No news is good news?

A couple of things were accomplished at the October 1 City Council meeting.

On the recommendation of the Building Committee, which met on Monday evening, the council unanimously voted to  approve Land Run properties to be given for "investment" (rental) property, including multi-family buildings,  subject to approval of re-zoning as applicable.  There was much discussion of the subject and it is hoped that it doesn't have to be revised again other than for zoning decisions.  That is where the public has a chance to have its say -- at Zoning Committee meetings -- so watch for postings of the meetings.  Even though it is the policy of City officials to discourage the public's attendance at Committee meetings, and they don't feel the need to publish minutes or notes from those meetings (their answer to complaints about that is "we aren't legally required to do so," it is the citizens' right to attend and give input BEFORE DECISIONS ARE MADE FINAL. 

In executive session, which was closed off to the press and to the public, Mayor Clay Loosen explained to the City Council his reasons for

firing Police Chief John Massey. Pretty much what was in Wednesday's newspaper article. Though there have been calls of support for Massey, the bottom line is, he hasn't been doing a good job as police chief.  We'll have to wait until the next issue of the Republican to see if Mayor Loosen gives a comment following the executive session, as he said he would. 

There was more discussion about Code Enforcement -- there was no item on the agenda but under new/old business, Councilman Richard Hightower continues to ask the Mayor "what's being done about code enforcement".  The answer is: not much other than notice letters mailed and yards being mowed. No citations are being issued under any of the three Chapters of code violations [yards with weeds and trash; abandoned and junk vehicles; and health and safety hazards/dilapidated buildings].  The Fire Marshall is not taking action on dilapidated buildings that are fire and safety hazards.  A proposal presented at a prior council meeting to hire a private contractor to do code enforcement has evidently been put on a back burner.  After the upcoming cheese festival, I will publish the Codes and remedies it provides.  

 

Speaking of cheese festival, city employees have been busy around town painting new stripes on the streets in preparation for the annual Festival.

 

Bids for painting jobs at Mercy Hospital, of approx. $60,000 for inside and outside, were accepted at the Public Works Authority meeting.   

 

/Linda