City council approves sale of old water tower lots
The Peabody city council reviewed the minutes of Sept. 10, 2001, to re-examine the wording on the original proposal to sell to the school district the old water tower lots at Maple and 8th and the steam plant lots at Pine and 8th.
There was discussion as to whether the city's offer was for $2,000 per lot or $2,000 per property parcel. The school district is not interested in purchasing the steam plant lots.
On a motion by Tammie Yoder, the council agreed 5-0 to offer the water tower parcel to USD #398 for $2,000 with the provision that the school take care of the well house and assume responsibility for the care of the property if the corner and the water lines ever need to be lowered.
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Koehn were present to hear from the council about the sewer assessment on the property they own on 9th Street.
Under the new sewer ordinance, property owners are assessed 40% of the cost of installation with the city picking up the remaining 60%. Property owners in other areas of the city who have received sewer upgrades have been billed in the same manner. The property owner may pay the cost up front or have it added to his taxes and spread out over a period of 15 years.
Councilman Tom Schmidt said, "No one is ever happy with special assessments. Generally the property owners cannot see the results. But if the city improves property or the improvements have the potential to improve property, the city has the right to assess the owners for those improvements."
Gene Schmill made the motion to assess Mr. and Mrs. Koehn et al and Mr. and Mrs. Randy Dallke for 40% of the cost of the new sewer line. The motion passed 4-1 with three affirmative votes. There was a "no" vote by Tammie Yoder and an abstention by Randy Dallke.
Nuisance properties were reviewed. The clean-up effort at 211 South Olive was deemed incomplete by the city clerk and the council approved giving the owner until July 8 to comply.
The property at 702 Locust was discussed and a motion for a resolution for a public hearing on the property passed 5-0.
Council members heard a report from Dale Clark of Knudsen and Monroe concerning the annual audit. Clark noted that the city had done a better job during the last year with its budget and spending.
Budget issues for the coming fiscal year also were discussed, but no decisions were made.
An executive session to discuss the acquisition of property was held, but no action was taken.
Tammy Whiteside and Rose Thomason were officially appointed chairmen of the July Fourth parade.
The city was notified that Marion County will be chip-seal Old Mill Road south of Peabody this summer. The county crews will take the project as far as Needle Road.
The council was informed that if the city is interested in paying to have the chip-sealing done as far as Central and Maple, it could be done by the county at that time. The council instructed the city clerk to contact the county for a price estimate with an order to accept the county's offer if the cost is less than $5,000.
A committee comprised of the mayor and councilmen Gard and Schmill presented a list of trees in the city that are in violation of the tree ordinance. After discussion, it was decided that before letters are sent to property owners, the city needs to take care of its own trees, also in violation of the ordinance.
The council also heard that Reiss and Goodness is putting together a contract proposal on property for the new sewer plant, discussed a bid for the new shelter house at the park, selected Bill Strait of Bucher and Willis as its first choice for CDBG administrator, and voted to spray for mosquitoes before the July Fourth celebration.
Tabled until the meeting on July 10 were personnel policies and guidelines, pest control at the roundhouse, painting the trim on city hall, and a decision on the bridge on south Walnut Street.
