MOUNT VERNON – Mount Vernon residents and businesses can apply for permits online with the installation of iWorQ software.
With an Internet connection and a smart device, residents can fill out and review applications for permits including zoning, sign and water access. Images supporting the applications can be uploaded. Applications are reviewed administratively through the software and permits are issued online.
“The people who are using it — including major contractors, utilities people, as well as individual homeowners — love it because don’t have to come into City Hall between 8 and 4 Monday through Friday,” Mayor Matt Starr told the Mount Vernon News.
Engineering
A water line installed on Potwin Street will provide temporary water for Catherine Street residents as sanitary sewer and water lines get installed; Jason Epley, assistant to the city engineer, told the News.
“This week we did a pressure test and started pulling bacteria samples,” he said. “They started installing the sanitary sewer system on Oak Street. And then they removed all the brick off of Oak Street between George and Catherine. So the next week they'll continue installing the sanitary sewer system and service laterals to each of the houses.”
Next up is Oak Street between Catherine and Potwin. Materials should arrive this week to install the temporary water lines for each of the houses.
The contractor has been installing catch basins and stormwater sewer pipe in the southbound lanes on Route 30 between Franklin and James streets, Epley said.
The Ohio Department of Transportation paving project on State Route 3 continues. He expects them to reach the city limits within the next two weeks.
Bids for the city’s street resurfacing are due on Thursday.
Human Resources
Maureen Perry began working as the City’s new human resources director on June 1. A native of Mount Vernon, she went through orientation during her first week. Starr will work with her on an onboarding program, which he said the City desperately needs. Overall professional staff development will also be part of her planning.
Streets
Mowing has begun in all rights-of-way, particularly in industrial areas and along state routes. They waited to mow the entire dike system in the city to wait for bees. The City recently committed to becoming a Bee City to support these pollinators.
“Also, we started spraying for weeds on some of those City rights-of-way,” Starr said.
The Street Department also installed 35 feet of pipe and catch basins in a stormwater project.
“The old ones were just way beyond repair, and they were just obsolete,” he said. “So we were able to do that one in-house.”
Public Buildings and Land
Office renovations are complete at City Hall. An office for the new community advocate the City plans to hire has also been completed.
A project delayed due to COVID-19 was put back on track, allowing for a new grease trap to be installed in the Fire Department’s kitchen.
Members of Public Buildings, Land, Cemetery and Utilities departments completed customer service training. Starr said this type of training will be made ongoing.
