Mount Vernon council approves fire training tower contribution, hotel redevelopment and $2.26M in vouchers

The Mount Vernon City Council on Monday approved a series of financial and development measures including $2,260,813.72 in consolidated vouchers and two project approvals aimed at street and economic improvements.

In the meeting opening at City Hall, Council members unanimously approved the May 18, 2026 meeting journal. The council then approved the consolidated vouchers for accounts payable totaling $2,260,813.72 after a motion from Council Member Joe Gliosci and a second from Council Member Mike Young.

City Manager Nathan McKenna told the council the Public Works Department is finalizing plans to replace an estimated 8,000–10,000 linear feet of sidewalk across the city and that $500,000 has been budgeted for the 2026 Sidewalk Replacement Project. Council granted permission to seek bids for that project following a motion by Council Member Donte Moore and a second from Council Member Jay Tate.

McKenna also asked the council to waive formal bidding for asphalt milling in the 2026 Annual Street Maintenance Program and to accept a quote from Dunn Company for $30,472. The council approved the waiver and accepted the quote (motion by Council Member Mike Young; second Jay Tate).

On infrastructure and public-safety matters, McKenna presented a first reading of an ordinance approving a right-of-way license agreement with Wabash Communications Cooperative to install fiber on Mount Vernon’s west side. That item was read as a first reading only and no final action was taken.

McKenna then presented an intergovernmental agreement with the Jefferson Fire Protection District tied to a grant for a training tower. According to the materials presented, the total cost of the training tower is approximately $1 million; the City had budgeted $300,000 for participation and the agreement specifies a direct city contribution of $250,000 plus up to $50,000 for additional construction costs such as water line work, fencing and site preparation. The City will dedicate a three-acre parcel on North Davidson and will deed that parcel to the district; grant terms require the property to be held in the district’s name. Council suspended the rules and approved Ordinance 2026-20 to enact the intergovernmental agreement (motion to suspend rules and take action by Council Member Donte Moore; second Jay Tate; unanimous vote).

The council also approved a redevelopment agreement with SILA MK Hotels, LLC for a 90-room TownePlace Suites hotel on North 44th Street within the new Frontage Road TIF district. The resolution approving that redevelopment agreement passed unanimously (motion by Council Member Donte Moore; second Joe Gliosci).

Mayor John Lewis presented the reappointment of Roland Mays to the Minority Affairs and Human Relations Board; the council voted unanimously to accept the reappointment. The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Votes at a glance: Journal approval — approved (5–0); Consolidated vouchers — approved, $2,260,813.72 (5–0); Seek bids for 2026 Sidewalk Replacement Project — approved (5–0); Waive bidding and accept Dunn Company quote for asphalt milling — approved, $30,472 (5–0); Ordinance 2026-20 (Intergovernmental Agreement with Jefferson Fire Protection District) — approved after suspension of rules (5–0); Resolution 2026-26 (Redevelopment Agreement with SILA MK Hotels, LLC) — approved (5–0); Reappointment of Roland Mays — approved (5–0); Adjournment — approved (5–0).

The council took no public comments, and no executive session was held. The next regular meeting date was not specified in the materials presented at the session.