June 2024 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 6/28/24.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

• A discussion about current construction and maintenance projects for the city. He shares the progress of these projects:

• Catherine Street Community Development Block Grant
• Center Street
• North End Project near Dan Emmett Elementary School
• The City has 9 active projects going on now. They are close to closing out 3 of those projects. 
• Mayor Starr gives a reminder to have patience during the summer cycle for current construction and maintenance projects.
• He also talks about his philosophy of working in residential areas around the city.
• Mayor Starr shares information and updates from the Mount Vernon Street Department. He shares updates on these projects:
  • Brick Street Reconstruction and Rehabilitation
  • Catch Basin Repairs on the south end of town
  • Street Sweeping
  • Spraying for Weeds
  • Bee City USA Program for Mount Vernon
  • Tree Trimming
  • Pothole Patching – You can call 740-393-9501 to report a pothole
• Mayor Starr shares information and updates from other City Departments. He shares updates on these projects:
  • The Mount Vernon Public Buildings and Lands Department
  • Maintenance and cleaning of the fountain on the Public Square
  • Flags on the graves of veterans
  • Work on City Offices – HVAC system, deep cleaning of floors and carpeting and putting up blood-borne pathogen kits.
• Mayor Starr shares information and updates from other City Departments. He shares updates on these projects:
  • The Mount Vernon Utilities/Water and Wastewater Department
  • They are working with a new Communications System that helps control the city’s water and wastewater capabilities. It is a computer based that monitors all devices and greatly assists the gathering of information.
  • The Water Plant Clarifier Tank is now up and running.
  • Lime Treatment System
  • Having redundancy systems in place in case of a water emergency
  • Utilities Technician Test is being offered in July
  • Working with Ohio Means Jobs for a fire hydrant painting program
  • Hauling Lime
• Mayor Starr shares an update on the upgrades that are being made to the public parks, including the Hiawatha Water Park and Pool. He also addresses the problem of vandalism at the parks and how the city is managing this issue.
• Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission.
  • Earlier this month, they voted unanimously to recommend that Mount Vernon City Council adopt the updated zoning code as presented.
  • Mayor Starr shares the background on the need to update our current zoning code and the process of the update.
  • He also shares the timeline of future readings with City Council and the upcoming hearing for public comment.
• Mayor Starr shares updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
  • City Council gave approval to proceed with a grant application for USEPA funding. The Mayor tells us more about this process and how these funds will help the community.
  • City Council’s decision on recreational marijuana
  • City Council’s adoption of legislation to construct a new salt barn. The Mayor shares more details on this project and how it will help the City face winter weather.
• Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
  • State Senator Andrew Brenner’s announcement that funding will be coming to our city. The Police Department will receive $2 million dollars from the One Time Strategic Community Investment Fund.
  • PAK (Police and Kids) United is having some fun events this summer
  • Assistant Chief Andy Burns will be sworn in soon.
• Mayor Starr shares an update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department.
  • A new Assistant Fire Chief has been sworn in – Josh Lester.
  • Contract negotiations for the next 3 years.
• Mayor Starr shares an update and details about the 4th of July Celebration at Ariel Foundation Park. He talks about parking, times of the celebration, when streets will close, location of restrooms, food trucks and the best exit plan for families. The Mayor promises that the fireworks will start at 10pm this year!
• Mayor Starr shares a list of events planned for the City in July.
  • July First Friday
  • Sundays on the Public Square
  • Farmers Markets
  • Blues, Brews and BBQ Event
• He will put a lot of his efforts into the budgeting process. It will start in July this year. They will be looking at 2025, 2026 and 2027.
• Goals for July:
  • Close out some active projects
  • Finalize the grant for the inflation reduction act
  • Get the new neo-gov software in place to help with the city’s human resources and payroll systems
  • Writing the ballot language for the Edgewood Road improvement project
• He also shares how we can pray for him and his team.
  
  To stay in touch with the City, go to:
• Website – http://www.mountvernonohio.org
• Facebook – The City of Mount Vernon
• Twitter – CityMV1805
• YouTube – The City of Mount Vernon
• LinkedIn – City of Mount Vernon, Ohio