Council seeks improvement of Burns property
Abatement of property in Burns, including buildings and property which have been deemed substandard, was discussed by the Burns City Council at the Jan. 14 meeting.
The Vernon Strotkamp property at 211 S. Church was discussed and a resolution was adopted to abate it as nuisance property.
City attorney Eric Kraft conducted a hearing on property at 207 South Washington. Tenant Jerald Leer was present. He asked that the water be turned on at the house. Mayor Miles said the property is in litigation, so no utilities can be turned on. Leer said he is planning on getting a contractor to fix up the house. He asked the council for a list of things that needed to be done.
Following a 10 minute executive session with the attorney, the council adopted a resolution to abate the nuisance property.
Robert Hirsch spoke to the council in regard to his property at 235 S. Washington. He said he has cleaned up the property and will continue to keep it clean.
Carolyn Scolfield spoke to the council concerning vehicles on her property which are inoperable or not tagged. The council gave her two weeks to remove the vehicles and clean up the property.
Mary Glenn addressed other council members on the need for a well monitor to closely watch water levels during drought conditions. She said such a monitor would cost about $350. Councilman Tom Grimwood asked a few questions, Jim Hoffman made the motion, seconded by Mary Glenn, and it passed 3-0.
William and Randall Koehn made the street report, they need rain before they start cleaning ditches following the gas line contractor.
Mayor Brent Miles asked them to move the well house from the west well location and put it near the water tower.
Mary Glenn asked the rest of the council to consider purchasing a small refrigerator, microwave oven, and vacuum sweeper for the city building. Such a purchase was approved, with a cap set at $300.
In other action
Hoffman made a motion to transfer $2,400 from the sewer fund to the special streets fund. It carried 3-0.
The mayor updated the council about the north well. The water has been tested and the well seems to be good. More testing will be done and the well will need to be re-lined and re-grouted.
Computer bids were received by the mayor. The present computer is four years old and needs to be replaced. The council will seek more bids and also consider leasing. City clerk Carolyn Koehn is to get that information for the next meeting.
Mary Glenn reported that the PRIDE meeting Jan. 5 had gone well. Downtown beautification projects were discussed. Glenn is looking into the cost of putting restrooms in the city park.
Mayor Miles announced that the city had received $3,100 from the Esther May Dooley estate. He recommended the money be used for restrooms in the park.
Miles also discussed the affordable housing project.
The mayor said Richard Brenzikofer had told him he will begin tearing down the abandoned house on his Cemetery Lane property.
There was no action taken following a 10 minute executive session to discuss personnel.
The meeting, which began at 7 p.m., was adjourned at 10:50 p.m.
