Mount Vernon — The City Council on Monday adopted several resolutions and advanced two infrastructure-related measures to committee.

Resolution 2026-01, authorizing the sale of city-owned surplus personal property by internet auction and declaring an emergency, was adopted after council voted to suspend the three-reading rule. The sponsor said the measure is routine administrative policy used to allow immediate execution of municipal business; the council suspended the rules and adopted the resolution by roll call.

Council amended and adopted Resolution 2026-02, which confirms the mayor’s appointments to various boards. The amendment broadened the language to list "various boards" and specifically added Kathy Greenick to the NCA board; the measure carried and the council declared an emergency so appointees can assume office at upcoming board meetings.

Resolution 2026-04, setting rules for the conduct of city council meetings for the 2026–27 biennium, was suspended for three readings and adopted. Council discussed how Robert’s Rules of Order interacts with the Ohio Revised Code and noted a higher statutory threshold is required to suspend rules under local code.

Two measures received first readings and were referred to committee: Resolution 2026-03 (advertise for bids and enter into a contract for the 2026 street chip-seal project) and Resolution 2026-05 (advertise for bids and enter into contract for renovation of two floors of the Mount Vernon Municipal Center). Sponsors requested committee meetings on Jan. 26 to review specs.

Votes at a glance (as recorded in the meeting roll calls):
- Resolution 2026-01 (sale via internet auction; emergency) — motion to suspend rules: roll-call passed; resolution adopted (roll-call recorded unanimous yes votes).
- Resolution 2026-02 (mayoral appointments; amended) — adopted as amended (roll-call recorded unanimous yes votes).
- Resolution 2026-04 (rules for conduct) — adopted after suspension of rules (roll-call recorded unanimous yes votes).
- Resolution 2026-03 (chip-seal) — first reading; no final vote.
- Resolution 2026-05 (municipal center renovation) — first reading; no final vote.

Several sponsors noted the use of emergency language is constrained by Ohio law but is commonly used to expedite routine administrative actions; council members said they will continue using readings and committee meetings for items requiring fuller public review.