City
debates future of
temporary
sign ordinance
Several
businesses found to be in violation
Should the city enforce its current ordinance pertaining
to temporary signs, or change the ordinance?
That question was pondered at a meeting of the Platte
City Board of Aldermen Tuesday night at city hall.
The city's building inspector/codes enforcement officer
Michael Simenson recently surveyed Platte City for properties
with temporary signs without permits and found nine businesses
in violation.
Offutt stated that the city's ordinance requires a permit
for a temporary sign. The permit, which is good for 21
days, requires a $250 deposit (which the individual will
get back if the sign is removed) and only allows a business
to be issued one annually.
"The ordinance is already on the books. The question
is, do we want to change the ordinance or enforce it?"
stated Offutt.
Alderman John Kurtz said the signs serve no appeal to
him when driving through Platte City.
"I think they're an eyesore driving down 92 Highway.
They don't do anything for me," said Kurtz. Kurtz
pointed to examples of the current signage at La Cantina
and Nearly New.
The board voted to revisit the issue of the ordinance
pending their review in 30 days. Board members agreed
to discuss not only possible changes in the ordinance
but research the decision to implement the ordinance five
years ago.
Offutt said, "The board does not wish for you (Simenson)
to enforce the offenses for the next 30 days pending a
review by the board."
Board members also voted to approve the purchase of a
1990 International roll off truck from American Equipment
for $26,550. The truck was traded to American Equipment
from the St. Joseph Landfill, with 40,000 miles on the
vehicle.
In City Administrator Keith Moody's report to the board
of aldermen he states, "I spoke with the operator
of the landfill and he indicated the truck has a rebuilt
transmission and clutch, but the truck was always dependable.
The reason it has so few miles is that it was only used
at the landfill."
The report also stated that while the present condition
may not appear very attractive, the price included new
tires, repainting the cab , chasis and installing new
rear fenders.
The city, which budgeted $20,000 for the purchase of
a used truck, has reached a lease agreement with the County
Road and Bridge Department that will allow them use of
the truck 25 percent of the time for four years and will
pay the city $7,500 up front. The cost of repairs will
be shared on a 25/75 percent basis. The county will perform
regular maintenance, while the city will be responsible
for the housing of the vehicle.
After the amendment of the FY2002 budget at the Feb.
26 meeting to include funds for contract mowing verses
hiring a seasonal employee, the board voted to enter into
agreement with Perfect Cents Lawn Care for the mowing
of 11 areas in the city for $285 per mowing.
The only other bid submitted was for $690 from Gipson
Lawn Care, who provides mowing services of the cemetery
and city hall.
The contracted mowing will include the following locations:
island (North & 3rd), welcome sign-east, welcome sign-west,
water meter vault (136th Street), detention basin (Platte
Valley), orange water tower, tan standpipe, public works
(Paxton Street), public works (First Street), water wells
(Highway 92 West), and waste water treatment plant. The
term of the contract is for a one-year period, effective
April 1 and ending March 31, 2003.
Offutt also announced to the board that $12,000 has been
given by developer Bill Mann to go toward the planting
of 72 trees to start at the west of Highway 92 corridor
and continue until the Vo Tech School entrance.
Offutt requested a closed session be held at the next
meeting of the board to discuss the Bob Muehlberger Concrete,
Inc. lawsuit against the city. According to Offutt, Muehlberger
Concrete of Merriam, KS sued the city for breach of contract
regarding Phase 2 of the CIP Plan.
"The city objected to the lawsuit based on lack
of performance for completing the contract. The matter
has been in litigation since the suit was filed last summer,"
said Offutt. "Now we are working towards an out-
of-court settlement. Once the suit is settled, the effect
will be the ability to complete the renovation and restoration
of Fourth Street.
"A lot of the land not being put back to its original
condition during the last phase of the project was the
contractor's responsibility," explained Offutt.
In another matter, Offutt announced that Saturday, March
30 the residents of Platte City will begin to see the
start of Phase 3 of the CIP Plan.
Offutt informed the board that on Saturday, Seal-O-Matic
will be removing 59 mailboxes from 69 homes in the third
phase of the project to prepare for the construction.
According to Offutt, through the suggestion of Postmaster
Mike Barnes, two locations will be established for those
residents affected by the project. The two locations designated
by Barnes were the intersections of 2nd and Spring and
Blake and Todd.
Upon the completion of the project, Seal-O-Matic will
return to each residence and replace the mailboxes.
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