GENTRY — An ordinance which could make it possible for property owners within the city to burn down unsafe and dilapidated structures passed on its first reading at Monday’s city council meeting.
If passed on three readings, the proposed ordinance will allow the burning of structures within the corporate city limits after meeting the following requirements:
◊An application to the fire chief, including a $25 application fee, for an inspection to determine if the structure qualifies as a building to be burned and it would be safe to do so;
◊Proper certification, at the applicant’s expense, that the building is free of asbestos and other hazardous materials; and
◊A burn permit issued by the fire chief - including a fee of $250 to cover costs of having the fire department standby during the fire.
The proposed ordinance also requires notification of the fire no less than three days in advance and full cleanup of the burn site within 30 days after the fire.
Should the fire department have to actively suppress a firecaused by the permitted fire, additional charges at standard time and equipment rates will be charged to the property owner.
A final provision sets a maximum fine of $1,500 for burning in violation of the provisions of the ordinance.
The ordinance will come back to the council for its second reading on May 3.
Also passed, but on three readings with a single vote and with an emergency clause, was an ordinance granting a tract split for Clay Stewart of Lot 11-a - on Allen Avenue - of A.M. Tuttle’s Addition to the city of Gentry.
The council also voted to extend the contract for lawnmowing services with Lemke Lawns, with the addition of mowing at the Cherokee City Fire Station and at the Flint Cemetery, for $40 and $175 per mowing, respectively. Other mowing prices remained unchanged from last year.
The original contract allowed for renewals for a total period of five years if both sides agree. The current contract extension is for 2010. Should the council choose to do so, it could also extend the contract into 2011. After that,the job must again be put out to bid.
Gentry Mayor Wes Hogue reported that the city had obtained a deed to the Flint Cemetery and was therefore including mowing in the contract. The additional mowing costs were already included in the 2010 budget. A second deed to cemetery property was yet being sought, Hogue said.
News, Pages 1 on 04/07/2010