Construction underway at Hagemann center in MV

By Lois Mittino Gray

Construction on the grandiose Hagemann Event Center in Brittlebank Park is underway in Mount Vernon and there is already a change order, costing even more money, on the project. Members of the Mount Vernon Board of Works learned at their February 19, meeting that Change Order Number One from the contractor, Three i Design, is in the amount of $494,617.

City Attorney Beth McFadin Higgins explained stabilization is needed under the building, as well as from the entrance on Country Club Road to the building. She added this does not include the parking lot or the pickleball court. Mayor Steve Loehr commented, “This will be a long process, but the building will essentially be built on concrete. Unfortunately, they couldn’t determine this need until the topsoil was removed.”

Board member Andy Hoehn was concerned that this is a lot of money and Loehr agreed. He asked if there is a low spot? Loehr replied, “Yes, it slopes down.” Hoehn asked if the rock that is already there will need to be removed? Loehr replied, “They actually stopped working when they ran into this, and yes, it will more than likely have to be removed.”

The Mayor added there is money for the change order available. Higgins agreed since there is a contingency in place. She added the cost is a lot lower than the original change order was first presented.

Hoehn moved Change Order Number One be approved and the motion carried 2-0. Board member David Dodd was not present to cast his vote. Hoehn inquired if this will push the timeline back. Loehr speculated the firm will start to work again by next week now that the change order is approved. Higgins added they are still within the original timeline in the contract.

Under Department Reports:

• Mount Vernon Police Chief Justin Rutledge stated for the period of February 5-18, there were 215 total calls for service. Of those, 97 traffic stops were conducted and two traffic collisions investigated. There were seven individuals arrested on 20 different charges, including five drug arrests, four traffic/license crimes, two OWI, two resisting law enforcement, two theft, one warrant, one battery, one criminal recklessness, one criminal mischief, and one criminal trespass.

• Mount Vernon Fire Chief Robert Wilson reported since the last meeting, there were 32 calls for service. He attended an eight hour class covering the ISO rating system. Fire Instructor Two class started this morning, and he and Assistant Chief Dakota Logan are attending it. The class is five weeks long, one day per week, for 10 hours

“The Fire Pup visited West Elementary School and Saint Matthews School. The kids really enjoyed meeting him, whom they have renamed Marshall. We will be taking Marshall to CAPE Head Start Monday so he can meet the kids there. We will also be reading books to them in the morning,” he told Board members.

“We are waiting to hear back from one last local bank to determine who we will go with on the purchase of a new fire engine. Time is getting critical and we would like to get a contract signed before the manufacturer’s next price increase,” he described. Wilson also has three quotes, all from Expressway Ford and GMC, to replace Rescue 6. Rescue 6 is a 2005 Ford F250 6-liter power stroke diesel truck. “It does run and drive, although it is no longer suitable as a rescue vehicle in its current state. If the Board approves of the purchase of one of the three, we will move the 2019 Dodge Ram into the Rescue 6 spot as a reliable rescue response and support vehicle,” he explained. The Assistant Chief would get the 2024 F250 that he is currently driving.

Wilson added he feels it is important to get Rescue 6 back in operation as soon as possible though. “The price to overhaul the engine in Rescue 6 will be $10,000 on the low end and could even be over $15,000, depending on what is found once the engine is torn down.”

Hoehn asked the mileage on Rescue 6 and Wilson replied 87,000 miles. Hoehn stated that is insane and asked if it has engine issues. Wilson relied yes. Loehr added it is also not dependable. Hoehn asked about an extended warranty, as it has less than 100,000 miles. Wilson replied is it 21 years old and has no warranty. “We have put a lot of money into it the last three years,” he noted.

Hoehn asked what he will do with the 2005 diesel. Wilson replied, “It is usable, just not dependable. I wouldn’t try taking it to a fire scene in Marrs Township, but maybe another department would have use for it.” Loehr added that replacing the 2005 with the 2019 will help with the insurance rate. Wilson agreed and added a firefighter who takes it home, if they live in town, can more easily respond. Hoehn asked if he has the money in the budget. Wilson replied no, but he has talked with Loehr about it. Loehr stated there has been money for this in the EDIT budget for some time now.

Hoehn moved that Wilson decide which vehicle best fits their needs and proceed. The motion carried 2-0.

• In lieu of Chuck Gray making a utility report, Sewage Plant Operator Curtis Prater presented the report for January. 1.5 hours of training was completed for his group. The collection system had zero emergency repairs, 2,932 feet of sewer lines were cleaned and 658 feet of sewer line were videoed. All trouble lines were cleaned and flushed.

The sewage plant had no exceedances for December and none are expected for January. A total of 117.56 tons of sludge were sent off-site for final disposal at a cost of $2703.88. Increased dumping rate and surcharging of hauled waste has started, current revenue from hauled waste taken in is $4800.00.

Prater suggested the purchase of a triaxle dump truck to finalize cost savings of self-disposal of solids. “For January, we had a total of 117.56 tons hauled in 22 loads. Fuel cost was $1062.56 and disposal cost was $2703.88. Manhours would be a savings on the triaxle as the person would be available more for in plant activities due to need for less trips. A triaxle truck would be able to haul the same total tonnage, but accomplish it in approximately six loads with an estimated fuel usage of 87.27 gallons and cost of $296.71. Disposal fee would remain the same and single axle cost for the month is $3766.44 as compared to $3000.59. This is a savings of $765.85 with triaxle. The other non-numerable factor is the reduced liability and exposure for the city having a city truck making 22 trips as compared to 6 trips and less miles on the roads.”

He then stated he has no price on a triaxle truck, but Gray is looking into the State Bid.

Loehr added they also have some sewer checks that were listed as outstanding that they also need to approve to have them receipted back in and removed from the sewer outstanding list. The action was approved.

There were no reports from the Street Department or Code Enforcement Officer Clifford.