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The Mount Vernon City Council met to review new ordinances and discuss costs associated with the Long Term Control Plan.
Mayor Rosemary Knowles began the meeting by announcing this is the beginning of the diagonal parking they had discussed a few years back - only between Third and Fourth Streets.
Mayor’s attorney Scott Funkhouser added the work was tabled earlier because of the downtown study that was being done.
Knowles agreed and added once the study was done, diagonal parking was labeled a perceived problem, not a real one. She added the downtown businesses are asking for this change in parking, and as a result, a four-way stop may need to be added at Third and Main, though it may not be necessary.
Councilman John Tucker asked about the CSO/SSO long going issue. He said he understands Wessler was contracted to do the work. He asked if the council could be kept up to date on that.
Knowles replied all of that is in the Board of Works minutes.
Councilman Tucker added he also understands there will be $350,000 in soft costs.
Knowles agreed and added they have known about this for some time. She continued by saying that the Long Term Control Plan was never approved by the state, and it was a huge ordeal.
She added the LTCP had to be redone because, according to the state, there was not sufficient data gathered. She added they also have to spend $118,000 for flow monitoring that the city could do itself, but the state will not allow it. She added it is very costly.
Councilman Tucker said the city has no choice, he realizes that, he would just like to be kept up to date.
Knowles replied that he could always come to the Board of Works meetings anytime; and the council always gets copies of the Board of Works minutes, though she would be happy to answer questions anytime.
The council then read the proposed Ordinance Concerning the Construction of Additions and Improvements to the Sewage Works of the City of Mount Vernon, Indiana, the Issuance of Revenue Bonds to Provide the Preliminary Cost Thereof, the Collection, Segregation and Distribution of the Revenues of said Sewage Works, the Safeguarding of the Interests of the Owners of said Revenue Bonds, other Matters Connected Therewith, Including the Issuance of Notes in Anticipation of Bonds, and Repealing Ordinances Inconsistent Herewith.
City Council attorney Beth Higgins added these bonds are up to $350,000 and for the sewer project only.
Funkhouser added he believes this bond ordinance is like the others they have passed, and only requires two readings.
Attorney Higgins stated the ordinance needed to be presented this evening and final adoption will be at the October 23 meeting. Council may review the Ordinance for final adoption on the Oct. 23.
The next item was the first reading of the proposed Ordinance Establishing a Vehicle Seat Belt Policy for the City of Mt. Vernon, Indiana.
Higgins said the ordinance applies to passenger vehicles and front seat passengers only. She added it appears the insurance carrier wants all employees wearing seat belts at all times, though this is just a recommendation from them.
Attorney Higgins said she sent the state statute to the Council. She added if this ordinance is adopted, penalties would have to be integrated into each department’s disciplinary actions, and she has classified this as a Minor Infraction.
Attorney Higgins asked what direction the Council would like to go in. She also reminded Council that if a department added something to their SOP regarding this matter, it can be more restrictive than the state law, but not less restrictive.
Council agreed for attorney Higgins to draft a new ordinance.
Knowles then moved to first reading on the proposed Ordinance Establishing Salaries for Elected Officials for the City of Mount Vernon for the Year Ending December 31, 2007.
Councilman Tucker said his point of view on the mayor getting a $3,000 raise is that all the other employees got a $1,500 raise and that the mayor should lead by example and refuse her raise.
Councilman Tucker said he will have to vote against this ordinance, and he would feel the same way if the position was very underpaid. He then admitted it is not overpaid.