Category: Mount Vernon Spotlight

October 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 10/28/22.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 10/28/22.

Topics included:

  • An update on current construction and maintenance projects
    • Finishing the Municipal Parking Garage
    • Columbus Rd / South Main intersection curbing and guttering
  • Budgeting for projects in the upcoming 3 years
  • An update on the City’s plans for snow removal this winter.
  • The City is currently hiring seasonal workers to help with leaf removal.
  • An update about the funding the City received from the Ohio Department of Development to help with community improvements.
    • Mount Vernon is receiving a $500,000 critical infrastructure grant that will fund repairs to the brick streets and other improvements for North Catherine Street.
    • Mount Vernon is also receiving a $750,000 neighborhood revitalization grant that will be used to:
      • Solve water line problems around Dan Emmett Elementary School, Mansfield Avenue, Taylor Avenue, Nuce Road, and Nash Street.
      • Along with an ODOT grant, create a multi-use path on Mansfield Road to give Dan Emmett students a safe path to walk or bike to school.
  • Mayor Matt Starr gives us an update from the Mount Vernon Municipal Planning Commission regarding a preliminary plat for Heartland Commerce Park (formerly known as Cooper Progress Park) and the comprehensive development plan for the area. He shares that the site plan has allowed the real estate agents to sell or rent the sectioned-off parcels of property. He tells us that there is interest in the properties.
  • Updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
    • A public hearing was held regarding rezoning a parcel of real estate on State Route 13 for a developer who wants to put a housing development. In the next 60 days, a public presentation will be held by the developer to go over the site plan.
    • A committee meeting was held regarding the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) with the Parks and Public Lands committee
    • A reorganizational meeting was held by the Utilities Department as they said farewell to Brian McKeever, the pre-treatment coordinator and operator.
    • Mayor Matt Starr shares that the City Council approved $2,000 to be used on a workforce development and employee recognition program to honor those who’ve dedicated many years of their life to public service.
  • Mayor Matt Starr encourages Mount Vernon residents to give their opinions on the Zoning Code Survey. The survey can be accessed from the City’s website and social media accounts. They can rate different pictures of ideas for housing and design in Mount Vernon. This will help the City plan for various kinds of housing.
  • Update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
    • Continued training for officers
    • The increase in speed violations was reported, and this is due to an officer dedicated to patrolling areas of the City, specifically in school zones and neighborhoods.
  • Update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department including updates on recent training.
    • October is Fire Prevention Month, and Mayor Starr shares fire safety advice regarding electricity.
    • The Fire Department has also been performing driver’s training and physical fitness tests.
  • Mount Vernon’s designation as an Official Bee City
  • Mayor Starr shares a list of events planned for the City in November.
    • Planning budgets for upcoming projects.
    • Trick or Treat on Oct. 31
    • Veteran’s Day ceremony on Public Square on 11/11 at 11am
    • Preparing for snow
  • Mayor Starr shares the immediate goals for October

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

0

August 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 8/26/22.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

