Council discusses code enforcement

HARRINGTON – The Harrington City Council met May 12 in the Memorial Hall with Mayor Nathan Luck chairing. Council members in attendance were David Buddrius, Justin Slack (via Zoom), Levi Schenk, Peter Davenport, Stephen Hardy and Cynthia Silhan as Clerk. Visitors identified were Scott McGowan, Lynn McGowan, Cherie MacClellan, Joe Armand, Jess Silhan and Denisa Holling.

A lengthy discussion was held on code enforcement and how the city can address the problem of having ordinances that are not being enforced. David Buddrius spoke about various aspects of the issue, including working with the citizens to obtain compliance without the need for tickets or fines. Buddrius said he had spoken with county officials about the court process, then said, "Tickets would be a last resort for non-compliance." No action was taken and the council will continue to collect options for further discussions.

Kathi Matthews wrote a letter to the city council requesting an appointment to the Harrington Public Development Authority (PDA) while noting her 20+ years in non-profit fundraising, community mobilization and in volunteer engagement. Council remarked that living rural to Harrington would not disqualify her from participation in the PDA. Council voted unanimously to support her joining the PDA.

Luck stated he had asked Scott McGowan to continue working, rather than take his vacation time, to cover the city's public works department while the mayor continues to conduct interviews for the two positions in that department. McGowan consented to work during his vacation hours to the end of May. Hardy expressed appreciation for McGowan's willingness to help the city.

While acknowledging that the mayor had interviewed a potential employee for McGowan's position, no decision regarding hiring was announced by the mayor. Interviews have been held for the clerk's position, but no decision was announced for those applicants.

Time constraints have interfered with Luck's signing of a Bid Authorization Form to TD&H which will allow them to begin the advertisement process for bids for the West Adams Street project. Davenport had concerns about the infrastructure underground, to which McGowan stated that he believed that most everything was fine, except possibly a few minor areas that could easily be fixed prior to the beginning of the actual construction.

Hardy asked to have the issue of "snowbirds" and inactive water and sewer rates added to the agenda. In last month's meeting Hardy had a discussion with Randy Behrens regarding carving out an exemption for the snowbirds in which they could have a reduced rate. Hardy proposed having an ad hoc committee set up to look into this. Any consideration for a snowbird rate would not be applied in commercial zones.

The city handbook, which has been "in process" for more than a year, has been deemed "almost completed," although there are still items that the council wants the city attorney to view again.. A final draft will be presented to council, and then a vote will be taken for approval.