[{"_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",6138520,"mediaKeyId","5583058-91c080e6a2d34c9c51ac570e191c9d85","parentId",5583058,"title","Commission endorses recommending Crystal Avenue waterline funding applications to city council","audioSeconds",463,"startMs",2667000,"endMs",3130000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5583058-91c080e6a2d34c9c51ac570e191c9d85&start=2667&end=3130","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5583058-91c080e6a2d34c9c51ac570e191c9d85/thumbnail_2667000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6138520/Ohio/Commission-endorses-recommending-Crystal-Avenue-waterline-funding-applications-to-city-council","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138520-1337c850cfd9510a84f3f508e42061db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149171&Signature=EwKoZn3bltHF7~gPzQbO21MqKtJ7-hs4L9dPyDd-ekQ-LS~IrWKDbgR2WhNzZ17cQA1erROcm18Jo~2rba9jEugd90FtOcoOPRXS0ocvGbuuP9syZMpr6CIoIv5cImKLxUMHpJi1gbwI6BsIyhhlcFBqbQ8415mP44jgTz48p2G-Yqw3qIjhRhU7ysFJSOMvTcREKgyl5H8RDnPdcbZyKbVk81iztdnXG8RyJUGdJHSR6sN2ST~1u1a3l~pNjBa7Bupbnj~Frh77rTgCH5tlWh56NwMgS5f95xoDDhXi4yyNy5I8Mr~BmPuKTwpcxQfzxFBSHEdARKZn66pjmkzd8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Mount Vernon, OH ","date","2025-08-14T12:30:21Z","article","The Mount Vernon Utilities Commission voted to recommend that city council apply for grant funding to extend water service to Crystal Avenue in Clinton Township, asking the county to include the project as an Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) candidate and to pursue Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for households that meet federal income-eligibility criteria.
Gary Nunn, meeting chair, described the project as an opportunity to expand service to households on wells that have experienced water-quality issues: \"This is a really good opportunity to leverage all of these grants that, we would locally qualify for and make sure that that money gets spread around locally,\" he said.
Staff said the project would target Crystal Avenue only, and that the city would act as the project administrator if the county selects it for OPWC funding; the CDBG component would likely be managed in partnership with the CDC of Ohio, per staff comments. Staff noted an expected minimal customer buy-in (described at the meeting as roughly 5 percent) and said the commission could consider flexibility on tap fees for households that do not qualify for income-based CDBG assistance.
Commissioners compared the plan to prior successful projects (the Buckeye project was cited as precedent) and discussed lessons learned — particularly the need to get eligibility and documentation to prospective participants earlier in the process so residents can prove income qualifications in time for grant rules.
The commission approved the recommendation by roll call (Sayers: yes; Platt: yes; Reinhart: yes; Busenberg: yes). Staff will draft the formal application and related legislation for city council consideration and coordinate with county trustees and county commissioners on OPWC nomination.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Live Stream - City of Mount Vernon, Ohio","oneSentenceSummary","The utilities commission voted to recommend that city council apply for Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for a Crystal Avenue waterline extension in Clinton Township; staff will coordinate with county commissioners and a local CDC for administration.","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},6138525,"Utilities commission accepts Liberty Crossing petition to join private stormwater utility; assessments to be calculated",952,1768000,2720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5583058-91c080e6a2d34c9c51ac570e191c9d85&start=1768&end=2720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5583058-91c080e6a2d34c9c51ac570e191c9d85/thumbnail_1768000.jpg","/articles/6138525/Ohio/Utilities-commission-accepts-Liberty-Crossing-petition-to-join-private-stormwater-utility-assessments-to-be-calculated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138525-3e39f9c058dcbcd109b4b2d428268627/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149171&Signature=ccBp3gsxuFNjNYA6peYk4JzKQPN~NYV5AlSCx8IfpeEra~nN~GQssqzuyXrAg~R00-Xjip3jTCJjCIs3A8pRf-zKs9gzMWQdLpoorT1bQHV7Bh7Rbc3U8aiI0zf3C1~ExnwPqiibjipLUeaZOtJfIVmzs7~K9hxkXDc8v9f2BDpLXXKXA12XcR0SFlsRmh75PDe3EiVJiBLCVQs6ROppoUFIwHQPTuSIjZpb~GHFRp-ubcl6~L1BI6s9xbytpvocI3vuDmGdW4ywba~OxvVG8JNnOrpgTCL-U1kHTJmWNj5714MRepfSjdBaYbk0HDlU0VJKFyUuCCI4LHzwaYEfmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Vernon Utilities Commission voted to accept a petition from Liberty Crossing (several developer LLCs) to join the city's private stormwater management utility, a process the commission has used previously for new developments. Commissioners said they will direct engineering to calculate assessments for ongoing maintenance and eventual replacement before finalizing the agreement.