  • An update on current construction and maintenance projects
    • the progress of the projects in the Sunset Street area, Columbus Road/South Main Street intersection
    • update on the paving in the Clinton Road/Fearn Avenue/Pearl Avenue/Grange Avenue area
  • Information about the BIG projects coming from Columbia Gas and AEP for the West side of the City. The plan is to replace pipelines and install new transmission lines.
  • News that the City Engineering Department has secured a federal grant for over $262,000 for design work on the South Sandusky Street Corridor.
  • Update on the project of removing and relocating the lime sludge from the city water treatment plant. Mayor Starr shares an update on the current status of the project and the EPA’s investigation. The City is working on a compliance plan.
  • Updates from Mount Vernon City Council:
    • Ariel Foundation grant of $7,700 for the design of a first responders memorial at CA & C Depot
    • PAK United received a donation from Working Class Roofing and Mr. Tax of Mount Vernon
    • Council is discussing the idea of contracting a pool management company for 2023
    • Requests for proposals are coming soon for the roofs at the CA & C Visitors Center and the B & O Railroad Station
    • Street Resurfacing projects in the North End
    • Historical Review Commission Update
    • Ohio Civil Service Employees Union Contract 
  • Update from the Mount Vernon Police Department.
    • They did assist the Knox County Sheriff’s Office with the recent shootings.
    • June statistics show 1,436 calls for service.
  • Update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department including updates on recent training.
    • The Fire Department beat the Police Department in the PAK United Softball Game last week, 11-9.
    • The Umpire Glenn Clark was presented with a Community Service Event for his countless hours in volunteering.
    • The Fire Department received a FEMA (Assistance to Firefighters) grant for $188,000 to purchase new hoses, nozzles and a vehicle exhaust removal system.  
  • Mayor Starr shares a list of events planned for the City in September.
    • Public meetings on the Mansfield Avenue shared youth path, to provide safe paths to school
    • September First Friday
    • Battle of the Badges Blood Drive for the American Red Cross
    • McCartney Experience at the Woodward Opera House
    • Clint Black Concert at the Knox Memorial
    • Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast is planned for September 21st with a focus on how we are dealing with trauma and the stories of hope that come from crisis.
    • Goal setting for the 2023 City Budget
    • Start of Phase 2 of the City’s Strategic Planning
  • Mayor Starr shares the immediate goals for September
    • finish the work on the City’s Parking Garage
    • work on plans for the new Courthouse, City Law Office and the Police Department
    • start nailing down the next paving schedule for the city

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

0

July 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 7/29/22.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

  • tax abatement for the old Mount Vernon Middle School  
  • update on the collapse of lights on Coshocton Avenue
  • Updates on current construction projects including the projects that will be worked on in August
  • Updates from City Council include:
    • Ohio Eastern Star Home Planned Development Site Plan approval
    • Grants from the Ariel Foundation to hire a consultant for Phase 2 of the City’s Strategic Plan
    • Update on tree planting regulations in the neighborhood development plan
    • Concerns from residents about the location of the new courthouse
  • Updates from the Police and Fire Departments
  • Mount Vernon’s calendar highlights for August
  • Goals for the Mayoral Office in August

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

0

June 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 6/24/22. 

Click HERE to hear the full conversation. 

Topics included: 

  • Updates about clean up from recent storms
  • City planning for future storms
  • Updates on street construction, and dye testing for the wastewater sites so they can proceed with new water lines
  • Mount Vernon parking garage project
  • The grant application process that is currently ongoing for different city projects
  • Mount Vernon City Council updates including city employee recognition, the sale of  impounded vehicles that were never claimed and the creation of a new street code regarding accessible pedestrian street parking
  • An update from the Mount Vernon Police Department including recent training developments and a Pak United event with a community dodgeball game
  • An update from the Mount Vernon Fire Department including a report on how the team tackled the storm clean up
  • Upcoming events including details of Mount Vernon’s 4th of July celebration
  • Goals for July

To stay in touch with the City, go to: 

0

May 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 5/27/22.

Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

  • Updates on current construction projects including new projects that will be starting in June
  • Details about Community Development Block Grants
  • Information about getting steel to fix issues at the City Parking Garage
  • The Project of building a new Court House and the impact on retailers in downtown
  • Updates from City Council include:
    • Discussion on the Bird Scooters
    • Updates from the Employee and Community Relations Committees
    • the creation of a Workforce Development Fund
    • Childcare study was completed by the Area Development Foundation. There is a great need for daycare services in our community.
  • Updates from the Police and Fire Departments
  • Updates from the Mount Vernon City Parks and Hiawatha Water Park and Pool. The pool opens on Saturday, 5/28!
  • Mount Vernon’s plans for Memorial Day
  • Goals for the Mayoral Office in June
  • Events on the City’s Calendar

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

0

April 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 4/29/22.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

