Tuesday night’s City Council meeting looked different from the previous meetings with the removal of socially distanced seating. Previously, socially distanced seating included blocking off every other row and blocking off two seats in between available seating to ensure six feet of space.
City Manager Megan Crouch remarked that the plexiglass dividers that separated City staff will be removed by the next meeting, as well.
According to Crouch, the change is because City Council takes place in a public facility and the City cannot legally require people to socially distance and wear masks. “Masks are required” signs are posted outside of the chambers, but it can be noted that many of the council members do not wear masks during the meetings except for Council members Steven Dixon and Bob Parsons.
Ward 8 Council member Tommy Dawson denied unanimous consent for an ordinance that would increase towing fees from $100 to a maximum of $150 and wheel lock fees from $50 to $75.
This particular towing fee applies to nonconsensual towing from private property which differs from separate towing fee structures.
“The towing that the City would do if you were illegally parked on a sidewalk is in a different category and that falls in a different fee structure. It would be a lower fee,” Crouch said.
Crouch said this increase was at the request of one towing company. The increase in the fee limits align with a three percent annual increase based on the cost of living and inflation and is similar to other cities’ fee structures.
Dawson said he denied unanimous consent because he would like more time to hear from the public and how they feel about the ordinance. The ordinance will be postponed until the next City Council meeting.
The meeting ended with a complaint from Jimmy Glenn, a resident who said he was upset with the City and its attorney’s handling of an issue regarding City drainpipes that were causing flooding and subsequent damage to Glenn’s property.
“I’m sort of disappointed in the way your legal representatives have misled and misdirected me into trying to address the problems that I’m having,” Glenn said.
Glenn said he had a vehicle parked on the street due to this flooding and was being asked to move it after a complaint was made about the vehicle. Glenn asked the Council if he could know who submitted the complaint and Crouch said that Glenn had been informed that he needed to submit a public records request to receive that information.
Crouch said the vehicle has been in violation for over a year and have followed up. If the vehicle is not moved by next week it will be towed.
The situation surrounding the removal of the drainpipes is under litigation and Crouch explained that they cannot discuss information surrounding the litigation and that the vehicle issue was separate from the litigation.
Glenn attempted to object from his seat in the audience that the vehicle was not separate from the drainpipe litigation. Mayor Ron Anders stated that Glenn was out of order, but Glenn continued to object while the Council was discussing and Anders then asked Glenn not to speak out again.
The City Council has guidelines for Citizen’s Communications to ensure a productive and orderly public meeting. This includes addressing the Council in a “professional, respectful, and civil tone”; addressing the Council from the podium and that Citizen’s Communications are an opportunity to present concerns but are not a forum for debate.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
