Florence council moves forward on zoning issues
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
Florence City Council decided Monday evening to pursue a more aggressive stand on nuisance properties now that the zoning committee has created regulations to handle such issues. The zoning and planning committee spent about three years working on a zoning plan for Florence and the council approved the committee's recommendations several months ago.
"I think it is time for us to take action on some of the problem areas we have," said councilman Bryan Harper. "Someone moved in a mobile home that didn't meet city codes and when we told him he couldn't use it or live in it, he just moved away and left it. Now we have to take care of it.
"It's time for the council to do something. We have the ordinances, we need to act on them," he added. "What is the point of having this plan if we aren't going to act on it?"
The city council acts as the city's standards board, but has not met in that capacity for some time, pending action by the planning and zoning group.
"We need to meet as the standards board," said councilman Randy Mills. "I suggest we schedule a work meeting and begin deciding how we are going to address these issues."
Council members agreed to meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the city council room.
The mayor and council also signed off on the 2008 budget and passed a resolution in support of possible future development and highway changes on U.S.-50.
In other business, the council:
— agreed to reimburse Florence Historical Society $75 to replant grass along the street that was accidentally killed when city superintendent Phil Baldwin sprayed the gutter area for weeds. The action passed 3-1 with Randy Mills opposed.
— tabled until a future meeting any decision on an appointment to the planning and zoning board and a response to the Corps of Engineers report on the number of trees planted at the tree farm along the Cottonwood River.
— tabled any decision on the ownership of 10th Street until city attorney Marilyn Wilder has a chance to review the legal description and records of transactions on the property.
— scheduled a work night to review the city's options related to Rick Turner's offer to purchase six lots from the former football field which is owned by the city.
— agreed to have police chief Conroy Miller issue warnings to people who are blowing grass clippings into the street, agreed to have Hach, Inc. re-calibrate instruments at the water plant, discussed replacing culverts in various areas of the city, and agreed to check with Marion-Florence USD 408 superintendent Lee Leiker about some building repairs and insurance issues.
— heard that state inspectors were supposed to be at the Oasis building this week to check on reports of mold problems.
— urged Miller to contact Labor Day chairman Reilly Reid about who is paying for extra police protection during Labor Day weekend. Trayce Warner agreed to meet with Reid and decide who is responsible if city crews are needed for overtime duty during the celebration.
— heard that three busloads of Marion Middle School students enjoyed an afternoon of swimming Friday at the Florence pool. The group will be back again on Friday.
