New Auto-Aid Agreement working well in southern Posey

By Lois Mittino Gray

The ‘star of the show’ at the March 19, Mount Vernon Board of Works meeting was parked right outside of City Hall. After the meeting, board members, the Mayor, and most of the audience rushed out to see the newest addition to the local Police Department’s fleet of vehicles. It was a brand-new black Chevrolet Phantom Tahoe assigned to Officer Brandon Woodley, Third Shift Sergeant. Woodley and Mount Vernon Police Chief Justin Rutledge answered questions as the new wheels were admired by all.

Rutledge indicated he is all about high quality in his vehicles and all their equipment. He stated in his Department Report at the meeting that he would like to replace the computers in them and some cameras. Currently we have a piecemeal program. I am looking at Dell’s typical three-year warranty at $10,867.28 per year, with a three year replacement. There is money in the budget, but it will need to be transferred in, since it would overspend the line for only this year. Once the warranty is up, they will be replaced. Normally we spend $36,000 in the budget for the three years. The new plan will be better and go down to $32,000 and save money in the long run,” he remarked. Board members told him that is a department decision and he can feel free to do it as he sees best.

Rutledge continued by stating they are having some issues with cameras. They would like to add a few in some blind spots they have discovered. Again he was encouraged to use his discretion as department head. He also would like to hire Noah Manna on the force once the candidate has successfully passed PERF testing. Board member Andy Hoehn moved the Board accept the recommendation of Rutledge and hire Noah Manna, pending his successful PERF testing and it carried unanimously. The said he could still use one more officer on the force.

Rutledge also stated for the period of March 5 through March 18, there were 198 total calls for service. Of those, 65 traffic stops were conducted and eight traffic collisions investigated. There were nine individuals arrested on 20 different charges including 11 drugs; four OWI, two domestic battery; one warrant; one criminal confinement; and one intimidation.

Also working on getting a new vehicle, Mount Vernon Fire Chief Robert Wilson asked the Board to authorize Loehr to move forward with the contract and sign said contract on the purchase of a Pierce Enforcer pumper truck, through the Sourcewell Consortium, via the State Bid. It will take 29-32 months to build and deliver the truck and it is priced not to exceed one million one hundred thousand dollars. If there is pre-payment, the price will be cut by $70,014. Board members agreed to make two advance payments, one in 2027 and one in 2028, of $176,356.63 each time that will go toward the loan repayment from United Fidelity Bank.

Wilson reported that since the last meeting, there were 48 calls for service, including two structure fires and three motor vehicle accidents with injury. He was pleased to announce that since implementing the Automatic Aid Agreement, they have already made seven calls where Auto Aid was utilized in cooperation with Black Township Fire and Rescue. Wilson and Assistant Chief Dakota Logan taught a JA in a day lesson to Mrs. Buchanan’s fourth grade class at West Elementary and had a “very good time doing it.”

Utilities Superintendent Chuck Gray was not present as he was at a conference. Curtis Prater, Treatment Plant Superintendent, presented a February Report of Operations.

Some 7.5 hours of training were completed for personnel as a group, 2 hours for individuals, and nine hours of cross training with the fire department. 16,165 feet of sewer line were cleaned and 400 feet of sewer line were videoed with the cam. All trouble lines were cleaned and flushed.

Prater reported no exceedances for January and none were expected for February. He said 163.73 tons of sludge were sent offsite for final disposal at a cost of $2703.88. February revenue for hauled waste coming in was 44,000 gallons $4740.

The Main lift station panel upgrade should be started in mid-March, at a cost of $16,235.68. “We have a cost savings of approximately $18,000 by using K and M Pump over our normal vendor, Xylem. I obtained three quotes, and the work will be done very soon,” he said. Prater continued by stating they are now also doing most repairs in house, and as a result, they really will need a trench box soon, for the “safety of the guys.”

Lastly, he discussed an incident that occurred with a local company that recently cleaned off their equipment and the runoff went into the sewer system. “It should not have been in the storm sewer. My guys caught it and it did not go into the river. They agreed to pay for the services after a conversation with the company. They had no issue with the bill and I sent one for the amount of $1477.50. They have actually changed their Standing Operating Procedure on how they clean their equipment from now on as a result,” he noted.

Street Commissioner Jim Kilgore stated since the last meeting, there were 15 extra trash pick-ups generating $700 and limb removal fees of $270. There were three trash violations letters sent to homeowners for their property being in violation for trash.

Loehr announced Code Enforcement/ Animal Control Officer Clay Clifford is no longer employed with the city as he is now working for the County. Chief Rutledge stated that MVPD Officer Colton Givens has stepped in to help, along with his normal patrol duties. Mrs. Owens in the office will handle the liens and the paperwork the job entails and if there are any complaints of weeds, grass, abandoned vehicle etc ,residents should contact the police department and Mrs. Owens will see that Givens gets them. “Officer Givens volunteered to take this on and kudos to him,” Loehr said.

Board member David Dodd stated he assumes Givens will be receiving compensation.

Rutledge replied no, per se, rather he will be receiving shift differential, as stated in the salary ordinance per the Chief. Shift differential is also given to those on special assignments.

Dodd stated they need to be sure at budget time for next year to show their appreciation.

Hoehn remarked that they will be folding the Code Enforcement position into a police position. “I see it as a win/win for us as now the Code Enforcement position will have more teeth in it with a sworn officer involved. It will allow the department to have another sworn officer, which will also help the overtime budget tremendously,” he remarked.

Hoehn asked about there being an extra stipend on this. City Attorney Beth Higgins responded, “It sounds like there will need to be some changes in the job descriptions, as they should match the salary ordinance. If there is to be a stipend, that can be amended in the salary ordinance which needs to match and mention a stipend.”

Rutledge said he was hoping to use the funds from the Dog Pound budget. Chief Rutledge remarked that is why he likes the shift differential, it goes with the position, not the officer. Mayor Loehr stated this all needs to be documented.

Under Legals, Higgins presented a Change Order for the Hagemann Event Center. She explained that the city extended the bid by 90 days. In return, if Danco could document that there was a price change in that period, there could be a change order. “Danco has presented documentation to Three I that, as a result of the hold, they are now presenting said Change Order in the amount of $240,876,” she told Board members.

Most of the cost comes from material, labor, equipment, and subcontractors. They also indicated that there will be zero additional calendar days on the job as a result and completion is still set for April, 2027. Board member Hoehn asked what the biggest items were in the Change Order. Higgins replied labor expenses, metal framing, concrete. Board member Hoehn asked if they are expecting any other Change Orders since “This is the second so far.” Loehr replied, “Hopefully not, but there is a cushion built in there for it.”