City Cracking Down on Junked Vehicle Eyesores with New Ordinance (VIEW THE ORDINANCE HERE)

January 30, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The City of Smithville is cracking down on those who keep junked vehicles in plain sight on their properties.

(TO VIEW THE NEW JUNKED VEHICLE ORDINANCE CLICK THE PDF LINK AT THE END OF THIS STORY BOTTOM OF THE PAGE)

During Tuesday night’s special meeting, the aldermen adopted on first reading an ordinance regulating junked vehicles on public and private property in the City of Smithville. Second and final reading action will come following a public hearing during a meeting in March.

Mayor Josh Miller raised the issue at the last regular monthly meeting on January 7th.

“This is something that has come up and I hear it about vehicles parked everywhere. They are not tagged and have not been driven in five to ten years. It doesn’t look good. I think its time to do something about that. We don’t have an ordinance on that” said Mayor Miller.

“This is something the board and I feel is needful in the city. I think people need to keep their property up to par. I think the city council would agree and I think most of the citizens would agree. I think this will help property values. If you are someone who takes pride in your place and you live beside someone who doesn’t have that same pride in their place it is harmful to the neighborhood and doesn’t look good,” Mayor Miller told WJLE.

Under the ordinance a city police officer is authorized to issue an ordinance summons for violations on private property either upon complaint of any citizen or the officer’s own information. But the city intends to give violators a chance to remove their junked vehicles before taking them to court.

Property owners in violation will be sent a letter from the city asking them to address the violation within 30 days or risk being cited into city court and subject to a $50 civil penalty for each separate violation of the ordinance. Each day of the violation shall be considered a separate violation.

“Once you receive a letter you will have 30 days to get it cleaned up and police officers will have the authority to issue an ordinance summons or citation,” said Mayor Miller.

If the owner of the premises refuses to comply with a court order to correct the violation, the city judge can order the city to take the corrective action and pass the costs onto the property owner. If the property owner fails to pay the bill the city can add further fees on the tax rolls as a lien on the property and collect the fees in the same manner as city taxes are collected.

The ordinance makes exceptions for persons who park, store, keep, and maintain a junked vehicle on private property completely enclosed within a building and not visible from the street or abutting property; if the junked vehicle is in the process of being restored; or if the junked vehicle is parked or stored on property lawfully zoned for business engaged in wrecking, junking, or repairing vehicles.

Ordinance Regulating Junked Vehicles.pdf

January 30, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Aldermen have adopted an updated zoning classification ordinance with a new color coded map as recommended by the Smithville Planning Commission.

(CLICK LINKS TO VIEW PDF OF ORDINANCE AND COLOR MAP AT THE END OF THIS STORY BOTTOM OF THE PAGE)

First reading action was taken on the ordinance during a special meeting Tuesday night at city hall. Second and final reading action will be scheduled at a meeting in March following a public hearing.

According to City Administrator Hunter Hendrixson, the new ordinance is intended to simplify the designations of zoning districts.

The R-1 (low-density residential) districts (single-family dwelling, excluding mobile homes) and R-2 (high density residential) districts (multi-family dwellings) will remain the same. All the R-3 (high density residential) districts will be re-classified as R-2.

B-1 districts (business uses) will be re-classified as C-1 (commercial districts) for small businesses.

B-2 district (central business district) will be re-designated as C-2 (commercial district) for businesses in the downtown area.

M-1 districts (manufacturing uses) will be re-classified as I-1 (Industrial Districts) for light industry uses.

The new color coded zoning map shows the following:
R-1 districts (yellow)
R-2 districts (orange)
C-1 district (pink)
C-2 districts (red)
I-1 districts (purple)

Smithville Zoning Map 2019-2.pdf

Smithville-Zoning-Ordinance.pdf

January 30, 2019
By: Dr. April Martin, UT Extension Agent

The UT Extension Office in DeKalb County will be offering Dining with Diabetes classes on February 11, 18, and 25th. The three consecutive classes will be held in the kitchen of the DeKalb County Complex building from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. UT Extension Agent Dr. April Martin will conduct the program. Dining with Diabetes is open to anyone with diabetes, family members of diabetics or anyone at risk for diabetes.

You will learn how to prepare quick and healthy meals that taste good. Recipes will be demonstrated and participants will have the opportunity to taste each one. There is a charge of $15 that covers the entire course for the food which will be demonstrated. Participants will be able to have a small meal as well.

Participants will gain knowledge on analyzing nutritional value of foods; how to identify and monitor the amount of carbohydrates, sodium and fat eaten; how to modify favorite recipes to reduce refined carbohydrates, sodium and saturated fat; how to identify sources of “healthy” fats in food such as, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fat including food sources of omega 3 fatty acids; how to identify hidden sources of trans fat in food and how to use artificial sweeteners, plus the importance of physical activity. Recipes and handouts will be given to each participant.

Diabetes is a very serious and costly disease. Research has shown that those who learn to manage their blood sugar levels; eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly can lower their risk of complications. Diabetics can lead a healthy and productive life when they manage their disease.

For registration information, contact the UT Extension office 615-597-4945 by February 7. Class size is limited, so reservations are needed.

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