The City of Peterson has officially approved an ordinance regulating public nuisances after months of deliberation. At the Wednesday, November 14 meeting the council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance with changes made by City Attorney Greg Schieber, of Nethercut Schieber Attorneys.
As noted last month, it includes clear definition of the term “vehicle” as trailers, boats, tractors, all-terrain vehicles, golf carts, and campers, but does not include snowmobiles, lawnmowers, or scooters.” Vehicles must be operable and registered to the property resident. Carports, hoop sheds, and large tents are not considered allowable buildings in which they may be kept. No more than six vehicles may be stored outside on a property.
Prohibition of parking in certain areas has been narrowed to include 11 specific bullet points, which include on grass and sidewalks. It also limits vehicle repair on street to only minor repairs, with removal of the vehicle within 24 hours. No vehicle can be left parked on a city street for more than 24 hours and law enforcement can ticket those which are.
Each non-compliant vehicle is a $50 citation the first time. There will be a grace period of 30 days after the first citation to resolve the issue or remove the vehicle. In no action is taken and the vehicle remains, the second per vehicle citation is $75. The grace period for the second and subsequent citations is just 15 days. Every subsequent citation will continue to increase $25 from the previous citation fine.
If there is no action on the citations, the city has several options. Law enforcement may be contacted to issue a criminal citation, the vehicles may be towed if on public property, and the city may still pursue legal action against the owner. The option to add abatement for removal of nuisance vehicles from private property may be added to the ordinance at a later date, if needed. Schieber noted doing so would require more steps and procedures.
“It’s a bridge we can cross if this is not effective,” noted City Clerk Chris Grindland. The city will post a summary of the ordinance in the paper, as well as continuing to include information about it in the city newsletter. The ordinance will be posted at city hall and the post office.
In other news, impressive last minute strides were made on past due utility bills, which are to be certified to the county November 20 for assessment with property taxes. The city has made changes to the policy in the last two years and it may be paying off.
Grindland noted there was $25,000 due in October, but the amount had reduced to just $16,174 in early November. One account of $9,651 past due was paid this month. This brings the total past due to just $6,523, representing eight past due accounts. This amount, along with a $50 administrative fee per account, will be certified to the county for the tax rolls.
The council has also unanimously approved the 2019 budget, including a 3% increase over the 2018 levy. The preliminary levy had been set at 8%. Any extra funds, beyond budgetary needs, generated by the increase will go into the Street Improvement Fund.
The council will continue to provide a $5 per home donation to the Food Shelf for all homes decorated in lights for the annual Christmas in Peterson festival. It was noted that approximately 60 homes decorate for the event.
Lastly, Bolton & Menk Engineer Derek Olinger was present at the meeting to discuss services that are available from the firm for infrastructure planning purposes. Olinger referenced discussions he’s had with Public Works Director Rick Lee and Clerk Grindland for the last 45 days regarding options for the city.
The firm does strictly municipal engineering work and believes it can assist the city with utility planning, development of a pavement management plan, and city mapping, among other things. Specifically, Olinger hit at sanitary inflow and infiltration issues, pavement and utility conditions in relation to capital improvement plans, and the benefits of partnering with an engineering firm.
“We can be a resource for you; tap on our shoulder and ask questions,” said Olinger. “It’s not always that you have a specific project, but maybe just little cat and dog issues that you want to discuss. That’s where I see the value in it.” Per council request, Olinger will send a copy of service agreement for review.
The next regularly scheduled council meeting is Wednesday, December 12, at 6 p.m., at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
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