Anderson's city council voted Tuesday to instate two new ordinances, one regarding peddlers and solicitors and another regarding yard sales.
Ordinance 032018A identifies peddlers as persons -- mobile or stationary -- offering goods in town without a permanent place of business, outlines restrictions on the use of streets and requires peddlers and solicitors to exhibit a card identifying themselves and their permit.
Ordinance 032018B defines a yard sale as a casual sale of personal property that normally accumulates in a dwelling, requires a permit be obtained from the city clerk, limits the number of sales allowed per year and the duration of the sale.
Permits must include the name of the person holding the sale, location, owner of the property, date and duration of the sale and whether there have been more than three sales at the location within the calendar year.
Persons are not allowed to hold more than three sales per year.
Sales can be held for a maximum of three consecutive days. Items can be placed outside 24 hours prior to the sale and must be removed 24 hours following the sale. All signs advertising the sale must also be removed within 24 hours of the sale's end.
Departmental Reports
Police Chief Seth Daniels informed council members the new patrol vehicle is scheduled to arrive mid-April.
Daniels inquired about gym memberships for the city's six full-time officers. He testified that, since joining, his aches and pains have subsided. Memberships at Alpha Company Gym would cost about $1,000 annually.
The council voted to approve the purchase of memberships for the department.
Daniels also addressed the crowded space at the police department.
"We are in desperate need of more room at the PD," Daniels said. "With six officers, office supplies, automotive tools, and cleaning equipment, among other things, we're crowded."
He suggested a storage shed, approximately 12 feet by 14 feet, somewhere easily accessible on the property. He estimated a solid, wooden shed would cost close to $2,000. It would also need to be elevated to avoid water accumulation.
Alderman Gene Cantrell suggested renting a storage unit at the facility to the north of the police department.
The council voted to authorize storage rental until a more permanent solution is chosen.
Fire Chief Shelby Turner reported the heat/air unit at the fire department has ceased to function. The unit needs to be replaced and raised to avoid water run-off.
Mayor John Sellers asked for price estimates at the next meeting.
Public Works Director Ben Shoemaker reported replacing and shutting off old lines around town.
Mayor Sellers took a moment to address a question that was recently posed to him -- "Why doesn't the city do sewer taps on new installs?"
Sellers explained, historically, the city has seen the taps as a liability issue. Sewer taps have been tapped by the building's plumber, then inspected by the city to ensure accuracy.
"When a new business comes to town, we need to help them," said Alderman Cantrell. "They're trying to bring revenue into the city."
Sellers said he has no objection to changing the policy but was explaining the procedure currently in place. He suggested modifications to the policy, "to give incentive to new connects in town."
The council decided to table the matter until more research can be conducted.
Alderman Chris Cable noted the city is currently renting a mini-excavator for $2,000 monthly. He suggested selling the oldest of the city's two backhoes and the red Dodge with a plow to fund a down payment on the purchase of a mini-excavator.
Council members reviewed engineer estimates for the cost of paving-problem roads in town. The total cost of repairing Sellers Road, which was damaged during flooding, and Park Street is estimated between $50,000 to $65,000.
The council voted to solicit bids for the two projects. It was decided to delay repairs on Main Street until water lines underneath can be replaced.
Mike Schlessman, director of the summer ball program, reported 256 kids signed up for the season, which formed 25 teams. He said the number is up about 25 players from last year -- some of which transferred from Noel. Noel's ball field was destroyed during flooding, so no teams are being formed there.
Schlessman spoke about gravel wash-out at the field and asked about diverting water flow in the future.
In other business:
• The council voted to pay $2,500 towards the city's Arvest line of credit.
• Ken Schutten, director of the Anderson Betterment Club, addressed the council and invited members to attend a Trail Planning Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, at Old 71 Community Building in order to give input about potential trails around town. He noted the process costs the city nothing and benefits the area greatly.
General News on 03/22/2018