MOUNT VERNON – Representatives from multiple departments within the City of Mount Vernon met with West End residents at Arch Avenue Park on July 12 to discuss priorities for the homeowners and how the city is meeting them.
Mayor Matt Starr told the Mount Vernon News that he was joined by Safety-Service Director Rick Dzik, Mount Vernon Police Capt. Scott McKnight, Sgt. Justin Willis and Lt. Qade Lewis, the department’s community advocate, Dan Jackman, Second Ward Councilman John Ruckman and Mike Miller, who is running unopposed for an at-large council seat in the November election.
“We had plenty of people to answer questions if needed,” Starr said.
The first topic, and what he said is the number one priority for this part of the city, is getting a flood plain study conducted. The city hopes to pull all the homeowners out of the designated flood plain through the study so that they are not required to have flood insurance.
“Unfortunately, FEMA is not willing to help with this project, even though – well, they’re just not willing to help with this project,” Starr said.
The city will use what resources it can for the study. This fall, it will start surveying after the leaves fall off the trees.
“That’s a cost-saving measure for us, because we don’t have to then use satellites,” he said.
Without the leaves, lasers and other tools can “see” through the branches, he said.
Consultants have quoted an estimate in excess of $300,000 to conduct the full study. Starr said the city does not have those funds now, but can plan to use some ARPA and engineering funds to get started, and later work with the City Council, and Auditor Terry Scott, to determine what can be done.
“But this is an incredibly important project for the West End, because that flood insurance can be very expensive," Starr said. "One of the residents said it was it was more than half the mortgage."
More than 600 homeowners in the West End could be affected.
Invasive species eradication planned at levee
The city is working on a plan for the dike and levee maintenance, particularly the eradication of invasive species such as honeysuckle. Any of the vegetation with 15 feet on either side of the levee must be cleared to create a vegetation-free zone, Starr said.
The Bee City Mount Vernon group is interested in replacing the invasive honeysuckle with native, pollinator-friendly plants like serviceberry, paw paw, buttonbush and native grasses. That might prevent the honeysuckle from returning, he said.
The city is waiting for a quote from a contractor on the project. Stormwater funds will pay for some of the work that has already been completed, as it is a major part of the flood control plan for the entire county, according to Starr.
A study of sanitary sewer lines in the West End most likely will result in a full replacement of the sanitary sewer system south of High Street and west of Norton Street, Starr said. That had been needed for quite some time, he said.
Arch Avenue Park design feedback sought
Conceptual plans for redesigning Arch Avenue Park, which were about 80% complete, were passed out to challenge the residents on what their preferences are for the park. Sidewalks were an immediate request, because it’s not safe to push children in strollers on the road to get to the park.
“We have to relocate the pavilion and some of the trees, because they’re just underneath the electric company’s easement,” Starr said.
The utility company needs access to those power lines, he added. The mayor's preference would be to complete the park’s redesign and get the pavilion out from under the power lines at the same time.
He also updated the residents on plans for a splash pad and multipurpose facility at Riverside Park.
Mixing lime with compost, topsoil might add to its uses
The city continues with its plans for lime removal, important to West End residents as the lime lagoons and the city’s water treatment plant are in this part of the city. Farmers don’t need the lime in their fields now as the fields are in full bloom. Once the harvest happens, they’ll start seeing a lot more movement of lime, according to Starr.
“We’re also looking to see if we can come up with a system to mix it with topsoil and compost it, and then we could it could possibly remove some of the limitations for the beneficial use," he said. "So we're working with EPA on that as well and seeing what options we have to be able to move a lot more lime more rapidly."
Traffic, concerts and economic development discussed
Bus drop-off lanes will be added on Main Street at the Knox Learning Center, the former West End school, Starr said. That will be helpful because the road is narrow there and with on-street parking, it’s difficult for cars to get in and out when school buses are operating.
Starr introduced the East High Street Porch Concert series to the West End residents and invited them to attend a future concert to find out if they’d like to try the same thing in their neighborhood. The city isn’t organizing the concerts, but is supporting them by closing off roads and keeping safety personnel available.
He also updated the residents on the activities of the Area Development Foundation with Heartland Commerce Park. Four buildings have been sold and two are active, according to Starr. Knox Transit will be a tenant, and American Isostatic Presses announced it will move into the area.
The commercial site hopes to make parking lot improvements in 2024, which will help “dress up” the area.
Law Director Rob Broeren explained the process of how annexation, zoning and permitting work, including the requirements and restrictions under Ohio state law.
Assistant City Engineer Quentin Platt explained the process of designing, engineering and completing projects, and why everything takes so long.
“One of the realities that we face is competing priorities, and someone has a project that they want to see done and we have to pull resources off," Starr said. "And that’s what kind of slows us down and takes us off of what we had planned."
Members of the Police Department took notes and were able to take notes and discuss issues and questionable activities that residents had seen.
Starr said, when he left, Councilman Ruckman was still talking with the West End residents.
“It’s very different than having someone come up to a city council meeting to speak or your office," Starr said. "But when you meet them on their turf, it’s more powerful and more enriching."
