[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6171243,"mediaKeyId","5394705-da5717a46496252064b4fc77e3e1e953","parentId",5394705,"title","Mount Vernon council hears plan to update vehicle-blight rules, create code-enforcement department","audioSeconds",816,"startMs",275000,"endMs",1091000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394705-da5717a46496252064b4fc77e3e1e953&start=275&end=1091","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394705-da5717a46496252064b4fc77e3e1e953/thumbnail_275000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6171243/Ohio/Mount-Vernon-council-hears-plan-to-update-vehicle-blight-rules-create-code-enforcement-department","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171243-26f6cf7453b584669a503fdb3e49fcbf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149069&Signature=aRfzoOgWDwO1g-iKKK0JX9uMFpQ9o7wOSqFuLV0OKok9c0J8B7vOJspP5eLeWT91GrN4ED65-9cbtmh9x5bMrztiO8BOaBJUrYAhQkYtMQLo8N9zJddvonh~A3VieAkeUWF2~Kj-VSzS5RuGiGgdc6LxWX1ZtCFCZA3oJMhNMLe9UzP7YQAjONyfVaPvCK6jLnVRhvYmptKtWxBydgs4pgG83Oadod9qFv3iTwkEcEYztsJHoRBAEHnp9mHnYZl80r4zLCkJbSO8D2pqMk1UijXqDEn810~h1nK6Y93GrAodhoQFe0tc-wmsMckp7BK4JqWGsN4gEbkKOokEXkEk5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mount Vernon, OH ","date","2025-07-15T12:40:19Z","article","Mount Vernon city council members on the legislative docket discussed draft changes to Chapter 1309 of the city codified ordinances that would tighten rules and enforcement procedures for inoperable, unregistered and junk vehicles on public streets and private property, and heard an overview of a proposed Code Enforcement Department that would centralize property maintenance, zoning and utility inspection work.

The proposed ordinance \"would be ordinance to revise chapter 1309 of the codified ordinances regulating inoperable, unregistered, and junk vehicles, trailers, and other motorized equipment on city streets and private property,\" Councilmember Janice Keener told the council, summarizing the draft language and the goals behind it.

The change follows work by city inspectors and code-enforcement staff who told the council existing language is “a little vague'' and placed much of the practical enforcement burden on the police department. Scott Zimmerman, identified in the meeting as the city inspector, and Brian Marvin, identified as the city’s code enforcement officer, told council they had found enforcement gaps while doing field checks.

\"As I started cleaning this up, I started finding some difficulties,\" Marvin said, describing vehicles abandoned in alleys, yards and streets. He said his office has already removed or caused the removal of more than 60 vehicles (55 removed by owners and nine towed by others), with about 22 cases pending and 14 undelivered notices on file.

Marvin said the intent of the draft revisions is to make the ordinance’s expectations plain so residents know what the city will enforce and so staff can administer the rules efficiently. \"Ninety percent of the time, people are completely cooperative,\" he said. He described routine steps used now: photographing vehicles, sending ordinance-based letters and, in some cases, coordinating with the police department for a supervised tow.

Council members asked how the rules would treat hobbyists and restorers who keep project cars at home. \"If you're going to do that kind of hobby ... you need to have the facility ... behind a fence somewhere out of sight of the general public,\" Marvin said, adding the draft requires inoperative vehicles to be kept out of public view and, when stored for repair, to sit on an improved surface to avoid soil contamination from leaking fluids.

Councilmember Mahan asked how often enforcement staff conduct patrols; Marvin said code checks are part of his daily routine and that it typically takes about 10 minutes to find a single vehicle issue while on patrol. Keener and Marvin said the draft would give staff clear, and in some cases lengthened, time frames to work with residents so enforcement is consistent and not arbitrary.

Separately, Safety/administration staff outlined a proposed Code Enforcement Department that would consolidate property maintenance, zoning permits, and utility-related inspection programs such as backflow prevention and FOG (fats, oils and grease) compliance. The presentation said the new department would use OpenGov permitting and a centralized database to track inspections, annual testing (for example, licensed backflow testers), and permit compliance.

The council did not vote on the ordinance. Keener requested a 10-minute committee meeting at the next council session to continue the discussion and invited members for ride-alongs with code staff to view ongoing cases.

Why it matters: Council members framed the changes as housekeeping to make enforcement consistent and transparent, while reducing the ad hoc burden on police. The proposal affects property standards, environmental protections (through improved surfaces for stored vehicles) and neighborhood appearance.

