July 10, 2008 City Council Meeting

Reported by C.C. Bloom

The council was advised that certain residents are putting their household garbage in the dumpster behind City Hall.  Apparently, this is causing quite a mess and a city employee is spending city time cleaning up the area.  The discussion revolved around whether the bins should be locked or what other action could be taken to deter the individuals from continuing this behavior.  The City Recorder/Administrator, Charlie Hill, suggested that if the people didn’t put their garbage on city property, where else might they put it?

Mayor Orville Nelson reported that he and Steve Nichols reviewed records on the Sewer STEP/STEG Systems and found that a couple of households are responsible for a large portion of the abuse and costs associated with pumping.  Those households who are abusing the system should be responsible for the cost of the pump and float replacements, as well as the cost of any and all pumping after the first in a five year period.  The individuals who maintain their systems properly should not be punished for the abusive actions of others.  This reflects a complete turnabout in the mayors’ thinking from the onset of discussions concerning the systems.

STEG system users are drastically underpaying the cost of services provided to them, stated Mayor Orville.  Each monthly system user is paying only $1 more per month but the costs of each system comes in at $13.67 per month.  The mayor said that the STEG system bills have to be increased substantially to reflect this cost

A city employee erroneously issued a building permit for a residence that did not meet city code or state fire code.  Councilor Jim Farmer, wanted to make sure that the “mistake” did not happen again and that the employee was made aware of the problem.  He said he wanted it in writing.  The homeowner has been advised that the permit is not valid until the sprinkler system has been okayed by the fire department and the city.  Also, an apparent height restriction in connection with this same incident has been resolved.

Councilor Tim Crockett (SEE YOUTUBE VIDEO – RIGHT), reported that he has completed two abatements and is still working on three.  He said that he advised the homeowners that his son and some other unemployed youths in the area would be willing to do the required work fee $10 and hour.  Apparently, Tim was seen doing some of the work.  When questioned during public comment by Elaine Armstrong, Tim said that he had indeed done some of the work.

Two audience members had concerns:  (1) Should these jobs be posted so that all area youth have a chance for employment? (2) Is it considered an ethics violation for the City Abatement Officer to require work to be done on a resident’s property, then say, “Oh, by the way, my son can do it for you….and if he gets tired of doing it, I’ll do some of it myself.”  

Councilor Crockett stated the city attorney had advised him that there was not a problem with the work being done this way and that the city would have no liability….”but isn’t there a conflict of interest here?” one audience member asked.  The Mayor said he would check with the attorney to make sure things were being done properly.

The Mayor stated that his wife might be starting a food pantry.

Problems are arising with drifting sand around the sewer plant.  The sand is almost to the top of the eco blocks that were suppose to create a buffer zone.  Discussion involved whether the sand should be viewed as an asset or liability.  The main concern is that it needs to be taken care of immediately before it causes damage to the plant.

The problem occurred when the Mayor went ahead with the construction of a new building without having new engineering plans drawn up to accommodate for the slope etc.  Now, the Mayor is suggesting that $5,000 would be a “good deal” to get the sand out of there.

The goings on with the county about the proposed “beach” may or may not help out with the sand matter.  If the county would haul it too the proposed beach site, the watershed would pay to stabilize the area around the new sewer plant.