By JILLIAN STAMBAUGH

Ordinance violations pertaining to junk vehicles within city limits and grass growing taller than eight inches sparked discussion among the Colchester City Council at its meeting Monday, June 1.

Mayor Danny Bice brought the violations to the attention of aldermen, saying he's created a list of properties throughout town he's noticed are in violation.

"These properties have ordinance violations because of weeds and junk vehicles with no license plates - violations that should be issued tickets," said Bice.

Police committee chair and Alderman Frances Welch said the police department has appointed one officer to take charge of handing out tickets for violations. The officer has also given warnings that have been followed - only for the same properties to fall into violation weeks later.

"I have no problem giving them (property owners) time to mow their yard," said Bice. "If it's not done though, then we should be giving them a ticket...we're not going to be giving out warnings every three weeks to the same people."

Other alderman asked why the whole police force could not issue tickets if they saw ordinances being violated. Welch agreed, suggesting the council should consider having a meeting with the police department to discuss following through with ordinance violations.

"I'm not going to let this drop," said Bice.

In other business:

• The first reading of an ordinance amending water and sewer rates was held. The second reading was waived and the council adopted the ordinance. 

The ordinance now reads that water charges will be a $35 base rate minimum for the first 2,000 gallons, with over that amount $6 per 1,000 gallons for inside corporate limits individual and industrial users. 

Outside corporate limits the base rate is a $35 minimum for the first 2,000 gallons with an additional $10 charge for each 1,000 gallons afterwards.

The sewer rate inside corporate limits will be a $6.50 minimum charge for the first 1,000 gallons with a $6.50 charge for each additional 1,000 gallons.

• The council approved of LeRoy Kahlke re-laying the sidewalk in front of his home at 402 S. Charles St. Kahlke will supply the labor and the city will provide the sidewalk forms and concrete. The Council also presented Kahlke with a certificate of appreciation for cleaning and restoring his property over the last several years.

• The Council approved waiving a $97.99 water bill minus the minimum charge for the Colchester Library District. 

Mary Garland said she heard water running in the building and found that a toilet in an unused section of the library building had been running. 

Garland contacted the city and found that city employees had taken water samples from the building within the last month - most likely before the transfer of ownership to the library district. Garland asked the bill be waived because it was due to actions by city employees.

• The Council approved of purchasing tires for the police vehicle for $314.

• The Council approved of placing an advertisement in the Labor Day booklet costing up to $300.

• At the recommendation of the Building and Grounds committee, the Council approved the purchase of a sickle bar mower for $750. The committee also purchased a $299 yard sweeper and hitch.

• Bice told Council members he had sent a letter to Senator John Sullivan's office requesting help to repair the city's storm sewers. If the request is granted, Bice said it would have no impact on the applied-for stimulus project.

Bice also informed aldermen he had applied for the city to get assistance with repairing N. Coal Street as an overlay project. The information was received on May 29 and was due May 31. If the city did not receive help from the emergency road repair program (roughly $390,000), Bice said they could apply again in August. The Council also discussed borrowing a roller to help repair the street for the time being.

• Aldermen discussed putting a lien on properties throughout town that are up for auction and are in violation of the mowing ordinance. After discussing the issue, the council decided to talk with City Attorney Bruce Biagini before taking any action.

• City Clerk Donna Wetzel thanked three girls from the West Prairie school district for help pulling weeds for the city. Bice said several West Prairie football players needed volunteer work and the city is awaiting word from the district to see if the school's insurance will cover the students if they work for the city weed eating, cleaning street gutters, etc.

• After a 30-day wait, Bice submitted James Friday's name to fill the open alderman spot. The Council did not seem in agreement with the choice and decided to wait 30 more days, allowing Bice additional time to think of another person to fill the position.