City Council approves two-hour parking ordinance for downtown perimeter

Kennett City Counselor Terry McVey, right, explains the city's options with enforcing an ordinance establishing two hour parking around the perimeter of the downtown square. Also pictured, from left, Alderman Larry McDowell, Alderman James "Jingo" Cole, and Alderman Bill Branum. Staff photo by Joshua Payne

The ordinance establishes a two-hour limit on parking from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Alderman Tracy Smith noted that he believed that the ordinance would not be enforced properly due to the lack of man power.

"I don't see the big deal, I think this is useless," Smith said.

"I think that once it gets in place and gets started that the problem will cease," Alderman Larry McDowell said.

Smith noted that the council should just advertise and request it from the citizens instead of making another ordinance.

Alderman Jingo Cole asked a fine would be involved with the new ordinance, to which City Counselor Terry McVey replied that the fine would be the same as any other ordinance violation which is up to $500.

Alderman Mark Ellis explained that the officers could take a digital picture from all four sides of the square in order to enforce the two-hour parking.

Police Chief Barry Tate noted that the ordinance would be very difficult to enforce.

"I think it will be pretty obvious if the car is parked in a spot all day," Tate said. "I can almost name one license plate number off of the top of my head."

Alderman Diane Risner noted that the city should do something to show that the council was in support of downtown business.

Alderman Jake Crafton explained that most people have a "front door mentality." He added that the people needed to see the front door of the business from their parking spot.

Tate noted that the department had enough digital cameras to take photos of the vehicles. He added that one or two officers would be appointed to handle the project.

The ordinance passed with Cole and Smith voting against the proposition.

Another ordinance, passed by the council on Tuesday, established requirements and criteria for the application and issuance of permits for parades, marches, and rallies in the City of Kennett.

"Our parade permit ordinance, as is, is not adequate," McVey said. "I believe this gives the chief some criteria to go by."

He added that the ordinance gives the chief the ability to use his judgment and choose alternative routes for events to ensure safety.

McVey noted that the new ordinance and criteria would not be an issue for the Delta Fair Parade or Kennett School parades, although the criteria would have to be met. He explained that these parades already meet the majority of the required criteria.

During his report, Street Commissioner Randy Carter noted that he had recently transported equipment from Jefferson City Surplus Property which included six loads of dirt to start preparing for pouring concrete for the outdoor area of the new dog pound, along with other supplies for the dog pound.

Carter also explained that he and Mayor Roger Wheeler, Sr., had recently attended a pre-bid meeting at the County Commissioner's office with contractors to explain how the NRCS Grant for cleaning out the two Consolidated Drainage District #2 ditches within the city would be bid and handled.

He added that the bids for the project would be due by December 10, 2009.

"Hopefully we will see some movement to our ditches," Carter said.

He noted that the department had worked 85 hours in the last two weeks cleaning up remaining debris at the compost facility, following the recent burn of the material. Carter explained that the remaining debris was either pushed under ground or to wet to burn during the original burn at the compost.

He added that Bootheel Solid Waste District removed 982 tires from the compost facility on Tuesday.

Tate followed Carter's report noting that he appreciated the support the council had shown the police department during the recent trial in the City of Kennett.

"A lot of the guys read about the support and really appreciated it," Tate said. "It really helps morale."

He explained that he had recently received another $20 donation for the drug dog.

"It may take us a while but we will get there," Tate said. "I think this is something that will really help the city."

He added that the department started "Operation Safe Shopper," last Friday.

The department has been participating in "Operation Safe Shopper since 2003, according to Tate.

"I believe that it has gone over very well," Tate said.

He noted that during the operation he asks officers to complete more foot patrol in the parking lot of Walmart, in the plaza, and downtown, to try and keep things safe and make people aware of the officer's presence.

"In most places crime goes up at Christmas time and fortunately it doesn't happen here," Tate said.

Fire Chief John Mallott noted, during his report, that the department did not have any major incidents of structure fires in the first part of the holiday season.

"We are hoping to continue that throughout the next 30 days and into the new year," Mallott said.

In the submitted report, Mallott explained that the department had a total of 86 calls with the majority being EMS calls, service calls, or rescue calls.

He added that the department responded to 64 of the calls in the city of Kennett within four minutes and only six of the calls within the city exceeded the four minute response time.

During the Work Session, Wheeler asked the council to investigate an ordinance establishing a requirement of inspection when occupancy changes in rental properties.

"You can't rent substandard housing, that's what it boils down to," McVey said.

Wheeler noted that this could be an asset for both the tenant and the land lord.

He added that the tenant will have certain standards to expect to move into and the land lord will have a record of the living standard of the property prior to the tenant moving in.

Mallott explained that the inspection would have to be incorporated into the work for the fire department and code enforcement.

He added that a checklist would be developed for the next meeting.

McVey noted that he would also have an ordinance prepared for the next meeting to coincide with the checklist.

In other matters that came before the council:

* The council approved the appointment of council members to the city's boards and commissions;

* and The council approved an ordinance calling for a regular election on April 6, 2010.

The next Kennett City Council meeting is scheduled at 7:30 p.m., on December 15, 2009.