Long time coming — Veterans Administration to leave Mt. Vernon by end of April

The Veterans Administration will leave its present location at 600 N. Main Street, Mt. Vernon, by April 30 of this year. Mt. Vernon City Administrator Max Springer announced during the Mt. Vernon Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8, that the city had received a 90-day notice from the VA that it will vacate the property no later than the end of April.
Springer added that the VA will actually be at its current location one month longer than originally planned; the city’s original 30-month agreement with the VA was set to expire March 31, 2019.
Springer also noted that the city’s listing agreement with Clemons Real Estate for 600 N. Main expires on Feb. 14; he requested the board extend the agreement with Clemons until Feb. 14, 2020. He also recommended the installation of fencing around the property’s buildings to secure it after the VA leaves. The board approved both requests, and voted to sell specific tools and equipment from the facility to pay for the fencing.
In other business, the board approved wage increases for city employees for Fiscal Year 2019. According to unofficial minutes from the meeting, full-time city employees will receive a starting wage of $12 per hour, and part-time employees will receive $11 per hour. Seasonal employees will receive $8.60 per hour. Current full-time employees will see their pay raise by $2 per hour in relation to the starting wage, and current part-time employees will receive a raise of $1 per hour. City police officers will receive a starting wage of $15 per hour.
The board also approved a bid by Otis Elevator Company to maintain the elevator at the city’s future city hall at 109 N. Hickory. Otis had the low bid of $125 per month, or $1,500 annually. The other bid came from Kone, Inc. for $150.43 per month or $1,805.16 annually.
 Also, during the meeting, Springer presented a change order to the city’s contract with G and G Construction for the Wastewater Treatment Plant project for an additional $31,357.64 to pay for bearings and seals for ditch rotors purchased by G and G for the project. Springer told the board that the city originally tried to purchase the materials for the project, but was unable to get the bearings and seals, so G and G was asked to locate and purchase them instead.
The board approved the change in the contract, and also approved a pay order on the project of $58,643.16.
Additionally, the board also approved the purchase of signage which will tell the public where they are allowed to go in city hall and prohibit the carrying of weapons into public buildings. They also voted to proceed with applying for a transportation assistance program (TAP) grant to build a sidewalk from the bridge on Main Street to Highway 174. If awarded, the grant will be for $399,189; the federal share would be $319.351.20, and the city’s share would be $79,837.80.
Finally, the board voted to accept an offer to purchase the property at 320 W. Sloan for $3,500.