City council condemns nuisance property
At the top of Monday's agenda for Peabody City Council was a public hearing on a nuisance property at 309 N. Sycamore. The property is owned by Wendell and Judy Bazil of Peabody.
No one was present to represent the Bazils. Health and safety officer Deb Buser told the council letters she sent by certified mail had been picked up, but she'd received no response to them.
Mayor Randy Dallke read a list of factors which render the house at 309 N. Sycamore a nuisance property. The list of infractions included open doors, pigeons roosting in the upper story, a crumbled chimney, holes in the roof and foundation, basement full of water, a porch that has been on temporary supports for several years, and its close proximity to a nursery school.
During discussion by council members, councilman Alan Yock was asked not to offer comments in his capacity on the governing board. Mayor Dallke did, however, recognize Yock as a citizen with property adjoining the nuisance property.
It was noted the house is in bankruptcy proceedings at the present time and lienholders need to be notified of council decisions.
By city ordinance the next step for the council will be to abate the nuisance within 30 days.
Council members agreed that since Bazil has not responded, there is no solution except condemnation and demolition. Resolution 110804 was passed to that effect on a 4-0-1 vote with Alan Yock abstaining.
Later in the meeting a previously condemned property was discussed and Mayor Dallke said the city had purchased the property at 607 N. Locust for $1,200. It was sold at a tax sale held by the county.
Other discussion by council members about ordinances and procedures involving property included replacing trees at city park, having business owners keep weeds trimmed behind their properties, the city's policy on mowing right-of-way ditches, trimming trees hanging over Walnut Street, and cutting shrubs and trees encroaching on alleys.
In other business, the council:
— agreed to donate $500 for fireworks following the Christmas lighting ceremony Nov. 27 and $20 to Main Street's Christmas shopping promotion.
— instructed city administrator Jeff Benbrook to contact Inland Paving about paving the drive at city park.
— agreed to include two part-time police officers in the annual Christmas dinner.
— heard a savings of $900 can be had by making a payment on the new police car in 2004, but tabled a decision to do so until closer to the end of the year to see if the budget will allow the expenditure.
— heard from Benbrook that all departments are "on target" with their budgets as the calendar year ends.
— approved 2005 performance forms and evaluations for city employees. Benbrook will send the employee manual to the city attorney for a final review. Council members hope to have it ready by January 2005.
— reviewed and signed a signature card for new city credit cards. The city will maintain three credit cards.
— reviewed and approved final revision of the plot plan for Peabody Industrial Park. The final plan will be sent to the county.
— heard that as of Monday all cell phones were on one account with Alltel which will save approximately $50 a month.
— approved city employee hours being 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. all year. Previously work times changed between central standard time and daylight-saving time.
— heard that a work agreement for clerk of the court position had been verbally agreed to, but not signed.
