Sheldon cleanup fees going up dramatically

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Nevada Daily Mail

Sheldon property owners who fail to keep their property cleaned up will soon pay a much higher fee if the city does it for them.

The Sheldon Board of Alderman passed a resolution during its meeting Thursday to increase the fee from an overall $30 to $100 per lot, plus $40 per laborer per hour and a $50 administrative fee.

"You will find the resolution is stiff," said Mayor Jerod Lamb, who drafted the resolution. "It's as stiff as two communities to the south of us and three communities to the north of us." Alderman Cheryl Bogart favored the policy at once.

"We need it," Bogart said. "I've had citizens in the city just point blank tell me they don't care because it's cheaper for them to have the city do it, than what they can hire or do themselves." Board Chairman Robert Moran disagreed.

"I believe that's excessive," Moran said. "While I'm in concurrence with the intention, I believe that's an excessive amount. And, I believe it is punitive. It's given over to mischief that is disruptive and destructive to the city. The fact that other cities have adopted this, doesn't mean that we should." Lamb said he believed Moran had valid points.

"It could lead to mischief," he said. "If you follow the system and treat everyone fairly, I think that would fix itself." The mayor further explained after posting a violation, a hearing made up of two community members and a council member would follow, so property owners could voice their circumstances and complaints. "I do think it is an unfair burden at times," he said, "but it's not the city's burden to mow a yard at $30. Without putting teeth into the ordinance, there's no way to fix it. The only reason I've chose this particular amount is it's court tested." Bogart agreed the ordinance needed teeth, at least at first.

"If they get written up for a violation, they need to be aware of what the fines are going to be up front," she said. "If we're consistent, treat everybody the same and follow through, I think you're going to see a change by the end of the summer in this town." Lamb said regardless of the aldermen's actions, he worries about people who are hit but unaware of the consequences.

"What I don't worry about is the financial institutions that I deal with that do not care," he said.

Moran brought up the ordinance with penalties for maintenance noncompliance.

"If you issued citations, we don't need to clean their property," he said. "There are much more serious issues of community maintenance than the grass around here. We're complaining about an ant bite; we may get run over by an elephant."

Alderman Joshua Lamb said he believed the resolution addresses more than the grass and made a motion to accept the resolution.

Bogart seconded the motion. The measure passed, with Moran casting the only "no" vote.

"I think it's an error for the city to do it," Moran said. "As a secondary item, I think the costs here are excessive also. I think until we have really tried the citations and found them to be ineffective, then (we shouldn't) use a sledgehammer when a tack hammer might do for 90 percent of the problem."

In other business the board agreed to reorganize the city's park board.

Lamb said he would inform the current park board by drafting a letter that would make Rob Sewell president and liaison to the board of aldermen. Anyone who serves on the park board would be required to live in town.

"They need to take minutes and be responsible, otherwise, we forfeit their budget," he said. "I am not a big fan of how the concession stand is operated for the school, either. That's a train wreck. The school should be able to operate a concession stand. There's some things that need cleaned up and handled." Lamb further explained applicants should be reviewed by the board and then appointed.

"That board needs to understand they are appointed by this governing body," he said. "New sheriff in town."

Sewell added, "When there is money involved, and it's the city's money at times, it looks like it should be that way."

Alderman Lamb joked, "I would like to thank you for volunteering, or should I say volun-tolding. Because I just think you got volun-told to be president," On another matter, the mayor brought up the issue of replacing the bandstand at the meeting.

"If the bandstand comes down something must be built," he said. "It needs fixing. You could ride it one more year and do something next year." The board agreed to put up a suggestion box at the Old Settler's Picnic Aug. 15-17.

"You shoot for new bandstand 2014," Lamb said.

The mayor also mentioned light installation in the park in time for the picnic.

The board approved paying half the cost of installing lights. Little league and the picnic association would each match 25 percent of the cost.

In other business, the board

* Approved setting a surplus property auction 6:58 p.m. July 12

* Approved removing law enforcement and terrorism insurance from the city's policy. Moran abstained from the vote. He said he approves removing law enforcement from the insurance but not terrorism.

* Approved investigate the condition of a sidewalk for repair

* Approved the city retain membership in the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission.

* Approved turning a police car into a city car.

* Approved donating a base radio, if workable, to the Sheldon fire department.

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