What’s next: Ordinance 2025-23 (Chapter 1309 changes) received its first reading; council scheduled a 10-minute committee meeting to revisit the draft. Administration representatives also said they will return with details on the proposed Code Enforcement Department ordinance (Ordinance 2025-17 had a second reading the same night).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Live Stream - City of Mount Vernon, Ohio","oneSentenceSummary","Mount Vernon city council members on the legislative docket discussed draft changes to Chapter 1309 of the city codified ordinances that would tighten rules and enforcement procedures for inoperable, unregistered and junk vehicles on public streets and private property, and heard an overview of a proposed Code Enforcement Department that would centralize property maintenance, zoning and utility inspection work.","taxTitle","Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio","taxId",71655,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6171228,"Council approves OPWC loan/grant reimbursement for Fairgrounds Road utilities project",502,5341000,5843000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394705-da5717a46496252064b4fc77e3e1e953&start=5341&end=5843","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394705-da5717a46496252064b4fc77e3e1e953/thumbnail_5341000.jpg","/articles/6171228/Ohio/Council-approves-OPWC-loangrant-reimbursement-for-Fairgrounds-Road-utilities-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171228-3018a054543271f856aa33ab62be9546/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149069&Signature=fUlWaYZJ3ZrLlPoR4p~VjvLxsa7tkXt9zSsoWAOITW6AmTsEP~BvRwWfet3ReRDBfOJAE3AVf1xgD9vHBJoSbzfAuM5WTHuHC2q9caZVolUmKUK73U9HZaOWsTYXE1iLdRIfRb5iHwQ1RdVNAfftTiJwHnXHxMwozyJkIRAw-TsDnsAadEBUJXwigXUVQjYOYfu9xGdEVQf5oyiYH8yrAN0r4elA1C-pjATj7UQtoWCcBVRG8FL4Uzm5hq58XthEGchhksshMpvvLvzwYdJlcxgW6fsT6yJVYSHKSq6Yyx29p46v4p2hImV3UQObVppQrFHwlCc9luTZkZ4LhGWbOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Vernon council unanimously adopted Resolution 2025-70, authorizing the city to declare its \"official intent\" to reimburse its urban improvement fund for the Fairgrounds Road utilities improvements and resurfacing project with proceeds of tax-exempt state debt and to proceed with the OPWC loan/grant process.

Administration explained the project financing: multiple funds (city water, wastewater, stormwater and county partners plus ARPA and other grants) were used to complete the work and the city is now processing reimbursement paperwork. The city expects roughly $308,000 in OPWC reimbursement and a larger grant package tied to the water improvements. The resolution authorizes the city to accept the OPWC loan (described in the meeting as 0% interest) and to reimburse the funds that advanced project costs.

\"This is an actual application for about a $259,000 loan,\" an administration speaker said; staff clarified the project included a combination of grants and a low-interest loan. Council asked how long the loan term would be; staff replied it is a standard multi-decade facility (administration said 30 years was likely). Administration also explained that the pipes built for the project will be owned by Knox County (county utility) while the city remains the operator under a multiyear agreement; county utility assessments paid by county customers will service the county-side loan obligations.

Officials said the project is complete and opened in time for the Knox County Fair; staff thanked project leads for delivering construction on schedule. Council approved the resolution at the same meeting where other multi-fund utility and capital items were discussed.

Why it matters: The resolution enables the city to secure state OPWC funding to reimburse city outlays for a completed infrastructure project and formalizes loan/grant acceptance and accounting steps.

What’s next: Administration will finalize OPWC loan/grant paperwork and invoice county partners for their share so county funds are available to service the identified loan portion.","Council adopted Resolution 2025-70 authorizing the city to reimburse itself and accept an OPWC loan/grant package for Fairgrounds Road utilities and resurfacing work. Administration said the project was complete and the action will allow 0% OPWC loan proceeds and grant funds to reimburse city outlays and align county utility reimbursement flows.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6171233,"Council approves construction-manager-at-risk contract process for new police station",1352,4422000,5774000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394705-da5717a46496252064b4fc77e3e1e953&start=4422&end=5774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394705-da5717a46496252064b4fc77e3e1e953/thumbnail_4422000.jpg","/articles/6171233/Ohio/Council-approves-construction-manager-at-risk-contract-process-for-new-police-station","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171233-725d7fd3f8ec6abbbe8ecb4403f34201/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149069&Signature=JXg-de8Tz7-8P9dgvJrQLrAeZmeijOj1j9IzZpYr5uIUxlmeyZGG2Ru-8h3J16zBRioXX2QtIJj09FT9EI11hec1N07KkAycsupB8-prq4kF9szy1eq33YaP~~~iwlks6var3lhifbxFnD1Onsjx1NAu94oPhFGUNd-qECv4mgwtRGEGavrnT6Qi7AQWMeQZpxnQ~JKCrlpuXwLKuc-aBjA2Z~Hhf46cfQONy9P~ryEcarXw4jiqLPERLjIiEKbBSE0KxcjBKt9SmVrKuudDc7m2gL0O8v2DoOHBAOMEhn~-xN23sKMyXMTBQ6oQPPjDukHvYG92OM4KG5vc1pfWHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Vernon City Council voted to adopt Resolution 2025-69, authorizing the safety/service director to advertise for bids and to enter into a qualifications-based construction manager at risk (CMAR) contract for a proposed new police station at 71 Siker Road.

Councilman Ruckman moved to suspend the three-reading rule and to take the resolution to final reading; the motion was seconded and the council then voted to adopt the resolution. Ruckman explained the measure will allow the city to select a CMAR to manage construction delivery and limit the city's exposure to cost overruns.

