City council grants extension to landowner
Peabody City Council softened its stand on the property at 411 Maple at Monday night's meeting and gave owners Larry and Patty Davis an additional six months to try to sell the house.
Patty Davis presented council with a signed agreement with Shreves Avery of Marshall-Avery Realtors, giving the agency the right to sell the property for $6,000. The listing agreement is for six months.
During a conference call at the previous council meeting Patty Davis had requested additional time to seek an agreement with a financial institution for repairs to the home sufficient to bring it up to code.
That was the plan to which the council agreed.
On Monday council members heard from Davis that some minor repairs have been made, the interior has been cleaned up, and she has hired someone to do the mowing and exterior work until winter.
Council members expressed frustration at having to extend the process to abate the nuisance. But they agreed with councilman Alan Yock who said, "We are not in the business of taking people's property and doing so gives us no pleasure."
After considerable discussion. council agreed to look at the property on Jan. 10, the first meeting of the new year and see if Davis has kept the place mowed and cleaned up. Police will check for vandalism and unauthorized entry between now and then to determine whether or not the home is vulnerable to vandals.
Mayor Randy Dallke requested the Davises also be in attendance at that meeting.
A motion by Tom Schmidt to postpone a decision until January was unanimously approved by council.
In action related to the vacant lot at 302 N. Elm, council members voted to abate the nuisance, clean up the property, and add the charges to the owner's personal property taxes. No one was present to address city action on the property.
Council members also began discussion and planning for a program to give away vacant lots owned by the city. Council will appoint a special committee to establish guidelines as well as review plans and proposals that will qualify for a give-away program.
City council will appoint three to five people to be on the committee.
In other business, the council:
— heard from Phillip Fishburn of Midwest Assistance Programs that the sewer project plan still is awaiting approval from the state Office of General Council.
— approved a request by American Legion Auxiliary to note in the water bill newsletter that Avenue of Flags T-shirts are for sale at the Open Door.
— held an executive session for performance review discussions on city employees Bruce Burke and Darren Pickens.
— heard from swimming pool manager Deanna Baker that the 2004 pool season was terrible for total attendance and days of operation because of unusually cool weather. Baker indicated her sales tax identification number has not arrived although she has been informed that it has been issued. The number is necessary for reporting sales tax on pool concessions.
— on a related topic, council members heard from city administrator Jeff Benbrook that repairs to the pool are scheduled to be complete before Oct. 15, at which time the pool will be made ready for winter closing. Benbrook also said lifeguard stands will need to be purchased before next summer.
— heard that the drainage ditch between Vine and Olive streets has been cleared of weeds and undergrowth.
— approved Municipal Clerk's Academy training seminars for both Jeff Benbrook and Stephanie Ax Nov. 8 to 12. During that time the city office will only be open from 8 a.m. to noon.
— examined a spreadsheet created by Benbrook showing the schedule of "Personal Time Off" for each employee. Council also agreed to return to the next meeting and establish a new policy for employee "on-call" schedules.
— heard the Workman's Compensation insurance company application has been submitted and approved.
— heard that codification of new city ordinances has not been done in several years. The project will cost between $2,500 and $5,000. Council members agreed the code books were adequately organized and up to date enough to serve the city on a day-to-day basis. They will look at finances at the end of the year and determine if there are funds available to pay the city attorney for updating the books.
