Election, not appointment, to fill open spot on council
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
The Mount Ayr city council voted unanimously Monday evening to hold a special election to fill out the term of Jordan Stewart, who resigned because he moved outside the city limits.
County Auditor Amanda Waske said a date for the election had not been set yet as of press time.
In order for someone to get on the ballot, they must get a packet from her office or city hall that includes a Affidavit of Candidacy and nomination papers. Typically, for an election like this, the potential candidate would need 10 signatures on their petition.
Whoever is elected in the special election would serve until the general election in November at which time the position would be on the ballot once again.
Waske said that a special election like this probably would cost between $500 and $1,000.
City council members had quickly moved toward having a special election for the position after Stewart’s announcement. They stated they wanted to avoid any perception of favoritism by the community if a person was appointed to the seat.
Other items:
• The council approved a bid of $35,500 from McGahuey Construction of Mount Ayr for work at Loch Ayr Lake.
The work will consist of fence and tree removal along with widening the road and replacing the culvert tube in the road.
• Discussed costs associated with the removal of dead or diseased trees in the city.
Lincoln’s Lawn Care of Lenox made a proposal to the city for a three-year agreement for a minimum of $14,000 per year to work on the tree situation in the city.
City Manager Brent Wise said they would have an official proposal for the council to consider at their next meeting.
• Approved 4% pay increases for city employees.
• Held a lengthy discussion on nuisance properties in the city.
Deputy Chad Hunt of the Ringgold County Sheriff’s Department was on hand to tell the council that many of their service calls are to a few addresses. He said some cities have habitual calls to the same address considered a nuisance for enforcement.
He would like to see that provision added to any new nuisance ordinance enacted by the city.
“City Manager Wise said the city needs “a stream-lined path to handle nuisances while being consistent with the help of law enforcement.”
Wise said he would put something together for the council to consider at their next meeting.
Wise said their are approximately 30 possible properties that could be considered nuisances that need to be addressed by the new enforcement officer.
• Heard a proposal for the Mount Ayr Golf and Country Club to use water from the waste water plant for irrigation purposes. If the club used more that 25,000 gallons per day they would need to go through DNR’s permitting process. More research is needed on the proposal.
No action was taken.
• Heard an update on the South Taylor Street Storm Water Project.
• Approved a renewal application for an alcohol license from Lefty’s Club Tavern and a renewal for a Cigarette/Tobacco/Nicotine/Vapor License for Casey’s in Mount Ayr.
