Engineering study reveals many MV utility poles out of compliance with code

City to save hundreds of thousands to do own replacements; new Mt. Vernon City Hall revamp to be concluded April 15
 
An engineering study showed 56 utility poles in Mt. Vernon are out of compliance with the National Electric Code, City Administrator Max Springer told the Mt. Vernon Board of Aldermen during their meeting Tuesday, Feb. 12.
According to Springer’s report to the board, Empire Fiber approached the city with a route for fiber connection to one of their clients which utilizes 77 of the city’s utility poles on Thursday, Jan. 17. They had Allgeier, Martin and Associates do the engineering study, which found all but 15 of the utility poles out of compliance.
Springer also told the board that Empire estimated changing out the utility poles would cost $10,000 per pole, while Toth and Associates, the city’s electric consultants, said it would cost $6,000 per pole. However, Springer said the city could do the work itself and change out the poles for about $33,000, not including labor (Springer said the $33,000 would cover the poles and hardware).
“I like your numbers better,” Mayor David Eden told Springer, prompting some laughter from others in attendance.
Springer also told the board that the code requires the city to bring the poles into compliance once it has been learned that they are out of compliance.
“We’re asking for permission to work with Toth to assess all of our poles, find out where we’re at with those structures, and begin a replacement program to get (the poles) into compliance,” he said.
The board voted to cap the consulting fees paid to Toth at $15,000.
Springer later said the reasons for the poles being out of compliance were varied.
“Some of the poles have weight issues and some have clearance issues, some have both and are beyond their scheduled life,” he said. “The code addresses everything that is attached to the pole. There are clearances that are dictated between the fixtures attached. There is electric space and there is communication space. Over the years, poles have been changed out, and the number of attachments has increased, causing clearance issues. Each pole is rated for the amount of weight that can be attached.”
During his report, Springer also gave the council an update on the progress of new city hall building at 109 N. Hickory Street. He stated the canopy in front of the building had to be shortened due to power lines and clearance. Additionally, the north was supposed to get a 20-inch soffit overhang with lighting on it, but structural engineers determined the wall would not support it. Now, the soffit will only protrude six inches from the brick and will have no lighting. Finally, no match could be found for the tile in the building’s foyer, so the floor behind the counter will be carpeted instead.
Springer also told the board that the building’s interior buildout would start on Feb. 18, electrical roughout would be on the 19th with an inspection on the 21st. Drywall installation will begin on the 26th, and work will be completed on April 15.
Additionally, Springer announced the Mt. Vernon Community Garden will be located on a lot at 608 Seneker Avenue and the corner lot adjacent to it. He said the city will also set a frost-proof hydrant at the corner between the lots.
During the meeting, the board passed two ordinances. The first ordinance authorized execution of two agreements by and between the city and Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission to include a Transportation Alternatives Funds Program agreement and a sidewalks Improvement agreement. The second ordinance amended the Mt. Vernon municipal code regarding the Table of Permitted Uses, regarding warehouses and residential storage.
Later in the meeting, Dave Hubert, chief of police, introduced John Sappington, the city’s newest police officer. Hubert was also honored for his 20 years of service with the city at the beginning of the meeting when Eden presented him with a special jacket recognizing his years of service.