Chillicothe council approves trash rate increase, yard sale ordinance

Chillicothe city council members approved a rate increase for trash collection and an ordinance for garage/yard sales and flea markets during a monthly business meeting Tuesday, Sept. 6 at City Hall.
The rate increase was set at 9.14 percent by contractor Waste Connections. The rate increase was approved by unanimous vote on a motion made by Toni Reagan and seconded by Wallace Clay.
A garage/yard sale and flea market ordinance was approved by council members. The ordinance permits a sale or market to be held over a three-day period, consecutive or non-consecutive only quarterly or four times per calendar year, for the non-commercial sale of furniture or household goods. Such sales will require a permit to be obtained from City Hall for extended periods. No such sales may be conducted on city-owned property but is permitted on private property with the consent of the property owner.
This ordinance was approved by a 4-1 vote on a motion made by Reagan and seconded by Bradley Fisher. Monica Vidaurri cast the lone dissenting vote on this motion.
Council members unanimously approved a motion for the placement of stop signs at the intersection of 7th and Avenue Q to create a four-way stop intersection. The motion was made by Reagan and seconded by Clay.
In other action, council members approved:
–Repairs to plate glass window at City Hall.
–Construction of retaining wall in front of the swimming pool building at a cost of $3,600.
–Bid of $1,050 submitted by James Givens for sale of parcel at 1801 South 6th Street.
–Consent agenda items including minutes of Aug. 15 monthly meeting, August financial statement and payment of bills.
Departmental reports were presented including:
–Fire department: No calls.
–Police department: 104 traffic stops with 188 citations issued.
–Rolling Plains/Nortex: Nortex Regional Planning Commission meeting set for Sept. 15.
–Tax department/court: $2,196.30 in base tax collected, $412.83 in penalties and $391.37 in attorney fees for total collections of $3,000.50.
Present at the meeting were Mayor Cathy Young and council members Vidaurri, Reagan, Fisher, Clay and Carlos Ayala. Also present were Secretary and Tax Collector Michelle Stovall, and Police Chief Shane Vandiver.