By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Yale City Council met in regular session on April 2. Prior to the regular meeting, a public hearing was held at 6:45 p.m. on the city’s proposed property tax levy. No citizens voiced any concerns or questions, so the public hearing was closed.
During the regular meeting, the council approved the proposed tax levy. Council members also discussed a proposal from Guthrie County Deputy Sheriff Blake Michelsen to provide four hours of law enforcement coverage per week to deal with violations of the city’s “nuisance” ordinance.
Mayor Beverly Louk shared a suggestion that violations of the nuisance ordinance include a $25 fee for first offense, $50 for second offense, and $100 for third and subsequent offenses.
Regarding the proposal from Michelsen, councilmember Tim Walker said the cost would be excessive.
“Basically, it would cost us almost $7,000 a year to hire him, so it’s definitely not a money saver,” said Walker.
The consensus of the council was that the city didn’t need four hours a week for this type of coverage, but that about one hour per week would be more realistic. The issue was tabled.
Mayor Louk voiced a reminder to residents that citywide cleanup is set for June 2, and that this is the best (and free) option for citizens to get rid of junk that otherwise may be identified as violations of the nuisance ordinance.
Council member Clint Deardorff said that in the past 10 years, he has seen continuing problems with some properties that are frequently in violation of the ordinance, and he supports the idea of increasing enforcement.
“I don’t see any improvements…it’s only gotten worse,” said Deardorff.
The council also discussed a citizen who is keeping chickens within city limits. The council voted unanimously to grant an extension of until April 15 for the property owner to decrease the number of chickens to no more than four and to keep the chickens contained at all times.
A public hearing will be held on Monday, April 22 at 7 p.m. to discuss and potentially adopt the city’s 2024-2025 budget. The public is welcome at all public meetings other than occasional special closed sessions as allowed by law.