Mount Vernon City Council seats new members, passes early legislation

The Mount Vernon City Council welcomed two new members and got right into passing legislation at its meeting Monday.

Taylor Jacklin (third ward) and Dale Miller (at-large) both participated in their first meetings since being elected in November.

During the organizational meeting prior to the regular session, council elected Mel Severns as President Pro-Tem and also named council committee members. Amber Keener and John Ruckman will be on Employee and Community Relations; James Mahan and Severns on Finance & Budget; Jacklin and Keener on Land Use & Development; LeNan Hager and Jacklin on Parks & Recreation; Miller and Hager on Police, Fire and Civil Defense; Severns and Mahan on Streets & Public Buildings; and Ruckman and Miller on Utilities.

Keener was chosen to remain as the city’s member on the Knox County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau board; Ruckman will be on the Experience Mount Vernon board; and Hager will be on the Foundation Park Conservancy board.

During regular session, council adopted several resolutions.

The first authorizes the sale, by internet auction, of city-owned personal property that is obsolete or unfit for use.

A second confirmed the mayor’s appointment of Barb Blazer to the Recreation Board and Kathy Greenich to the New Community Authority board. The NCA board will meet on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in council chambers at City Hall.

And a third adopted the rules of conduct during city council meetings.

Council also had first readings on resolutions authorizing the safety-service director to advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the 2026 street chip seal project, as well as advertising for bids for the renovation of two floors of 236 S. Main St. for the new Mount Vernon Municipal Center.

The next meeting of council will be Monday, Jan. 26, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.