Posted: 11/13/02

Public nuisances are city topic

Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area Reporter

At the Nov. 4 meeting, Wyoming City Council passed a resolution to repeal the cityís existing ordinance related to nuisances and adopt a new ordinance addressing ìpublic nuisances.î

The purpose of the ordinance is to ìencourage a clean, healthy, and satisfying environment for its citizens, one free from nuisances, eyesores, unhealthy, or devaluating conditions.î

In broad categories, the 12-page document the ordinance addresses (1) public health and safety issues, (2) morals and decency, and (3) peace and safety. The third section is related to appropriate property maintenance, and includes directives about obstructions of roads, sidewalks, disposition of construction materials and cleanup, and noise.

At the councilís direction, City Attorney Tom Miller updated and expanded this section of the ordinance to include the condition of properties that devalue surrounding properties.

Enforcement consists of termination of the nuisance within a maximum of 30 days of written notification. Certain situations call for immediate action by police.

These include immediate threats to public health and safety, serious property damage, and nuisances caused by private parties on public property.

The cost recovery provision includes direct billing to the person(s) causing the nuisance, who must pay the city for cost of abatement, including the administrative costs. Failure to make payment would result in assessments against property to be collected along with taxes.

While focus of the revision relates to unkempt property, there was more discussion about a fair time interval to allow residents to clear sidewalks after a heavy snowstorm.

Most council members felt 24 hours was an adequate time to get these clear. The motion also approved the summary ordinance for publication.

Pawnshop rules

At the same meeting, after discussion and clarification by Miller, the council passed a resolution to adopt a pawnshop ordinance, to regulate pawnshops, secondhand stores, and junk dealers.

The same motion also adopted the summary ordinance for publication.

The ordinance defines the types of businesses, specifies the minimum age of the managers, addresses license requirements, specifies duration of license, and the type of records to be kept at the business address. The city is in a position to issue licenses to qualified applicants to enable them to ìengage in business as pawnbrokers, secondhand goods dealers, or junk dealers.î

According to Council Member Sandy Standridge, no one attended the public hearing.

City Administrator Dennis Coryell consulted with Police Chief Mike Temte to determine the average amount of time per week, officers respond to calls and investigations regarding transactions.

In the administratorís report, Coryell told council there is the possibility of losing more local government aid for this year. If this happens the city would need to find ways to make additional cuts of about $17,000 from the budget.

Council members learned building inspector Jack Kramer has resigned from his position with Chisago County but wishes to continue working as building inspector for the city.

He is negotiating with Taylors Falls to serve as its building inspector and zoning supervisor on. The city would continue to pay PERA and FICA. According to Coryell, Kramerís work and experience is valuable to the city.

Other business

In other business, council:

ïLearned the next park board meeting is set Tuesday, Nov. 26.

ïLearned the deadline for Charlie Vogel to cleanup his property has passed.

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