City Council Public Hearing
March 5, 2007
The Mt. Vernon City Council held a Public Hearing on Monday, March 5, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. in the community building at Veterans Park.
Mayor David E. Keen called the Public Hearing to order and stated that the purpose of this Public Hearing was for Public Comments Regarding the Proposed Amendments to the Existing Enterprise Zone Boundaries.
Roll call showed present: Council Member Ricky D. Heck, Council Member Shirilyn Holt, Council Member John Howard, Council Member Mike Walker and Mayor David E. Keen.
Mayor Keen turned the Public Hearing over to City Manager Ron Neibert.
Mr. Neibert stated that Statutes regulate the Enterprise Zone and to add to the Zone, Council must act on the issue. An addition to the Mt. Vernon /Jefferson County Enterprise Zone will be discussed. Mr. Neibert stated that there are maps available for everyone in attendance so that they can see what is being proposed. The property referred to is two-fold. One parcel is 10 acres East of the Zone and South of the airport that Magnum Steel is looking at to expand. The other parcel is from the Zone down the Union Pacific Railroad to Waltonville to the proposed Ethanol Site. There are two provisions of the enterprise Zone Act. One is to add additional territory but also a third unit of local government, which is the Village of Waltonville. The Village of Waltonville qualifies for the addition to the Zone by the unemployment rate of 10% in 2005. The State Average of 4.1% for the same time, so this is 120% of the State Average. The Village of Waltonville meets the requirement.
Mr. Neibert stated that this addition would take the Zone from 12 Square Miles to 13 Square Miles.
Mayor Keen asked if anyone wished to speak either in favor of or against this Enterprise Zone proposal.
Council Member Ricky D. Heck asked if this proposal means that there would be one square mile added to the current Zone. That means that there would still be 2.1 square miles of area that can be added. Mr. Neibert stated that yes there would still be the 2.1 square miles left.
Mr. John Nelson a Trustee of McClellan Township asked if the Power Holding Coal Mine next year could use the Enterprise Zone if they locate near the railroad also. Mr. Neibert stated that yes, if the property is annexed and near the railroad and near the Zone.
Mayor David E. Keen introduced Mr. Ted Buck and other members of the County Board and Mayor Gifford of Waltonville and several of their Board Members.
Mayor David E. Keen closed the Public Hearing at 6:35 p.m.