Monday night two new Lennox Council members were sworn in, as Stacy DuChene was officially seated as Mayor and Bill Daugherty as alderman for Ward II. Also being sworn in for a second term were Chad Reilly for Ward III and Billy Welch for Ward I.
Prior to the convening of the new council, Mayor Tracy West presided over the first part of the meeting, which included a public hearing for the temporary alcohol license for the Lennox Commercial Club. This is to allow beer sales during the July 3 Street Dance sponsored by the Commercial Club. No one was there to speak for or against the issue.
The old council approved the consent agenda which included previous minutes, claims, public works report, ambulance report, police report, parks and rec report and the library report. For details on the reports, see page 9 of this week’s paper.
Under old business the manufactured home court licenses were brought up. Manufactured home park licenses for each of the four parks in Lennox expire at the end of June.
City Administrator Nate Vander Plaats explained that following the receipt of renewal applications, Building Inspector Greg McMahan and Vander Plaats inspected all applicants and provided feedback on the improvements needed to come into compliance with the City’s ordinances and regulations. The requirement states in order for a license to be renewed, all deficiencies must be resolved by June 30, 2020.
Sunnyside Mobile Home Park, owned by Rob Huber had requested an extension to complete the work.
Vander Plaats stated in his memo, “…there is no mechanism in our ordinances for an extension to complete the work.
“In addition to not allowing extension, I believe enforcement measures should be assessed to park owners that are not in compliance immediately beginning July 1, 2020. Chapter 1.05 of the City of Lennox Revised Zoning Regulations permits the City of Lennox to assess a fine of $500, imprisonment of no more than 30 days. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.”
Council took no action, which means the Manufactured Home Park owners not in compliance with Chapter 6 of Lennox Zoning Ordinances will face penalties.
Following the old business, the new council was seated. Elected as Council President was Brock Rops, Chad Wulf will serve as Vice President.
Mayor DuChene requested to table the Mayoral Appointment of City Attorney and City Engineer to allow herself time to meet with the current appointees. Wulf made a motion to table the appointments, but it died for a lack of second.
Rops voiced his concern about going through the process of looking at engineering firms again, stating this has just been done. He suggested breaking the two appointments out. So Council did table the Mayoral Appointment of the City Attorney.
Mayor DuChene appointed Stockwell Engineers as the City Engineering firm, which Council approved.
Mayoral Appointment of Committees includes the following: Streets/Water/Sewer—Chad Wulf, Brock Rops, Sam Bowers; Zoning/Buildings—Billy Welch, Brock Rops, Bill Daugherty; Police/Fire/Ambulance—Brock Rops, Sam Bowers, Bill Daugherty; Finance/Economic Development—Sam Bowers, Chad Wulf, Chad Reilly; Library/Solid Waste/Weeds—Bill Daugherty, Chad Reilly, Billy Welch; Parks/Recreation/Pool—Chad Reilly, Chad Wulf, Billy Welch.
Council approved the motion to appoint The Lennox Independent as official newspaper for the City of Lennox.
Under new business, Council heard from Jesse Fonkert, with Lincoln County Economic Development. Council approved Pay Application 8 for the Central Basin 2 Project.
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