Staff writer
Peabody City Council officially made the north side of W. 4th St. a no-parking zone from Poplar St. to Peabody St. at the council meeting Monday night.
They voted unanimously to approve an addition to the no-parking ordinance that designates part or all of Peabody streets no-parking zones from 9th St. south to Central St. and from Peabody St. east to Prairie Lawn St. except for Chestnut St., Spruce St., and Prairie Lawn St.
The ordinance will be in force as soon as it is published in the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, official newspaper for the city. Signs will be purchased and installed.
Interim city administrator Mac Manning told the council he had sent a letter to Janie Hampton of 609 W. 4th St. instructing her to remove the railroad ties she had used to create a fence near the street, citing the regulation banning such items from city right of ways. Hampton has 30 days to comply.
In other business:
- A request for a donation from the Peabody-Burns High School Adventure Club was tabled until Manning could review the funds set aside for donations in 2014.
- Manning told the council Mark Whitney requested a public hearing for a zoning amendment to rezone the property at 311 N. Pine St. from a residential two-family dwelling district zone to allow a mobile home. The hearing will take place at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Peabody Planning Commission meeting in the city building.
- The council approved sending municipal court clerk Jan O’Neil to clerk school March 20 and 21 in Junction City. The state will pay all travel and training expenses for O’Neil. The city will pay her normal wages for the two days she is in training.
- Police chief Bruce Burke told council members the 2005 patrol car continues to need repairs. A problem with the engine caused the computer system to fail. Burke said new parts are no longer available for the car and one had to be found in a salvage yard. The city spent about $800 to purchase the used computer and have it installed. Burke presented a price quote from Midway Motors on a 2014 Dodge Charger for $22,775. After discussion, the council agreed to revisit the issue in September after the budget is approved and council members have a better grasp of what they are facing in 2015.
- Interim public works director Ronnie Harms reported his department repaired three water leaks on Jan. 7. He told council members the swimming pool cover will probably last until pool season, but it will need to be replaced when the pool is ready to be covered in the fall.
- The council heard that Marion County is under a burn ban until Feb. 10.
- Burke said he had complaints from people who live near the city park that all-terrain vehicles had been riding through the playground area and the west side of the park after recent snow. The council agreed to order signs banning the use of ATVs in the park.
- Manning said that several applications had been received for city positions that are open. The final day to submit an application is Feb. 10. Council members will review applications after that date.
The next meeting of council meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 10.