for election two years ago.
In fact, his election to the seat was the start of a set of goals he hoped would one day lead to the mayor’s office.
“At the time, it was my goal to sit in one of the offices at city hall,” Menapace said. “While I am very sad to leave, my wife and I see this chance to help our parents as a privilege.”
Menapace closed on a house located between West Lafayette and Coshocton last week. His house in The Landings subdivision is still up for sale.
Menapace leaves as council is in the process of discussing a stormwater utility for the city. At the Sept. 23 meeting of council, Menapace set a schedule for a final reading of an ordinance establishing the utility in late November (however, the date may be moved into December to allow Councilmember Sam Barone to vote.)
To get to the final reading and a vote, Menapace said he feels the city must determine what is public stormwater infrastructure and what is private, a problem that has come up with repairs to the Knox Cattleman’s Dam. He said a list should be crafted after surveying all stormwater infrastructure.
The Cattleman’s Dam has been an issue in part because the state, city and residents in the area of the dam cannot agree on who owns it, and who, therefore, is to be billed for the repairs. Among those in contention over the ownership are property holders in The Landings, as well as other subdivisions.
Menapace further said he feels the stormwater utility fee for residential water customers should be implemented gradually.
As to his future plans, Menapace said he will continue in his job with the Whitehall Fire Department. After his family has settled into their home, he plans to look for ways to continue in public service in the West Lafayette/Coshocton area.
Menapace said he will miss working in the public section of Mount Vernon. Its ability to tackle big tasks cooperatively is something that many other municipalities don’t have, he said.
“I’ve worked in and worked with a lot of different governments at many levels,” Menapace said. “When you work outside the community, you don’t see the cooperation between all that you see here. It is a place where, at different levels of government, it seems like no matter what the project is we find the correct personalities to get the job done.”