Council discussion focused on how the city will pay for multiple concurrent capital projects. Mayor and administration staff described a multi-fund financing approach, the use of an owner's representative, and municipal-bond options. The mayor said the city has $2 million in state project funds available to start design work and that municipal finance advisers and bond counsel are developing a financing plan to spread obligations across funds and potentially structure debt over 30 to 40 years.

The resolution passed on final reading; council recorded one negative vote. Roll call recorded the following positions: Hill (yes), Seabolt (yes), Severns (yes), Mahan (yes), Woods (no), Ruckman (yes), Keener (yes), Hager (yes). The mayor and administration said work on design (BKV) has already started and that the goal of the CMAR procurement is to lock in delivery partners and control costs during construction.

Why it matters: Selecting a CMAR is intended to reduce construction risk and provide a defined procurement path as the city proceeds with a planned new police station — part of a larger series of municipal building projects the administration is sequencing to manage cost and debt exposure.

What’s next: Administration will issue an RFQ for a CMAR and an owner's representative; further contract authorizations will return to council for approval.","Council adopted Resolution 2025-69 to authorize an RFQ and enter a qualifications-based CMAR (construction manager at risk) procurement for a new police station at Siker Road; the council suspended the three-reading rule and approved final passage by roll call with one dissenting vote.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6171237,"Mount Vernon moves toward new waste-hauler licenses and recycling reporting requirements",1000,2019000,3019000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5394705-da5717a46496252064b4fc77e3e1e953&start=2019&end=3019","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5394705-da5717a46496252064b4fc77e3e1e953/thumbnail_2019000.jpg","/articles/6171237/Ohio/Mount-Vernon-moves-toward-new-waste-hauler-licenses-and-recycling-reporting-requirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6171237-3306d3be0bddaee8991d185dda0cf263/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149069&Signature=k~SnOGaqLGf6lbfGYhmc3hRuVUTBt4mLnBZU4x01LYnL0HxPv0atkmxrAMIHOIuCLoprU~ugZ9jAca6SQPpGgo~8Ttx77HdbmnsVJv6womkC2bVZG1Ee3tlmju4rGt9WOYe8alLcshh6xQBe0LFgt2e7OJhjPIBFE0UREBstRfxZimUPAqsAekQPZZeVg~74Zd5aqodL0zKi4uEyvL52Rt6QX7A~O6o5X6PeL~JFpp-PBX-3RqmWmd-KJrnfaQVQiaiFq4116R8EUSV0N-tKWZPcA6f9pTCOpb7kYGQ2v~kieCZmFkcsTJjiRiEceLqJ3tojKgK6KJYyxlUEj6dhSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members gave a second reading to proposed changes that would require waste-hauler licenses, separate recycling permits, annual reporting on tonnage and transfer-station destinations, and secure-hauling practices intended to stop debris and illegal disposal.

Councilman Rekman (Utilities Commission liaison) said the draft ordinance follows months of work with the utilities commission, regional partners and operators. \"We talked to DKMM,\" he said, referring to the regional solid-waste body that advised the city; \"they recommended this as well. They support this, and particularly the recycling portion.\"

The ordinance would require any person or entity collecting, transporting or disposing of solid waste or recyclable materials within city limits to hold a waste-hauler license issued by the code enforcement department. It would also require a separate recycling permit and explicit annual reports listing tonnage and the approved disposal and recycling facilities used.

Council members and staff said the changes respond to several problems: haulers failing to provide consistent annual reports, instances in which loads were reportedly taken to unauthorized transfer locations and, in at least one local case mentioned in the meeting, illegal disposal and burning at a private site flagged by regional partners. \"We do not want to do business with somebody who's burning your trash out in the woods,\" one council speaker said.

The ordinance would also state that curbside recycling for single-family dwellings must be offered at no additional cost, consistent with past council direction; it does not change commercial or multi-unit recycling requirements under the existing zoning code. Staff said secure-hauling standards are designed to stop blowing debris and to require obvious documentation from transfer stations — weight slips and other records — so the city can verify where material is processed and recorded for state and DKMM reimbursement programs.

Council members asked about enforcement mechanics and whether the new reporting is duplicative of state or regional reporting. Staff said much of the data should already be gathered by haulers for EPA or DKMM reporting, but that the local ordinance will clarify content and timing to make it enforceable locally.

What’s next: Ordinance 2025-21 had a second reading; council did not suspend rules for final passage. Rekman asked whether to schedule another committee review; council left it at second reading for now.

Why it matters: The measure would tighten local oversight of private waste haulers operating in Mount Vernon and aim to level the market by ensuring all haulers follow the same reporting and disposal rules.","Council discussed Ordinance 2025-21, which would require waste-hauler licensing, mandatory recycling permits, annual tonnage and transfer-station reporting and secure-hauling standards after review by the utilities commission and outside partners.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mount Vernon council hears plan to update vehicle-blight rules, create code-enforcement department

Council approves OPWC loan/grant reimbursement for Fairgrounds Road utilities project

Council approves construction-manager-at-risk contract process for new police station

Mount Vernon moves toward new waste-hauler licenses and recycling reporting requirements