Permits cause confusion for Peabody residents
Peabody City Council Monday night addressed some problems with its plan to enforce required building permits in the city limits.
The ordinance states anyone constructing a new building or adding to an existing building in a manner that will change the outside dimensions of that structure, is required to pay $25 to the city for a building permit.
Peabody pays an annual retainer to a building inspector for the purpose of inspecting new construction and remodeling projects to be sure they are being done to code.
"If the owner does not make application to the city for a building permit, we have no way of making sure the work being done is what it is supposed to be," said Jeff Benbrook, city administrator.
Benbrook recently sent several letters to local citizens who are in the process of building or adding on to a home and asked them to come to the city office to apply for a permit.
"It (the permit) shows the scope of the project. Then the inspector can make sure the right materials are being used and work is being done correctly," said Benbrook. "This actually benefits the homeowner who has hired a contractor to do the work. Inspections will be done at regular intervals and the homeowner will know the work is up to code."
There is no charge to the individual for inspections.
"There is no point to having an ordinance to protect the citizens from unscrupulous contractors, if the city has no way of knowing there is work being done," Benbrook said.
Council members agreed that getting the information out to the public has been a problem.
Tammy Whiteside was present to talk to the council about a porch and handicap accessible ramp she is building on her mother's home on Locust. She also is replacing a porch on a rental property on Olive.
One property will involve larger dimensions and regulations regarding handicap accessibility and work on the other property will not change the outward size of the building according to Whiteside.
Her discussion with council members brought forth some problems in the notification process as well as some of the wording of the ordinance.
Council members and Benbrook will continue to attempt to educate the public.
Joanna Brazil updated the council on issues with various grants in which the city is interested. Council members and Brazil agreed to forego an attempt to apply for a Transportation Enhancement Grant after further information indicated the city plan did not really fit grant guidelines.
Council members agreed to hold a special meeting Nov. 22 for the purpose of finalizing long-term goals for housing the city shop, police department, and city offices.
Brazil also informed council that senior citizens had accepted Main Street's offer of facade assistance on its buildings downtown.
In other business, the council:
— discussed a bill from Alltel for cell phone service for the police department. Council asked Benbrook to investigate other cell phone plans that might be less costly. They also asked that discussion of a cell phone policy be added to the list of items to be discussed for the employee's manual.
— discussed a complaint about dead trees on private property. Benbrook was asked to research city nuisance ordinances and request an opinion from the city attorney regarding removal of dead trees.
— instructed Benbrook to find out how much a 2004 payment on a new police car would effect interest rather than holding off until 2005. On a 3-2 vote with Gard and Rose opposed, council instructed Benbrook to pursue the bid for the new car from Hillsboro Ford.
— approved increasing hours of the clerk of the court from 10 to 24 hours a month. Salary range for the position will be from $8.50/hr. to $10/hr. depending on schooling and experience.
— unanimously approved a new city newsletter format created by city treasurer Stephanie Ax.
— tabled until a future meeting a discussion about "corporate identity" for the city and making all logos, patches, and designs the same.
— heard the pool is leaking at the rate of five to six inches a day. Council instructed Benbrook to have the pool lowered a foot and a half, to just below the level where it has leaked before, and see if that area is again the problem.
— approved the clothing allowance policy for employees.
— agreed to have Benbrook send a follow-up letter to the county on progress of repairs on area county roads.
— discussed additional lighting at the deep end of the pool and agreed to have lights in the concession area turned out after pool season ends.
— agreed to proceed with purchasing millings for the park track and have them ready to add in the spring.
— approved economic development committee's revised plat plan for Peabody Industrial Park and approved presenting it to the county after revisions are put in place by GeoTech.
— went into executive session for the purpose of discussing acquisition of property. No action was taken on return to open meeting.
