Bright digital west side church sign causes UDO stir in MV

By Lois Mittino Gray

Mount Vernon resident Dan Elg doesn’t enjoy a light show 24/7 outside of his home windows and spoke about it at the Public Hearing for the Unified Development Ordinance at the March 18, Mount Vernon Common Council meeting. He said he didn’t want to stir up trouble, but wanted to address this “Pandora’s Box of Backyard Brightness” that was opened.

Elg, 103 Western Hills, has concerns over the “jumbotron” signs in the new county ordinance, specifically on page 69, dealing with Electronic Variable Message Signs (EVMS). “These signs are now in fully residential areas in town and there is no need to wait for a test case. There is one of these signs directly across from my house, and I can see it flashing in my home,” he told councilors. He said the UDO presently restricts distances from residences. However, he feels they should replace that distance with one that fits certain residential areas in Mount Vernon better. He asked that Council please vote to retain quality of life for people, like him, who wants to make Mount Vernon a forever home. Elg presented handouts to Council and added he has “thought long and hard on this.”

Elg, a member of the Area Plan Commission, stated he ran his idea by the APC last week, and they all felt it was reasonable. Councilman Andy Hoehn listened and suggested no EVMS signs be allowed from Parke Street west out to the city limits.

Mayor Steve Loehr thanked Elg for his input and closed the hearing. Discussion among the councilors ensued. Councilman Rusty Levings asked if EVMS signs are the thing now, “Are they common?” Councilman Hoehn replied, “Yes, they are the standard, the norm now, and even the State uses them.” Hoehn said he agrees that the west side of town needs to be protected. Mayor Loehr asked if that would include the Four Seasons hotel sign as well? Attorney Beth Higgins replied no, as it is not in the city limits.

Hoehn stated he is in favor of not allowing digital signs from Parke Street west to the city limits, and he would encourage the county to look at that as well. Loehr mentioned the nursing home is also across the street from a residential area and the doctor’s office, too. Fourth Street came up in discussion as well. Councilman Hoehn stated 4th Street is unrestricted, but there are also size requirements based on building size and it hasn’t been a problem to date. Councilman David Dodd stated businesses can still request a variance. Levings stated he is open to taking care of the west end. He suggested they could deal with other issues as they come up and address the concern at that time.

Dodd thought there was inconsistency in disregarding houses on Fourth Street close to businesses, so they discussed variances and brightness. “Brightness is a moot point till we can test it with a NIT gun,” the Mayor said. Councilman Hoehn stated he doesn’t see it as inconsistent. “West of Parke Street is dark, while Fourth Street is mostly commercial all through town. There are checks and balances already in place and there has not been an issue that I can recall. I hate to address a non-issue if what’s in place is working” he commented. Councilman Levings agreed and added they can address the brightness later when they have the equipment to measure it. Attorney Higgins reminded them this concerns EVMS only, static lighted signs are not being addressed.

Hoehn stated the area to ban EVMS signs should be defined as west of Parke, on the south side within 300 feet of Highway 62, to the city limits. Councilman Levings stated he is fine with that.

Hoehn made a motion to pass the EDO ordinance on final reading as amended on the first reading, as well as third reading, adding no EVMS west of Parke Street, on the south side within 300 feet of Highway 62 to the city limits. After a roll call vote, the motion carried 4-0 with Councilwoman Jillian Brothers absent to cast her fifth vote. It was numbered 26-11. The EDO will go back to the APC for its final approval.

Higgins stated the next item to tackle is a Resolution Authorizing Advance Payment for the Fire Pumper truck. They are currently looking at a 29-32 months lead time to build it, and Chief Robert Wilson needs to get the order in ASAP. If the city agrees to prepay, $70,000 will be discounted off of the purchase price of 1.1 million dollars. State Board of Accounts says Council can approve the prepayment if there is appropriation and a performance in place. The term of the loan is seven years, with the first prepayment to be made in 2027. She added they did receive quotes from United Fidelity of 4.5 percent (lowest), PNC of 4.59 percent, and Old National Bank was a no quote. They will get the loan from United Fidelity. Two prepayments of $177,000 in 2027 and 2028 will be made before delivery. Levings asked if these two payments count towards the loan and Higgins replied in the affirmative. She said it will need to be worked into the 2027 Public Safety Tax Budget.

Levings asked Wilson for the rationale of why they are making this purchase. “Engine 5 needs replaced, it has 6,159 hours on it and that is a lot for a front line truck. Also, this truck has never left town its whole life, it is 14 years old, and that is a lot of hours. I will push this truck to use as a reserve truck and it is always great to have two ready.”

John Gerton asked if this is a normal delivery time and Wilson replied yes, noting since after COVID. Loehr observed, “Safety is critical and vehicles are important in that. There could be life and death situations, and I feel we owe it to the citizens to stay on top of it.”

Wilson stated there has already been a 3% increase in price over the last year alone from the company that builds the trucks. In fact, there have already been two. It comes as a recommendation to replace the main line engines every five years. “Who does the testing on these trucks,” Levings queried. Wilson replied Gerry’s does the vehicle maintenance and repairs and they have another company that does the pump testing. Once a truck starts failing tests, they get de-rated. A truck with a lot of hours has a higher chance of failing.

Levings moved the Resolution Authorizing Advance Payment for Fire Pumper Truck passed. In Mayor’s Announcements, he said Tile Factory Road improvement work has started and there has already been some tree removal. They will be blocking the road off the last of March, first of April. Second and Water streets is moving along, and the Event Center is having more concrete poured.