May 13

Written by: ngreditor
5/13/2008 7:21 PM 

City Council discusses property care, economic development

Kenneth Purscell

The City Council wrestled at its May 8 meeting with a number of options for bringing property owners into compliance with health and safety regulations.

The number of properties in need of repairs and cleaning has grown. “We need to stop talking and act on these,” said Council member Milan Sawyer. “It’s getting so I hate to drive around town anymore.”

Enforcing current regulations takes time because in each case action would be required from a health committee including Council members, an attorney and a physician. The result is of- ten just a warning to the owner, a warning that seems to have little enforcement power.

Mayor David Johnson reported that Newman Grove could enter an inter-local agreement with Norfolk. “Their building inspector could come out on individual cases, and the cost would be $35 per hour plus mileage.” Newman Grove would also have to adopt the property maintenance codes approved by Norfolk in 2006.

While members agreed that a single outside inspector would be more efficient than a committee, inspection was only a first step. “We need to give a firm time limit,” said member Tom Bagley, “and if they don’t take action, we need to send in a crew and then charge the owner.”

“The problem there is getting people to pay,” said Mayor Johnson. “We can put a lien on the property,” said Sawyer, “but people will ignore that for ten years. You can buy and sell property with a lien on it and never have it paid.”

Police Chief Todd Jennings recommended “We can give 60 days, be uniform in enforcement, and be prepared to go to court.” Council member Tim Strong agreed, “If you have to keep paying legal fees, it can have a snowball effect.”

The Council will continue to consider the matter.

The Council also heard from Karen Linnenbrink, program director for Elkhorn Valley Economic Development Council. The Council offers more than just community organization. “I work with small businesses,” Linnenbrink said, “and I can help with business plans, cash flows and projecting sales.

“After looking at the business credit report, I can guide entrepreneurs to banks or other sources of funding, and can even provide assistance with marketing,” she said.

There are a couple of local projects in the works.

One major change is the new legislation that passed the Unicameral this spring. “Newman Grove no longer has to be tied to Tier II projects because Norfolk is also in this county,” Linnenbrink reported. “Newman Grove can now be treated as a rural, Tier I area, which means that we can work with smaller projects more appropriate to this small town.”

The Council also approved on first reading an ordinance charging for new water service. The Council approved a special liquor license for the Southside Bar for the street dance during Shell Creek Valley Days. Further information was offered about possibly recycling in the future.

No action was presented about the Senior Center.