Gary Nunn, meeting chair, introduced the petition and said the request is similar to a prior project at Gilchrist Estates. \"This is the city's preferred way to do this,\" he said, noting the city wants a mechanism to ensure post-construction stormwater facilities are maintained rather than rely solely on developers or homeowners.
Engineering staff explained the petition requires a customized assessment, because maintenance and replacement costs depend on the specific post-construction best-management practices (BMPs) installed for the development. Staff said the city will compute both ongoing maintenance assessments and replacement-reserve assessments, per the city's stormwater ordinance (codified at the meeting as codified ordinance chapter 9.20/9.24 provisions referenced by staff).
Commissioners approved the petition by roll call (Sayers: yes; Platt: yes; Reinhart: yes; Busenberg: yes), and the commission chair said staff will proceed to calculate assessment amounts and contingencies and bring a draft maintenance agreement back for finalization.
Commission discussion noted process presentation issues: staff and commissioners flagged that petition letters should clearly show developer letterhead and chain of title so property ownership and assessment responsibilities are obvious. Staff also said assessments will be reviewed on a five-year cycle and budget lines established to track funds dedicated for maintenance and replacement.
","The Mount Vernon Utilities Commission voted to accept a petition from Liberty Crossing developers to join the city's private stormwater management utility. Commissioners instructed engineering to calculate assessments and contingency terms before finalizing the maintenance agreement.",{"_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},6138529,"Residents on New Gambier Road report sediment; city installs auto-flusher and plans midterm engineering review",276,1524000,1800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5583058-91c080e6a2d34c9c51ac570e191c9d85&start=1524&end=1800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5583058-91c080e6a2d34c9c51ac570e191c9d85/thumbnail_1524000.jpg","/articles/6138529/Ohio/Residents-on-New-Gambier-Road-report-sediment-city-installs-auto-flusher-and-plans-midterm-engineering-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138529-adbe0de63c9c4980c8fc2ba57998d42d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149171&Signature=BTN6dp8Cx2BdJhKUeuexL1JrGt-gLpqk~C4oQqrYVS-9RqCH4-n5aC9tFMUCvr0nyK0WuujoGRY80t5CvqAKe9i7kVxMIrBGyeeoruhFMx2j4sPcq9LuyIVVUDIa4yfg3GfORnT0ABy~FF~eeUzU7ENuCLzcQhaRmrNhiCgnO4z4Ksv8yN5Vc7eyVZtMLGfunlolyHfVEJzUqmF7f4vXOFJh~GURgJFaGehEZCARhYwzpq1tZt2-GBGnGpvUyiCzDVxLeI5JwWw3MpDl4wNBPLUlNCsmHu3t7jw02k3gbc7k19LitXVp8JgGNh-~damLeMfeapjvtAxAJok48oudag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mount Vernon staff told the Utilities Commission that several homes on New Gambier Road have experienced sediment in water coming from faucets and bathtubs, a condition staff attribute to low flow in a 6-inch line that allows sediment to settle. The commission heard that staff installed an automatic flusher and will pursue a midterm engineering solution as part of broader infrastructure planning.
Gary Nunn, meeting chair, summarized the issue and said it affects a small number of residences: \"There's not enough capacity that's regularly going through this line to continually flush the line. And because of that, you've got sediment that lays in that line and then it ends up going through their individual household,\" he said.
Staff identified the main distribution line as a 6-inch segment and said a long-term fix could require upsizing or connecting to a larger service as part of transportation and development planning. The engineering timeline given to the commission described a midterm planning horizon of about three to five years for inclusion in broader infrastructure projects.
In the short term, distribution crews led by Josh and others have installed an auto flusher and are experimenting with flush timing and durations to reduce sediment delivery to customers. Staff advised affected residents to contact the utility or engineering department for updates and said the city will continue interim measures while developing the longer-term plan.
