Low-income water assistance program accepted by city aldermen; Missouri Drive on way

The Mt. Vernon Board of Aldermen passed two ordinances during its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 26. The first ordinance passed authorized the execution of the Low-Income Water Assistance program supplier agreement between the Missouri Department of Social Services Family Support Division and the water and wastewater suppliers for Mt. Vernon. The board had voted that the city would participate in the program during its meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 12.
The second ordinance, related to the 600 N. Main property, formerly MRC. The ordinance passed was to accept the sewer easement and dedication agreement from Mt. Vernon Investments LLC.
In other business
Max Springer, city administrator, told the board that the Emergency Service Board had submitted a site plan and building schematic for Missouri Drive, and the city would need to get Missouri Drive roughed in and the utilities put in “fairly quickly.” The board voted to hire an engineer for upcoming construction in that area, which is located on the south side of I-44, near the future home of the Lawrence County Jail.
The board also approved a request by Springer that Joe Kelley, who will take over for Springer as city administrator in January of 2022, be appointed as the city’s representative to the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments. They approved another request that Kelley also be appointed to represent the city in the Southwest Missouri Solid Waste Management District N.
Also approved by the board was a proposal to move Jonathan Waters from the Streets Department to the Water Department, for training. Waters will eventually take over for Danny Cordova, who is retiring in September of 2022. The board’s approval is pending Waters passing his certification test.
Finally, the board approved a request from Springer to advertise for a part-time janitor and maintenance employee position. The person hired to fill the position, Springer told the board, will clean the police station and be the relief maintenance employee at the MARC and eventually be janitor for City Hall.