Sunday, January 22, 2006

City discusses parking in alleys

Sunday, January 22, 2006 - Posted 6:01:30 PM

The Minonk City Council grappled with ordinances intended to prevent parking in the alleys between 5th and 6th street and 4th and 5th street 1/2 block west of Chestnut.  At issue is a warning ticket given to Dr. Naik who has been parking in the alley next to his dentist office on 5th street for the last 28 years.  An ordinance has been in effect during that time and specifies no parking on the east side of the south 100 feet of the alley west of 5th street although there is a 2 hour parking limit across the alley on the west side.  However, the ordinance has seldom been enforced.

Fern Shlueter, representing Dr. Niak, said that cars are parked next to Dr. Naik's buildings at all hours of the day.  She indicated if the parking ban is to be enforced, it should be enforced 24 hours a day and not just between business hours of  8:00 am to 5:00 pm. when Dr. Naik parks there. 

Council members also expressed concerns about the south 100 feet from the intersection on the Dynamic Body Works shop side because of the steps on the west side of their building.   When a car parks along the steps it extends out into the alley.  The Council was in agreement to mark what the present ordinance indicates as to No Parking on the Dynamic Body Works side.

City Administrator Trent Smith suggested that the council revise the ordinance to allow parking on the east side of the alley.  However, alderman Jason Buchanan said that the area is congested and was concerned about emergency vehicles being able to get down the alley with the car parking problems.

Rodney Ruestman said that he was aware of the situation that has been discussed and the warning ticket that was issued.  He asked the mayor if you are faulting one officer who is doing his job and not those that do not do their job. Second, when that warning ticket was issued that day, two days later Ruestman said he personally witnessed Dr. Naik parking there again. According to Ruestman, "People are forgetting that there is a lot of traffic that comes from businesses in that alley plus the semi-trucks that deliver to the stores. The large trucks have to get into and out of the alley."

Mayor Koos said that Rodney brought up a good point as far as the semi-trucks having to turn and the safety issue.  He said he did not fault anyone for writing an ordinance violation.  So the issue is not whether the old ordinance was written.  There is a sign there and our officers are starting to enforce the ordinances.

Koos said that the issue is, "does that sign now apply to that specific area any longer.  If it does, then we need to continue on with the ordinance.  If it does not, that is what tonight’s discussion is about.  Does the ordinance still apply today as when it was passed?  Do the needs of the community still need to be served with us keeping that sign?  Or will the needs of the community be better served if we take the sign down.  That is the issue.  Our police department will enforce the ordinance as written."

Fern Schlueter asked if the ordinance applied to the 2-Hour Parking on the west side of the alley or is that going to be different.  Mayor Koos said no, there is a 2-Hour Parking sign.  If the ordinances are there, they will be enforced.  Mayor Koos instructed Trent Smith to get new signs so that they are readable.

Approves $50,000 transfer to Fast Break loan

Mayor Koos said that the total debt of the loan to Fast Break located at the Shell Truck Stop is $160,000.  Mayor Koos wanted to amend the budget so that a motion is needed to make this transfer and payment and secondly it needs to be approved by the Council.

Alderman Fortner moved that the City Council amend the budget by approving a $50,000 transfer to the Fast Break Loan from the General Fund, seconded by Alderman Mattox.

Nuisance Ordinance

Mayor Koos said that there were some ordinance violations that were written for couches and things of that nature being stored on front porches and general nuisance violations.  Ordinance violations were written and the violators contacted our waste hauler and were informed they  would not haul it.  However, Koos said that Tomlinson must be given  advance notice that they need to have their items removed and it is the violator's responsibility to pay the additional charge.  Tomlinson will not pick up the item if the violators merely set  the items out on the curb without being notified.  Whoever gets a nuisance violation, it is their responsibility to contact Tomlinson for pickup and payment.

Public Safety Committee revised

Mayor Koos said that tonight will be the last meeting where the entire Council will be the Public Safety Committee.  The mayor appointed a Public Safety Committee comprised of Aldermen Fortner, Mattox, and Petersen with Alderman Larry Fortner serving as chairman.  This will be a subcommittee of the entire Council.  The subcommittee will not be able to take action, but will be able to listen to arguments, debates, and make recommendations. The mayor said that we need to streamline some of the matters that are coming before the Council on public safety and need to get interviews done quicker and also need to do some screening when it comes to ordinances.  These complaints can be processed a lot quicker and it is easier to get a committee together than the entire City Council according to Koos.

Other business

Mayor Koos announced that Justin Gale has resigned as a full-time police officer.

Alderman Jason Buchanan reported that he would like to have a meeting with the racetrack developers every month or every other month to get updates on their progress. He said that he will try to set up another meeting at the beginning of March and will announce it in February.

City resident Larry Hill asked what the city is doing about the dogs that are running loose in town.

City Administrator Trent Smith said that the City does not go out and catch them running loose generally unless there is a complaint.  The city does not go and patrol looking for dogs that are running loose.  If there is one caught either by a resident or public works, it is put in the city kennel.  If the dog has tags the owner is contacted, otherwise it is picked up by an animal control officer.  If the dog has a tag and if it is the first time it is basically a warning to the owner.  If it is a repeat offense, then the owner can be charged and fined.

Mayor Koos reported that the City has received a used military pick-up truck for emergency services and it will be repainted white and will be under the direction of the police department.