","Mount Vernon staff told the utilities commission that a handful of homes on New Gambier Road have intermittent sediment in taps; crews installed an automatic flusher and engineering plans a 3–5 year midterm solution to address low-flow sediment accumulation.",{"_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},6138535,"Mount Vernon utilities commission declines immediate waiver in Pam Reich high-bill appeal",1282,208000,1490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5583058-91c080e6a2d34c9c51ac570e191c9d85&start=208&end=1490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5583058-91c080e6a2d34c9c51ac570e191c9d85/thumbnail_208000.jpg","/articles/6138535/Ohio/Mount-Vernon-utilities-commission-declines-immediate-waiver-in-Pam-Reich-high-bill-appeal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6138535-308b8155f69c15390fdb9c2198ea6cc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149171&Signature=oapB0p6Lk9c74J0vThMxt57ivrjVBeyOz5G~bSWDKxiEDSvy2hqL5ovGqooOIaUyQocCfGwlItgjHtwGuGux7-EsmmGxLHhXhMh85sa23r7FgDAsDG0JGBMlVpE1NPL1CULX2FHbo7NTupp07soLkaP35BWbmGuANwEh73sCA4p6AXPiHXz05pE3uzszJ52veabjrLRy4jj0xTW-0MJzjBD-O5MY6CzrWjEcadGWc~QvRq0bHeRSbzOXFizBK6g4Q6Aa4~WJQKkh56Mk-tXwovDwe0ocFP5ccwDSjyu-6Fn4Abcy0zj38t13guu4q2AxUU8zO~qrGHIJjwAIcfIuiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Vernon Utilities Commission reviewed an appeal from Pam Reich, whose account at 907 West High Street showed a sharp increase in June usage that she says resulted from a leak while the property was vacant. The commission heard staff summaries of the timeline, the office's notification procedures and options offered to Reich, and did not approve a waiver of the overage charges.
Maureen DePaulo, a utility billing office staff member, told commissioners the leak-based charges began in June and that the office issues high-usage letters as a courtesy. \"We send the high usage letters as a courtesy to our customers,\" DePaulo said, and explained the office's timing: the validator process that surfaces high-usage accounts runs when billing is prepared, and Reich's activity occurred after that run, so notice arrived later.
The customer's written submission, which Reich chose not to present in person, states the house was vacant since May 26, 2025; that a high-usage letter was postmarked July 19 and received July 21; and that plumbing work by a company referred to as Mr. Rooter occurred in 2022. In her written request, Reich asked that \"all or majority of this bill be waived,\" according to the packet materials submitted to the commission.
Commissioners and staff described the limits on credits. Commissioner Reinhart explained why the utility bills for increased water use even when the water was not intended to be consumed: the city must treat all delivered water and sewer systems bill based on total consumption arriving at the wastewater plant. \"Everything that comes into the wastewater plant on average is 1% solid ... it all has to be treated the same,\" Reinhart said, describing treatment-cost drivers.
Staff said the utility had offered Reich an administrative payment plan (a program that, per staff, requires a minimum beginning balance of $500), and that billing staff had discussed possible credits but require evidence of the leak, of repair and of responsibility before issuing larger refunds. DePaulo said staff had suggested a technician visit but that Reich declined an in-person visit; she said staff observed usage charts that indicated a running fixture and that Project H2O upgrades are intended to detect such events sooner.
The commission did not vote to waive the disputed charges. No formal motion to grant a full or partial waiver was made; staff advised Reich to contact the billing office to pursue the offered payment plan or supply documentation for further review.
For residents with similar concerns, staff advised contacting the utility billing office and, where feasible, allowing a water technician to inspect the service; staff also noted a longer-term technology upgrade (referred to at the meeting as Project H2O) to shorten detection time for high-usage events.
","The Mount Vernon Utilities Commission reviewed a customer appeal from Pam Reich of 907 West High Street about a high water bill attributed to a leak but did not vote to waive charges; staff explained notice timing, refund criteria and payment-plan options.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission endorses recommending Crystal Avenue waterline funding applications to city council

Utilities commission accepts Liberty Crossing petition to join private stormwater utility; assessments to be calculated

Residents on New Gambier Road report sediment; city installs auto-flusher and plans midterm engineering review

Mount Vernon utilities commission declines immediate waiver in Pam Reich high-bill appeal