Business owners responsible for alleys
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
With Peabody Mayor Ed Slocombe out of town, council president Steve Rose conducted Monday's meeting at the city building.
During a discussion of nuisance conditions in the city, health and safety officer Tammy Whiteside asked about conditions in the alleys behind businesses. Weeds, brush, woody growth, and trash are a problem in several areas.
Benbrook reminded that responsibility for upkeep in the alleys lies with the property owner. The owner is responsible for trimming weeds, cutting trees, and keeping the area free of debris and trash.
The regulation applies to business owners as well as residential property owners.
Another nuisance issue discussed was the status of four unoccupied mobile homes. After lengthy discussion the council was unable to reach consensus on what constitutes a nuisance when the properties are secure, but are used for storage instead of living quarters.
Council members decided to pursue the process with a mobile home on Peabody Street, because windows in the structure are broken allowing access to the interior. That property will move into the formal hearing stage, but no action was taken on the other three.
Council also conducted review hearings on three properties and declared 501 Elm free of nuisance conditions, gave the owner of the property at 709 Vine a two-week extension to haul away debris, and voted to have city employees abate the nuisance conditions at 303 Elm.
Council members reviewed damage to the former steam plant on Pine Street and discussed options available to them. The building is used to store supplies for replacing and repairing water lines. Several weeks ago an uninsured motorist backed into the building and pushed in a section of the west wall.
After discussion city administrator Jeff Benbrook was instructed to get some estimates to fix or replace the building and estimates on the damage to the contents.
In other business, the council:
— approved and accepted the county mitigation plan. The city now will be under the umbrella of the county plan in the event of a disaster.
— heard from Tammy Whiteside and Verna Gervais about water leaks on their properties. Each was seeking relief from additional late charges as they set up a payment plan with the city and sought adjustments to the charges incurred for the water. The property owner must pay for the water used, but a portion of the sewer bill is forgiven based on average usage prior to the leak.
The city requires the property owner to make the necessary repairs before seeking compromise on the bill from the city.
The women will pay a percentage of the charges, the city will freeze additional charges, and the city treasurer will get figures for previous usage. Council will review the information next meeting. Whiteside's bill is $282 and Gervais' is $2,365.
— approved a request by Peabody Main Street for use of city barricades for the Christmas promotion Dec. 8.
— approved payment of $2,503 — half the cost of five rescue bags and gear for Peabody Fire Department. Marion County Fire District #4 will pay the remainder.
— approved renewal of its franchise agreement with Westar. The franchise fee will go from 3 percent to 5 percent of gross receipts. These funds are returned to the city by Westar. The agreement will be up for renewal in five years.
— heard a review of the sewer project. The city still has not heard from Kansas Department of Health and Environment on the status of the former sewer plant and the removal of mercury found there.
— heard employee reports from pool manager Sarahanne Unruh, Main Street director Kristen Hooper, and health and safety officer Tammy Whiteside.
— reviewed a note from a resident concerning the condition of the street in front of his home. Benbrook noted he had driven the street in question and found no pot holes or problems. Benbrook was instructed to contact the resident for more information.
— heard the electrical contractor for the new city shop has offered to get the agreed-upon work completed, but will withhold billing until March 2008. Approval was given.
— heard a report from Benbrook about the city's responsibility for "cyber-security." It is the responsibility of city government to maintain a secure system.
— agreed to re-run the advertisement for additional help in the public works department.
