MT. VERNON — The city of Mt. Vernon is looking into options for what to do with the lake at Veterans Park. City manager Mary Ellen Bechtel admits that over the years, the city hasn’t put as much funding as necessary into maintaining the lake, and now the lake has become a problem for the city to deal with.

Bechtel says the lake is part of a natural waterway that storm water passes through the city, and about six feet of silt needs to be removed from the lake. And, Bechtel says another problem has developed because of the lake in recent years.

The city is working with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to combat the growing flock of birds at the lake. City leaders do ask visitors to not feed the birds, because it is not good for the birds’ health.

City leaders are asking for the public’s input on the lake. To contact city officials, you can go to mtvernon.com and find an email for the mayor, city manager, city council members and more.