City approves infrastructure improvements for uptown

The City of Mount Vernon also approved moving forward with roughly $500,000 in electrical and fiber optic needs for the new light poles with Alliant Energy.

The additional fiberoptic and electrical line work were elements that would need to be addressed in a streetscape project in the uptown anyway, said city administrator Chris Nosbisch.

“I was hoping we’d get by with doing either just the fiber optic lines only,” Nosbisch said. “With what we’re doing with these new light poles, however, that will allow us to run electrical much easier for mobile vendors during festivals.”

Council member Mark Andreasen said this would likely remove some tripping hazards on sidewalks at festivals, as the electrical cords would not be run across sidewalks in the community.

Nosbisch said the timeline for bidding this work would probably happen fairly quickly, as the new light poles are expected to be installed ahead of Chalk the Walk in May.

Public works director Eldon Downs said by having additional power outlets on those light poles it would cut down on the work of electricians required at festivals, as power has to be connected from those light poles at every festival.

City approves site plan work for MV Brews

MV Brews site plan was approved by City of Mount Vernon, as work is slated to begin this year on the renovation of the old Mount Vernon Fire Station into a brew pub and restaurant.

The planning and zoning commission recommended approval for the site plan, as long as the improvements comply to exterior lighting and signage regulations.

Changes to the exterior include the creation of a patio in front of the building and a canopy along the east side of the building for a proposed entrance to the business.

MV Brews received a grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority for $100,000 in November 2023.

Water bills higher due to new water meters

Water bills were higher for the first month of the readings by the new radio water meter readers.

Mount Vernon city administrator Chris Nosbisch said most bills have a minimum amount that needs to be paid each month.

Nosbisch said if a water meter was 10 or 15 years old when it was replaced, there’s a good chance what is happening is actual water usage is being more accurately captured.

“What happens when water meters get old, is they slow down in their readings of the water being used,” Nosbisch said. “That’s now being more accurately captured.”

If bills are significantly higher, like seeing prices almost doubled, Nosbisch said citizens may want to investigate and determine if they have a leak.

If citizens have questions on their water bills, they are encouraged to reach out to Mount Vernon City Hall.