Council approves police vehicle purchase
The Mount Vernon City Council approved of a vehicle purchase for the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department.
The city had placed an order for this particular SUV more than a year and a half ago. In the time between when this vehicle was ordered, another police cruiser was damaged with a collision with a deer, requiring a replacement. That means the police department will have two vehicles purchased in the current fiscal year.
Police chief Doug Shannon said that this vehicle would be for an EcoBoost Engine, not a hybrid as originally planned. Lynch Ford is willing to offer an extended service plan for the vehicle, however.
While the city did approve of this purchase in 2022, city administrator Chris Nosbisch wanted the council to have the opportunity to discuss this before it was approved.
Council member Scott Rose asked how often vehicles are replaced, annual or bi-annual (every other year) basis. Shannon said that the department is usually on an annual vehicle replacement ,the collision with the deer accelerated the need for more than one vehicle to be replaced this year.
“This will help give us some breathing room,” Shannon said. “We won’t take possession of this vehicle until closer to July 1, and we may sit out updating a vehicle next year as mileage on vehicles may allow for that.”
Pool renovation work approved
The council approved an agreement with Waters Edge Consulting for pool renovations slated to begin this fall.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said while it is customary for architects to draw a 5 percent cost for their work, the uncertainties and potential changes that might be required to do work on the pool warranted the 12.5 percent cost for Water’s Edge work, amounting to roughly $210,000.
“There is a good chance there will be change orders and more work that is required on this project once concrete starts getting moved,” Nosbisch said. “I expect them to be working additionally to make this as smooth as possible.”
The council also approved adding the pool to an urban renewal plan for the city, allowing for the $2 million in TIF district to bee utilized for pool improvements.
That funding, Nosbisch said, was interconnected to the bond that the city applied for earlier this year and the goal is to have the funding lined up for all entities by May for these projects.
Parks and recreation master plan language approved
The council also approved changes to the language of the Parks Master Plan, as presented by the parks and recreation commission.
Commission president Bob Campagna outlined the commission is fairly active, and the language clean-up was necessary.
The language spells out the needs for all of the area parks in the community in immediate, intermediate (next one to three years) and long term (more than three years) areas to address.
Council member Stephanie West noted there was language on surveys used in 2010, and wondered if there was any more recent survey data.
Parks and recreation director Matt Siders said that the most recent survey completed was more than 10 years ago now.
Campagna said that the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council and Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation commission have received nine applications to review for new additions to the art trail in Mount Vernon.
ECICOG working on policy on accessory dwelling units
The City of Mount Vernon will also be working with the Eastern Council of Iowa Community of Governments (ECICOG) on language and policies pertaining to accessory dwelling units in the City of Mount Vernon.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said that the city’s hands are tied in not being able to regulate short term rentals, and there are concerns these buildings could be used either for low-to-moderate income housing.
ECICOG will work with the planning and zoning commission to write a proposal to present to city council to enact the proper changes. The cost for the work for ECICOG is not to exceed $5,000.
These stand alone dwellings would include areas over garages, stand alone buildings in people’s backyards and other locations.
Pipe addressed at council
The city will be looking at addressing a pipe connected to a well in the northern part of the city.
City administrator Chris Nosbisch said that the well, which comes in near Elliott Park, s one of the best wells that the city uses, but has seen a 15 percent reduction over the past year.
“Any reduction of that much from a well is cause for concern,” Nosbisch said. “In this instance, we’re certain the issue is damage to a pipe, and is something we need to get replaced.”
Costs for replacement of the pipe are unknown, but Nosbisch said that it will be something looked to be repaired this spring.
While there is a reduction in water, Nosbisch said that the community draws from multiple wells and that it is not putting the level of water in danger.