Walker Board of Aldermen discusses updating city ordinance

The Walker Board of Aldermen met in regular session Monday evening. The board discussed city ordinances in regards to keeping yards clean and agreed to have the City Attorney to update the ordinances.

Photo by Lisa Hinkle | Daily Mail

Mayor Harold Walter called the Walker Board of Aldermen meeting to order on Monday, Jan. 23. The board approved of the agenda, minutes from last month’s meeting, the minutes from the special meeting they had on Jan. 12, the treasurer's report, bank reconciliations, and to pay the bills. Walter reported that there would be no need for an election in April because all board members will be keeping their positions.

Water and Sewer Worker Russell Hayes reported that he was able to get the representative from SMI Company to make a bid on what it would cost to get the well house fixed. The bid, however, was considerably more than what the City can afford to pay at this time. The board approved of Hayes having the representative place a temporary fix bid on the project until they have more funds to get a permanent fix done.

The board approved of having a special meeting on Monday, Feb. 6, in order to go through their selection process, and get the Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) approval for the Request for Quotation (RFQ) selection date.

The board approved of having City Attorney Bill McCaffree look over and make any revisions on the revenue bond election information documents and legal notices on what their proposal is on the water and sewer before it is published in the newspaper.

Alderman Clint Swope reported that the City has a usable flatbed trailer and the City’s fire department could use it for their brush truck. He asked the board if they would approve of giving it to the fire department. The board approved it. The board approved to table the discussion on trying to get a front end brush hog to next month’s meeting.

The board thoroughly discussed the city’s residential ordinance — as to how all residences who reside in the city should keep their properties cleaned and picked up. After discussing the issue at great length, the board approved of having City Attorney McCaffree update the ordinances in order for the council to hold everyone who lives in the city accountable for keeping their yards neat and tidy. If a resident does not comply, they can have legal action brought against them.

Hayes reported that they are needing a load of rock where the culvert is under the well house. The board approved to get the load of rock. City Clerk Susan Thompson read a letter that the city had received from city residents about how they are in need of a new culvert and a load of rock from the city. The board approved to get the items for the residents.

Walter read a bid that they had received from one individual to power wash and paint the car wash and fix the concrete on the water heads. The board elected to table this discussion to next month’s board meeting.

Swope reported that the heaters that they purchased for the well house at the school is working great. He also advised the board that they have started a scrap pile at the city’s barn and wanted to know what the city wanted them to do with the pile. The board approved of treating it as surplus.

The board approved to hire City Water Meter Reader Victor Ellison as back up for Hayes, if he’s unable to do a job due to a conflict. The board will pay Ellison for the work he does.

Thompson advised the board that the board will have to start paying unemployment benefits to a city resident that has filed unemployment, and the board approved.

The board approved to adjourn the meeting, with next month’s meeting scheduled for Feb. 27.