Civic Corner: Board of Aldermen Recap – January 4, 2022
By Ricki Garrett, PhD, Alderwoman at Large
Happy New Year to everyone. The Mayor and Board of Aldermen did not have much time to catch our breath from the holidays before meeting again in a work session on January 3 and a Board Meeting on January 4. The purpose of the work session was to begin the process of approving the changes to the International Residential Codes, Building Codes, Fire Codes, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes, Fuel Gas Codes, Property Maintenance Codes, and to the Existing Building Codes. The Board approves these changes every three years.
Although the Board Meeting agenda was not as long as some, it still engendered some important discussion. Ward 2 Alderman Jim Martin asked that the minutes of the special called meeting of the Board on December 9 to discuss the garbage contract reflect that his motion was for a six-year contract, and that it not include a provision to raise rates if costs increase. Attorney Will Purdie indicated that he thought the intent of the Board was to leave the provision in, provided it would also include a provision that rates could decrease if costs decrease. It was determined that the recording of the meeting would clarify the intent of the Board. The motion to approve the minutes, with the requested changes, was seconded, and the motion passed.
The Board also approved a dimensional variance for a house owned by Dave Riley on Leake Street, so that it could be rented for a consulting business.
Conditional use for several small cell sites was approved for C-Spire, although several Board Members expressed concerns over the number of times cell phone companies request approval to construct new poles rather than use existing poles or roofs of buildings for the small cell towers. A company representative provided further information on the rationale for using a new pole, and the requests were approved. However, the Board will look further into this issue in order to protect the aesthetics of the community.
A requested new site plan for Arby’s on Highway 80 was approved, in a six to one vote of the Board.
The Board approved a Certificate of Appropriateness for renovations to a house owned by Colin Baird to serve as a residence. The Board approved the Certificate with one change—the use of shingles, rather than metal, on the roof of the extension, in order to match the existing roof of the house. Although the Architectural Review Board had approved the metal roofing on the extension with the rationale that it would not be visible, the Board argued that it would not be an appropriate look.
The Board also approved the acceptance of the force main sewer line on the former Waller property. The acceptance of the sewer line will assist the City in its efforts to upgrade and expand our existing sewer capability in the area.
An amendment to the City’s current contract with WGK, our engineering consulting firm, related to standard hourly billing rates for 2022, was also approved.
The Board will continue to look at existing codes and ordinances over the coming weeks.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Space will be provided in each issue of The Clinton Courier to the Board of Aldermen for a recap of each meeting. Aldermen are asked to volunteer to provide this recap for the Courier.