  • Updates on current construction projects including new projects that will be starting in May
  • Details about the project of removing lime sludge from the lime lagoons at the intersection of Ohio 229 and Harcourt Road
  • Vandalism at Public Parks and how you can help
  • What YOU can do when you encounter a pothole in the city. You can call the Mount Vernon Street Department directly at 740-393-9501.
  • What YOU can do when you see a street light outage. You can report these outages at http://www.aepohio.com
  • Updates from City Council including:
    • Vote on the rezoning of acreage on Coshocton and Upper Gilchrist Roads for the Rockford Development
    • Problems with trash removal in the overnight hours
    • Approval for the purchase of lime sludge removal equipment for the Water Department
    • Potential Audible Crosswalk Signals
  • Updates from the Police and Fire Departments
  • Updates from the Mount Vernon City Parks and Hiawatha Water Park and Pool. The pool opens on Saturday, 5/28!
  • Mount Vernon’s plans for Memorial Day
  • Goals for the Mayoral Office in May
  • Events on the City’s Calendar

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

0

March 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Thursday, 3/31/22.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

  • Updates on current construction projects
  • Update on potholes in the city. You can call 740-393-9501 to report potholes.
  • Personnel changes
  • Details on the $62 million dollar project called The Retreat at Mount Vernon
  • Updates from City Council
  • Updates from the Police and Fire Departments
  • Updates on the opening of the parks and Hiawatha Water Park and Pool
  • Goals for the Mayoral Office in April
  • Events on the City’s Calendar

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

0

February 2022 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 2/25.

Click HERE to hear the conversation.
Topics included:
-Updates on City maintenance projects, construction, and improvements
-How residents can respond when they encounter potholes this winter
-Weather damage to the river banks
-Updates from City Council
-Updates from the Police and Fire Departments
-Goals for the Mayoral Office in March
-Events on the City’s Calendar

To stay in touch with the City, go to:
Website – www.mountvernonohio.org
Facebook – The City of Mount Vernon
Twitter – CityMV1805

0

November 2021 Spotlight on Mount Vernon with Mayor Matt Starr

Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr shared updates on the City with The Morning Thing on Friday, 11/26.
Click HERE to hear the full conversation.

Topics included:

  • Construction projects happening in Mount Vernon including Chestnut Street.
  • Updates on Sandusky Street including the delays of the light poles and how that will impact traffic flow throughout the rest of 2021.
  • Construction project updates including South Main Street bike trail underpass, city-wide paving, bike trail upgrades at Ariel Foundation Park, and water lines on McKinley, East, Marion and Madison Streets.
  • Mayor Starr discussed the underground water reservoir and the upgrades being completed by the city. He also talked about the Oak Street and Catherine Street project.
  • Updates from Mount Vernon City Council including the donation of the County Landfill parcel of land to the County. He also talked about some upcoming purchases for the Street Department and shared that the city is in remarkable shape following the pandemic.
  • City Council is considering joining MORPCE (Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission).
  • Updates on the Mount Vernon Fire Department and the Gambier Station Transition.
  • Updates on Mount Vernon Police Department including the swearing in of 3 new officers and the arrival of the new Community Advocate.
  • Goals for the month of December – finishing up several construction projects, creating punch cards (final check lists for the contractors) for about 8-9 projects, meeting with department heads to discuss goals and budgets and launching new web videos with a new marketing message for the city. Mount Vernon’s NEW tagline is “An innovative community, authentically hometown”.
  • Mayor Starr talked about his big goals for the city in 2022. He wants to look at the organizational structure for the city. He wants to restructure the utilities and engineering departments.
  • We also shared details about some community events happening as we wrap up November and head into December. Mayor Starr shares with how to stay connected with community updates and events. He also talks about how people can pray for him and his team.

To stay in touch with the City, go to:

0

WNZR’s October Spotlight on Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon Mayor, Matt Starr talked with WNZR about the City of Mount Vernon.

Click HERE to hear the Mayor’s conversation with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart.


This October Spotlight covered many topics:

  • construction updates
  • current projects in the city
  • updates from Mount Vernon City Council
  • updates on both the city police department and fire department
  • recent Census results
  • Goals for November
  • highlights of the November calendar

Stay up to date on what is happening in Mount Vernon:

Website: www.mountvernonohio.org
Facebook: thecityofmountvernon
Twitter: citymv1805

0

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