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Mount Vernon council approves several ordinances, holds or withdraws others
Summary
The Mount Vernon City Council on Jan. 22 approved a package of ordinances including conference travel, a DPW lease extension, two Board of Water Supply positions, a youth-bureau college tour, purchase of mobile computers for public safety and a $1 million DOT grant; the council held or withdrew several items for clarification.
The Mount Vernon City Council on Jan. 22 adopted multiple ordinances while holding or withdrawing others for further review.
On the consent portion of the agenda the council approved: an ordinance authorizing the mayor and chief of staff to attend the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C.; an ordinance authorizing a lease extension for office space at 6 Grama Avenue, Suite 203; ordinances adding two positions for the Board of Water Supply — a Water Resource Specialist and a Water Quality Analyst; an ordinance granting the Mount Vernon Youth Bureau’s Ready for Life program permission to sponsor a college tour at no cost to the city; an ordinance authorizing the Department of Public Safety to purchase 21 tablet-style mobile computers; and an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation to receive a $1,000,000 Innovative Finance and Asset Concession grant. Roll-call votes on these items were unanimous in favor (five Aye votes: Councilman Boxhill; Councilwoman Gleeson; Councilman Poteet; Councilman Thompson; Council President Brown).
Several items were not adopted: the council held on the floor an ordinance to establish a list of qualified environmental sustainability consultants and a renewal of a NICE Inform contract for the Police Department so staff could provide clarifications. The council also held, and later withdrew, a proposed conveyance of 0 Vernon Avenue to an individual while members sought clarity on taxing and parcel records. The council held two related revenue measures — a Home Rule request seeking authorization from state lawmakers to collect a hotel occupancy tax and a separate resolution to increase the local transfer tax — pending clearer language and confirmation of state process and definitions.
Council members said the items were held to allow follow-up with department staff and counsel, and to ensure the legislation’s definitions and funding lines were correct before the items are submitted to state partners or executed.
Votes at a glance (selected items): - Ordinance authorizing mayor and chief of staff to attend NLC conference: Passed (Aye 5–0). - Ordinance authorizing lease extension at 6 Grama Avenue, Suite 203: Passed (Aye 5–0). - Ordinance adding Water Resource Specialist (Board of Water Supply): Passed (Aye 5–0). - Ordinance adding Water Quality Analyst (Board of Water Supply): Passed (Aye 5–0). - Ordinance granting Mount Vernon Youth Bureau permission for Ready for Life college tour (no cost to city): Passed (Aye 5–0). - Ordinance authorizing purchase of 21 tablet-style mobile computers for Department of Public Safety: Passed (Aye 5–0). - Ordinance authorizing $1,000,000 DOT Innovative Finance and Asset Concession grant: Passed (Aye 5–0). - Ordinance establishing list of qualified environmental sustainability consultants: Held for follow-up. - Renewal of NICE Inform V contract for Police Department: Held for clarification of terms/payment. - Conveyance of 0 Vernon Avenue to Myrtle Jones: Motion withdrawn pending clarification of parcel/tax records. - Home Rule request for a hotel occupancy tax and proposed transfer-tax increase: Held pending clarifications about short-term rental language and state authorization.
Council members said they will revisit the held items after staff and counsel provide the requested clarifications or when additional documents are available.
