Staff writer
City Administrator Mac Manning told Peabody City Council on Monday evening that he sent about 80 letters to Peabody homeowners whose properties are in violation of a city ordinance.
Recipients of the letters were invited to attend a council meeting and informally discuss the question of whether a violation actually exists and whether the homeowner has a timetable for the matter to be corrected.
Two Peabody residents asked to be put on the agenda to address the complaints.
Archie Riggs, who owns two houses in the 800 block of North Olive that are in violation of city ordinances, was present to discuss his properties. He told council members he is using both properties for storage and he intends to sell them as soon as he empties them.
Roxanne Dallke asked to address the council regarding a property she owns at 612 N. Sycamore, but she did not attend the meeting.
The properties were targeted under a new plan that eliminates the need for a health and safety officer and passes the job for seeking out nuisance properties to police officers patrolling the city.
The letters were mailed Nov. 30 and recipients have 30 days from that date to address the issue or make corrections.
In other business:
- Members of the streets and alleys committee reported they met and reviewed the 2011 resurfacing program and put together a preliminary list of projects for 2012 and 2013.
- Manning told the council he has been working on the amendment to the 2011 budget for publication in this issue of the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin. The hearing will be held at the Dec. 27 meeting.
- The council heard that public works employees spread gravel last week on 8th Street between Poplar and Peabody streets.
- Manning announced that Lynn Berns has requested a special use permit that will allow her house at Fourth and Sycamore streets to serve as a bed and breakfast. A public hearing will take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 16 in the council room.
- Peabody Economic Development Director Shane Marler told the council that all of the money in the Main Street loan pool for the Incentives Without Walls program has been loaned out for the first time since Peabody received the loan funds in the early 1990s.
- Marler also told the council that there are more Shopping Spree tickets in circulation than were turned in at the end of the promotion in 2010.
- Cereal malt beverage licenses for 2012 were approved for Peabody Market and Food Mart.
- The council unanimously accepted the June 30, 2011, audit of the Housing Authority of the City of Peabody.
- Manning presented a letter from Allegiance Communications notifying the city of a $3 a month rate increase.
- Council members approved a $1,700 expenditure to give each full-time employee a $100 holiday gift and part-time employees a $50 holiday gift. The gifts will be given in Peabody Bucks. Pam Lamborn voted against the motion.
Due to the legal holiday status of the Dec. 26, the next council meeting will be 7 p.m. Dec. 27.