If the discussions at the table were any indication at last week’s monthly meeting, the Union Board of Aldermen appear ready to take stronger, more decisive action to get owners to keep their property clean.
One of the items on Tuesday’s agenda was a hearing on unkempt property at 105 Union St. The hearing, which has been on the docket and continued for the past two months, named Cynthia Stuart, the owner of record, and Ruth Maiden to task for the appearance and condition of the lot and house.
Alderman Rex Germany saw no resolution to the issue.
“I have visited the property, talked to the owner and there doesn’t seem to be any way that it’s going to get cleaned.
“I think this is an injustice to the adjoining homes and to the city, too. I’m ready to take it further,” said Germany.
Germany and Mayor Wayne Welch detailed the problems with the property and instructed City Attorney Doug Smith to begin researching how soon Union could begin condemnation proceedings on the issue and move toward cleaning it up once and for all.
“I don’t think we can do anything else but go the limit,” said Germany.
Germany then moved the Board’s attention to a similar hearing and problem at 414 South Decatur St.
He said the city has had no success with a series of public hearing designed to push landlords and residents into cleaning up.
“It’s just not right and it’s not fair to their neighbors for us to allow this. It’s time to take stronger, more forceful action,” he said.
He said that he was hopeful that the city attorney could come up quickly with the legal means and procedures that would give the city the means to put these properties right with the rest of the community.
In other business, the aldermen:
• Learned that Union’s new fire truck would be delivered within the week. The city is paying $70,000 from its General Fund and the balance ($187,386) of the $256,386 purchase price .
The Board also voted to raise the minimum age for drivers of all Volunteer Fire Department equipment to be at least 25 years old.
• In an effort to conform to Mississippi’s complicated reporting regulations, the Aldermen voted their intent to include a 1 mill tax increase in the 2020 fiscal budget which they will adopt in September.
The city will advertise this intent; but, it will not come to pass unless the Board agrees, by a majority vote, to include when they make a final decision.
City taxes went from 34 to 35 mills in las† year's budget.
• Adopted a dangerous dog ordinance that had been on the table over the past two months.
The new ordinance would allow the representatives of the City to enter the premises for the purpose of inspection and allows for the impoundment of any dog not properly cared for or restrained for threatening the public.
If adopted, the ordinance would impose a $100 impoundment charge and a $25.00 per day fee for time in holding.
• Appropriated a $10,000 payment to the Kemper-Newton Regional Library system.
• Rehired Billy Pierce of Forest to conduct the annual audit of the City’s financial affairs.
