by Kathy Foster
Chipley’s City Council held a lenghty workshop session Thursday night and discussed the Chipley Redevelopment Agency, the need for stronger code enforcement, and agenda items for their May 14th regular council meeting.
Hearing from Ted Everett regarding the May 8th meeting of the Chipley Redevelopment Agency (CRA), council members were told the CRA has resolved several problems that had arisen involving grants awarded to Dennis and Marsha Hayes. He also thanked Councilman Brett Butler for attending the recent CRA meeting and reporting back to the Council that the CRA is working to clarify wording in the existing grants.
While council members were discussing code enforcement issues around the city, Councilman Kevin Russell brought up the question of the $50 a day fines that have been accuring on some properties for a number of years, with no formal action being taken by the city to collect the fines.
Russell expressed the opinon that the City needs to “put some teeth” in the ordinance and work harder at getting things cleaned up.
Councilwoman Linda Cain supported Russell and said city officials aren’t being fair to the neighbors who keep up their property.
Council members agreed that the ultimate goal is to get property cleaned up around town by getting the attention of the property owners who are not cleaning up their property. Council members agreed the action will improve the look of the city and improve property values.
Council members placed the following items on their agenda for action at next week’s meeting:
- Approval of Resolution No. 19-27 – FDOT LAP supplemental Agreement 5th Street Drainage Improvements Project
- Approval of Resolution No. 19-28 – The General Election set for Aug. 6th for Wards 2 and 3. Qualifying will June 10th-14th.
- Approval of Seolution No. 19-29 – DFACS Florida Forest Service Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant
- Approval of Special Event Application – Panhandle Watermelon Festival set for June 28th-29th.
- Approval of Reappoitment of Chipley Housing Authority Commissioner Randall Truette for a four-year-term.
- Approval of Grant Writer Scoring Recommendation