Mt. Vernon BOA extends contract with Hogan for MRC campus purchase

The Mt. Vernon Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance authorizing an amendment to a contract with Timothy Hogan to extend his inspection period of the MRC campus by an extra 60 days, it was announced at the Jan. 28 board meeting. Hogan requested the extension through his legal representative, Bryan Hyre, who sent a letter, dated Jan. 16, to the city requesting the extension.
The board actually voted to approve the amendment a week before the meeting. Shannon Neely, city clerk, conducted an e-mail poll with the board members on Jan. 21, and a majority voted to approve the amendment via e-mail.
Hogan entered into a contract with the city to purchase the MRC building on Oct. 22, 2019. Under the terms of the contract at the time, he agreed to a purchase price of $575,000, with a $50,000 down payment. He also had a 90-day inspection period to determine whether the property was suitable for his needs.
In the letter he sent to the city, Hyre stated that if the city chose not to extend the contract, then the agreement to purchase the property was terminated and the down payment would need to be refunded.
In his report, City Administrator Max Springer stated Hogan also asked if nine homes connected to the MRC’s water and electric system could be connected to city utilities. He said Hogan would increase his offer for the purchase of the MRC by $25,000 to help cover costs if the city would agree to do this. Springer said the city would do this if and when Hogan goes ahead with the purchase of the MRC building.
New alderman…
The city of Mt. Vernon has a new face on the board of aldermen. The board voted to name Marda Gramm as Mt. Vernon Ward Three alderman during the meeting, replacing Darrell Lester on the board. After the vote, Gramm was sworn in and took her seat with the board of aldermen.
Wastewater Plant update…
Springer also gave an update on the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He reported that the #4 rotor shelled a bearing inside the gearbox on Monday, Jan. 20 and was shut off. He also said the shaft seals in two rotors would need to be replaced.
 Other needed repairs included new skimmer wipers for the clarifiers, changing of oil and filter on the gearbox and replacing the speed indicator. Springer stated McClanahan Construction had been asked to give a bid on all the repairs needing to be done.
In other business…
Mayor David Eden read proclamations proclaiming Feb. 2 through Feb. 8 as “Thank a Farmer Week” and Feb. 10 through Feb. 16 as “Ronald McDonald House Week.”