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Sheldon weighs city ordinances
Discussion at the city of Sheldon monthly meeting Thursday evening centered around two ordinances, one governing trailer homes and the other the city’s nuisance ordinance.
“I thought it was pretty strict,” Mayor Robert Sewell said. “The ordinance on the trailers.”
Sewell said penalties which may be applied even to existing trailer homes not meeting city ordinance can be up to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail.
Alderwomen Louis Levaugh said she would like to see pictures of a trailer home before it is moved into the city.
Sewell said that could be a required part of the permit process.
Moving on, Levaugh referred to section seven of the ordinance which reads that RVs may be parked inside the city, but not lived-in inside the city.
“There is a particular party that has purchased land here, cleaned it up, cleared it off and poured a pad thinking they were going to bring their travel trailer in,” Levaugh said. “I told them they better come talk to somebody because according to this they can’t do it. It’s a nicer trailer than any of the mobile homes in town.”
Levaugh said the party planned to live in Sheldon when not traveling.
Sewell said the property owner would need to discuss their plans with the board of aldermen.
“Really, it sounds like, to me, it’s on approval of the council,” Sewell said. “I don’t think it’s something that’s going to be a big issue ...”
Discussion turned to the nuisance ordinance.
“I see two things,” Alderman Perry Fowler said. “Other than that it’s a good document.”
Fowler said that under a provision about standing pools of water, swimming pools are exempted.
“I would say that needs to be reworded that they have to be maintained swimming pools,” Fowler said. “If they are not maintained, they are a cesspool.”
Fowler’s second point regarded unlicensed vehicles which are covered under a different section of the ordinance.
According to the ordinance, a vehicle becomes a nuisance after 30 days.
The board further discussed enforcement of city ordinances.
“These ordinances are no good without enforcement,” Fowler said.
Sewell said that in the past, contractors have been used to clean up property not in compliance with city ordinance and if the property owner failed to pay the bill, then a lien was placed on property owners taxes.
“When years go by and there is nothing enforced as it should have been … more and more and more … people that move to our community don’t really care what their place looks like,” Sewell said. “I know people that are tight on money and stuff and a lot of times you see the same ones buying lottery tickets and cigarettes and beer.”
Sewell said one of his objectives in becoming mayor was to get the town cleaned up.
A plaque was presented to former alderman and interim mayor Robert Moran by Sewell for his 10 years of service on the board of aldermen.
“Ten years of service...is a long time for civic duty,” Sewell said. “It’s extremely appreciated. You did a wonderful job. It’s not just from here but other things you do for the community Mr. Moran. You might not know it all the times but people do appreciate it, especially me.”
“Thank you,” Moran said. “I appreciate it.”
A round of applause followed.
• Sewell said he would like to see Main Street cleaned up including repaving the street from First Street to the railroad tracks.
The city currently has $112,000 in the street account and a bid on the project was $67,000 for a two-inch thick overlay. The city is waiting on additional bids to be returned.
“I was surprised it was not more than that,” Sewell said.
Sewell asked the council for their opinions.
“It’s something I would really like to see get done,” Sewell said, adding that local business owners he had spoken with agreed.
“I’m in favor of it,” Fowler said, explaining the bid was half of what he thought it would be.
The board took no action on the issue.
• Marlene Moran of the library board reported the summer reading program is ready for kids to pick up.
• Becky Morgan said the TRIM grant application has been submitted.
• Sewell requested the city pursue additional quotes for insurance providers.