Peabody council revisits mowing ordinance
Peabody City Council members were encouraged Monday night to "put some teeth" into an ordinance prohibiting citizens from blowing grass clippings into the street this year.
"We already have a huge mess in the gutters," said councilman Ed Slocombe. "Darren (Pickens) has told us his goal is to have the gutters cleaned by July Fourth. We know we don't have the manpower to do that right away as well as everything else that needs to be done.
"In the meantime it's almost mowing season and there will be lots of grass blown into the gutters.
"Grass clippings will compound problems we're going to have with storm debris going into our storm drains. We need to enforce the ordinance, put some teeth in it, and make people aware," he added.
The city ordinance against depositing grass clippings in the gutter or street allows for a $100 fine and/or jail time.
Council members agreed to make a concentrated effort to get the word out in the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin and the city newsletter.
After discussion they also agreed to be prepared at the next council meeting to create a method for issuing warnings and fines.
A group interested in riding horses was in attendance to ask for clarification of a sign at the park prohibiting horses. The group included members of a local saddle club organized by Tina Partridge.
Mayor Tom Schmidt said the ruling came after a juvenile put a horse in the park restroom for a period of time and left the mess for city employees to clean up. At that time the privilege of riding horses in city park was rescinded.
After discussion, council agreed to establish a permit system for individuals wanting to ride horses on Peabody streets as well as in the park. (Participation in a parade will not require a permit.)
There will be no charge for the permit, but the document will list regulations and require a signed agreement of compliance. Tina Partridge, Jeff Benbrook, and Jim Philpott will work on a document of agreement and present it at the next meeting.
The city will allow the group access to the park after the storm debris is removed. They will be allowed to ride anywhere except the playground area, football field, and baseball diamond area. They will be required to clean up any excrement left by the horses.
In other business the council:
— gave final approval to ordinance 07-2005 which calls for contractors working in Peabody to be licensed.
— heard from Al Reiss and Darren Pickens that Peabody's clear well at Hillsboro has been losing water due to a leak that has evaded detection.
— approved several items for the sewer project including a change order for a standby generator, a list of approved subcontractors, and additional insurance to cover the city when the contracting company bores under the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line.
— heard that Pickens is getting bids on water tower cleaning and maintenance.
— approved a bid from Peabody Hardware for $1,306 for material to build 400 feet of fence on the east side of the park.
— approved a proposal from John Balthrop of Avery Insurance for the city's liability and property insurance.
— tabled for more information decisions on purchase of a generator for the water tower, purchase of a mower attachment, and use of a camper/RV as a residence at 302 Poplar.
— approved a $2,800 bid from Middlecreek Mining to re-cut the ditch area between Vine and Olive streets from Fifth Street south to Division Street.
— entered an agreement with Gary Hilliard to have an abandoned mobile home removed from his property.
— heard that negotiations with Federal Emergency Management Agency have ended. The city is waiting to see if claims are approved.
— heard that work agreements were sent to swimming pool co-managers, Sarahanne Kirchner and Rachael Kostner.
— appointed Joanna Brazil to represent Peabody at Marion County Economic Development. Council members hope to appoint a second member on Brazil's recommendation.
