Mount Vernon selected for Learning Labratory award

The city of Mount Vernon got some good news from a national organization.

They found out they were selected through the National League of Cities as one of three chosen for a Learning Laboratory award.

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr and Human Resources Director Elizabeth Turner said during a news conference Tuesday that Mount Vernon was selected for the honor, along with Seattle, Washington, and Little Rock, Arkansas.

“We were selected from a nationwide application process in early January,” Turner said. “It really focuses on HR employment practices, employee relations.”

The city had orientation with the program last week, with coaching sessions from the American Institution of Research. Turner said it will help them work through an action plan and is a six-month process.

“(It has) Tons of resources for small cities, big cities,” Starr said. “It will help us top to bottom in what we need to meet our mission of providing modern services.”

City officials also got word they could begin moving into their new offices at 236 S. Main St., beginning Friday. The city has agreed to lease the bottom two floors of the COTC building to use as offices for the mayor and several other departments.

Starr said that construction is moving along well, but council chambers will probably not be ready to host a meeting until April.

Josh Beltz with the water/wastewater department, reported they are moving ahead on the design process for the EPA mandated phosphorus reduction project at the wastewater treatment plant. Due to a retirement in the department, they will be offering a civil test for a shift operator position soon.

He also mentioned that the cold spell in January and early February caused some havoc with water and sewer lines being frozen and bursting. He said they have fixed various main leaks, but if any resident is still dealing with a loss of pressure, they can call the office at 740-393-9504.

City Engineer said that two projects are currently out to bid and will be opened on Feb. 26.

The first is the rebuilding of the brick streets on Hamtramck and Burgess between Main and Sandusky. The project will include utilities, sidewalks, curbs and the replacing of the bricks. The second is for new pickleball courts at Riverside Park.

Ball also mentioned they had a pre-construction meeting on the Knox Cattleman’s Company Dam and that design work is finalizing on the softball fields at Memorial Park and the State Route 13/Sandusky Street project.

New building frames are also going up at the Liberty Crossing development after permits were approved for water and sewer lines.

Kristen Goldner, administrative assistant for Public Works, reported the streets department has finally slowed down and gotten back to normal business after the major snowstorm that struck Knox County a few weeks ago. She said they are filling in potholes when they can and working on inspecting stop signs around the city.

Goldner also said the parks department is working on the pumphouse at the Hiawatha Water Park.