The Walters City Council met on June 2, 2020 in the Walters City Hall. Those present were; Mayor Richard Anderson; Vice-Mayor David Mitchell, Councilmen Steve McCammon, Byrum W. Eidson and Bob Nance; City Manager Shawn Strange; City Clerk Sheri Davis; and City Attorney Hyman Copeland.
David Mitchell opened the meeting with prayer.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Visitors present were Justin Calkins, Jackie Calkins, Kim & Gary Collier, Mark Daugherty and Jennifer Collier, Accounts Payable Clerk Karla Eschiti, County Commissioner Mike Woods, Jeff Ash and Mike Gaver with Waste Connections, Ben Lehew and Clay Adams with Walters Police Department, Street Superintendent Bruce Finney and Code Enforcement Officer Candy Simms.
A motion was made and approved to approve the Audit contract with Angel, Johnston & Blasingame for Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2020.
A motion was made and approved to approve Resolution 846, a resolution adopting the Budget for the City of Walters for Fiscal Year 2020/2021.
A motion was made and approved to approve Ordinance #569 an ordinance to remove the $1 charge per month on all water meters effective June 15, 2020 billing. A motion was made and approved to declare an emergency.
A motion was made and approved to approve Ordinance #570 an ordinance to add $1 charge to all water meters effective June 15, 2020 billing for the purchase of equipment for emergency services. A motion was made and approved to declare an emergency.
A motion was made and approved to approve the Cooperation Agreement between Cotton County and the City of Walters for the purpose of implementation of general maintenance, repairs, upkeep and new or ongoing construction projects for the Fiscal year.
Justin Calkins requested in writing a request of appeal for the denial of being able to bring in a mobile home into Walters. The lot where they want to place the mobile home has been rezoned from R1 residential to R2 with the stipulation that if the trailer is moved out it reverts back. The Calkin’s were aware that the home has to meet certain guidelines before it could be moved in. Pictures were taken before and after work had been done to the home. Going by the Ordinance in place Code Enforcement could not approve the home to be brought into town due to signs of deterioration. During the meeting Mayor Anderson stated that we have to go by what the current ordinance states about the condition of the home and the repairs are to be done before it can be brought into town. He understands the situation but we would be setting precedence if we allow time to fix the problem after it is moved in. The request for appeal was not approved, but council did state if the repairs were done and Code Enforcement was happy with it, the home can be moved into town.
A motion was made and approved to approve Resolution 847, a resolution to approve charging 50% of what the state charges for an annual permit/licensing fee for every Medical Marijuana business.
City Manager stated we have been made aware that some citizens are going to have a candle light service at the Gazebo June 4th, this is not against any laws or ordinances as long as it stays peaceful. He also stated that we have lost our ambulance, but it is in the works to get another one here and he would like to let them be housed in the apartment above the Library. The Commissioners are going to apply for a CDBG grant to help offset the expenses. Also, under city managers report Shawn had Code Enforcement officer Candy Simms speak about some fines that need to be clarified and would like input from council. She stated that back in 2003 the city adopted the International Building Code and we have ordinances in place but the penalties are somewhat vague, it states we can charge up to $500, but we do not have a schedule of fines set for certain violations pertaining to code enforcement.
City Manager stated he had no new business at this time.