Both the Parks and Recreation Committee and the Code Enforcement Committees Thursday contained prolonged debate concerning where the city should be mowing and weeding. A renewed concentration on performing city beautification has sparked debate regarding whether the city is doing too much yard work and where that yard work is occurring.
"Alleyways are always the responsibility of the homeowners. Public works is doing a good job of helping with alleyways, but that is the responsibility of the homeowners. As a courtesy we will cut them down, but its not required," Councilman John Musgraves said.
"Do we have a crew that cuts besides public works? Because parks and recreation and now public works are mowing things they aren't supposed to be. If we are not supposed to be cutting alleyways, we should not be cutting alleyways," Councilman Tommy Abbott said.
Musgraves said that the city has a lot of elderly in neighborhoods that are currently overgrown.
Abbot answered, "If we're gonna cut one, we should be cutting all."
"I think the priority should be to get everything we should get done first, then work on those alleys," Councilman Kevin Snow responded.
"I wholeheartedly agree that we should do anything that we can for the citizens if we can. But if we can't we can't, and we can't," Abbot added.
The committee also discussed on Thursday whether or not to incorporate a sealed bid or auction method of selling city properties in the future. An ordinance change had its "first reading" at the July full City Council meeting, however, it was also suggested that it be discussed more in this month's committee meeting regarding a few points of contention, such as whether to require that a sign be put in front of properties being sold, to inform neighbors of its availability.
Advertising in the newspaper and on the city's website were also discussed.
"There is no reason why you can't do it yourself. A 2" by 3" ad ran three times a week in the paper runs about $86 in legals," Mike Leathers said.
Leathers also said that the city should use the auction method and have the bidders sign a form that obligates them to comply with the rules the ordinance specifies. He also said that the bidders should be required to bid in person, which he asserts would eliminate out of town buyers that collect properties and neglect them.
In other business, Terry Gaines gave her animal control monthly report to the committee. Gaines told the committee that she had a lot of calls about dogs being left in cars and informed the committee that animal cruelty was a felony.
"In the past, did you have a part-time helper," Councilman John Musgraves asked.
"I had a full-time assistant. If you feel the need, and I'm not trying to be mean, then I'll go ahead and put my notice in. I like to work alone. If I need help then I can call the police department. An animal is not just an animal to me, it's a child and I don't like how some treat them," Gaines replied.
Other issues discussed were whether or not the city should raise the mowing fee from $65 per hour to $130 hour. The mowing fee is charged to property owners when abandoned properties require the city's intervention due to neglect. It was decided to pursue the change by simply amending Ordinance No. 1626, as well as changing the ordinance regarding boarding up abandoned structures. The mowing fees are in addition to citation fees. Councilman Kevin Snow asked if citation amounts needed to be adjusted in addition to the increased mowing fee. Assistant Police Chief Ricky Jefferson replied that they did.
Jefferson also introduced to the committee two new code enforcement officers: Jim Defoe and George Erby. Jefferson told the committee that the city ward map has been slightly altered for simplification and that each code enforcement officer, Defoe, Erby and Jacobs, would be assigned to a ward.
"Each of these guys are assigned a ward. That doesn't mean that if someone calls in they will pass the buck. With that said, we need three trucks. We have one truck they are using right now. The other one Rick Ash is driving for building inspections. We are looking right now for an old police car to put them in," Jefferson added.
"Chief, public works got a deal on a couple trucks from a local company. Maybe if we can put it out the word if anyone is about to get rid of a truck," Councilman Kevin Snow said.
Jefferson also informed the committee that Henard Utility Products was wanting to set up a demonstration of a forested mulcher for the council members sometime during the week of August 24th. He also discussed Iworq Software for code enforcement that allows for officers to incorporate maps, letters, photos and citations. He said it will allow officers to do everything at the property without going to the filing cabinet.
Barbara McAdoo asked Jefferson if the code enforcement officer currently had the iPads needed and offered to buy them for the department herself.
thenry@blythevillecourier.com