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Ordinances address permits for building and solicitation, allow public comment  Share
Ordinances requiring permits for building, solicitation and allowing public comment during council meetings were approved at the Wednesday, Sept. 9 meeting of the Casey City Council. Building permits must now be issued for anyone constructing, enlarging, altering, removing or demolishing any permanent building or structure, including fencing. Applications, which include plans and specifications, must be filed with the city clerk, along with a $20 fee. No permit will be issued until an inspection by a city official deems the project to be safe, within property lines and in compliance with building code. Violators may be fined up to $100 per day. Additionally, the council approved a modification of the fire limit section of the building code. A solicitors and peddlers permit will regulate commercial activity by requiring a permit mandated by a ''very restrictive'' ordinance drafted by City Attorney Sarah Holsapple-Miller. The solicitors' permit requires a $1,000 deposit, plus an extensive account of personal information, including fingerprinting for criminal background checks. The ordinance was driven by the current administration's wishes to protect citizens from out-of-town solicitors who may sell shabby workmanship or inferior products with no accountability due to their transient status. It will not prohibit local fundraising efforts by local groups or residents under the age of 18.
The council also approved an ordinance allowing and regulating public comments at city council meetings, a practice that had been disallowed by previous administrations. A signup sheet will be available prior to each meeting, during which a 15-minute section for public comment will be allotted just after roll call. Each individual will be limited to three minutes of public discourse, with an extension possible with mayoral approval. Public comment is allowed on any subject matter pertaining to city business and is not restricted to matters on the agenda. Mayor Scott Elkins said, as leaders of the community, it was important to keep the lines of communication open. ''When you shut that door to complaints,'' he said. ''At some point in time people become apathetic. We should be willing to listen.'' Elkins said several communities offer this public forum. Council member Donna Tutewiler agreed that the public needs this outlet and that council members need to listen. Rules will be posted regarding conduct expectations. It will still be an option for citizens to ask to be put on the agenda. An ordinance for non-highway vehicles, such as golf carts and gators, was tabled for further discussion. The ordinance committee is attempting to draft an ordinance that will be cross-compliant with a new state statute. All ordinances are on file in the office of City Clerk Robin McClellan. Tutewiler reported Casey VFW Post 5762 Commander Jerry Snearley has requested permission to offer a beer tent in Fairview Park for the Oct. 24 Harvest Festival, as well as the 2010 Popcorn Festival. ''They (VFW) asked it be brought before the council,'' she said. ''The members approved the proposal and would like to meet with the committee.'' The VFW proposes to use the Lions Shelter and employ off-duty officers, as well as members of the Emergency Management Agency. The area would be fenced, a beer wagon transported on-site, VFW bartenders would serve, and beer tickets would be issued by off-duty police officers. The VFW is seeking additional methods of fundraising to help pay for their new building on South Central. Mayor Elkins said the request should start with the liquor commissioner, an office he holds as mayor. Howard Loftis, facilitator of Casey In Action, gave his report, highlighted with news that CIA is researching organization of a neighborhood watch program and is now covered with general liability insurance, courtesy of Casey Rotary and Rotary International. (See related story.) In other matters, the council -Set Trick or Treat Night for 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31 for children age 12 and under. Participants are asked to only visit those homes with porch lights on. A portion of Main Street will be closed at this time for safety reasons. -Heard from Utilities Superintendent Shelby Biggs a thank you to city employees who worked four-hour shifts to keep the Popcorn Festival grounds free from trash and that he received many good comments on the new water lines and raised road by the dump station in the park campground. -Heard from Biggs, sidewalk replacement work started Sept. 8, that cracks are filled at the tennis courts, making the surface ready for the skateboard park equipment, with a completion goal of two to three weeks. -Heard from Biggs that playground work is complete, that the pool is emptied and that Burbach Aquatics is scheduled for the following week for a preliminary inspection. -Heard from Biggs he has been certified as a landfill operator, an Environmental Protection Agency staffing requirement for Class A landfills. -Heard from City Treasurer Gail Lorton that camp fees from July, but mostly from the Popcorn Festival totaled a little over $6,000, of which about $4,500 was received from local residents. oHeard from Police Chief Jenkins that two juveniles were charged with 21 vehicular burglaries that occurred in August. -Heard from Park Director Debbie Hutton a congratulations to the Popcorn Festival Committee for a great job. She received lots of positive feedback. She also thanked R&K Disposal for providing the dumpsters and pickup all three days at no charge. Hutton, who is also the assistant city collector, added that R&K owner, Rob Kessler calls as often as three times per week to check on service complaints. -Heard from Hutton she met with the chamber to start planning Christmas in the Park and plans to meet with other community organizations soon. The event will kick off the Saturday following Thanksgiving. -Heard a thank you from Emergency Management Agency Director Don Brewer to 12 volunteers providing 340 man hours (including Brewer) during the Popcorn Festival: Amber Elbert, Charlie Budd, David Craig, Fred Murphy, Ian Budd, Jake Beasley, Jerry Beasley, Jesse Dennis, John Jackson, Lindsay Montgomery and Tyler Ball. -Heard from Alderman Dave Sauer the city will likely provide free dumpsters and the utility building to coincide with the CIA's second appliance pickup. -Heard from Alderman Dave Coleman the city should start enforcing the time limits for trash and recycling receptacles to be placed at the street. -Heard Alderman Ron Maulding thank everyone involved with the Popcorn Festival. -Heard Sauer question the completion of the recent land purchase and the status of the utility study and TGM power project. -Heard from Tutewiler that it is imperative to get the youth involved in city government. She plans to contact the schools and set up an advisory board, hoping to evolve into a monthly update from the city's youth. -Heard Alderman Moe Wimbley thank employees and officials for their work on the Popcorn Festival. Wimbley also voiced a concern with the Casey In Action Animal Shelter's adoption program possibly conflicting with fees associated with dog impoundment. -Heard Wimbley thank the city attorney for recent work on property cleanups and to Chief Jenkins for serving the abatements. -Heard Wimbley report the city hall improvement bids will be received Sept. 15. -Set a city hall committee meeting for 6 p.m. Sept. 17. -Heard from Mayor Elkins the customer appreciation day had a great turnout with approximately 800 residents in attendance. ''It was an excellent idea,'' he said of City Collector Randi Parr's suggestion. He thanked all city employees for pitching in for a ''very successful'' event and said the city will try to make it an annual one. -Heard Elkins also compliment the Popcorn Festival and thank all city employees for helping out, especially noting the presence of Chief Mark Jenkins and his officers and CMA Director Don Brewer and his volunteers. ''I was proud to be a part of the community, a council member and mayor,'' he added. Marcy Shonk is a staff reporter for the Casey Reporter.
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