Dunkirk clean-up efforts discussed

DUNKIRK - Efforts to step up enforcement of city building, health and safety codes are being launched by council members here.

Responding to a suggestion by councilman Eric Bowler, the city will be advertising for a part-time position of Dunkirk health and safety officer in order to place more emphasis on cleaning up dilapidated buildings and controlling tall weed and litter problems in the community.

Dunkirk Police Chief Dane Mumbower had been serving as health and safety officer, but at Monday's city council session Mumbower pointed out that he has only a limited amount of time to devote to that job.

"It depends on what else is going on" with the police department operations, Mumbower told council members Monday night. "I work on the health and safety matters when I can," Mumbower said. The police chief did not receive any extra pay for handling the health and safety duties, clerk-treasurer Jane Kesler said.

The part-time position will pay $1,250 for about six months of work between May and October, council members said.

"Dane gets tied up with his police department duties," Bowler said, pointing out that he would rather have a separate part-time person handle the job - perhaps someone who is retired but knows the city well.

Bowler's motion to advertise and accept applications for the position won unanimous council approval.

Discussing the issue of dilapidated buildings further, Bowler said this problem needs some immediate attention.

He pointed out that barricades had been placed on the sidewalk in front of a vacant structure in the 300 block of South Main Street on the west side to prevent pedestrians from walking too close to that dilapidated building, but now school children and other people were walking in the street to go around the barricades. This isn't very safe either, Bowler said.

The building is reportedly going up for sale for back taxes, city attorney William Hinkle said. Meanwhile Bowler recommended that Jay County health officer David Houck be asked to look it over, possibly along with Jay County engineer Dan Watson, to see if the building is structurally sound.

The building doesn't appear to be safe and reportedly the upstairs is a haven for pigeons, Bowler said.

However, council member Judy Garr suggested that the city seek an official opinion and recommendation from Houck.

"I'm concerned about children walking in that area," Bowler said.

Mayor Ron Hunt agreed to contact Houck to inspect the structure as well as another nearby building, also along Main Street in the downtown area.

In other business Monday night council members:

•Agreed with a recommendation from councilman Tom Johnson to review the city's employee policy procedures that have not been updated in about six years. He passed out copies of the procedures for the council to review with the suggestion that a special meeting could be held at a later date to discuss them.

•Discussed the possibility of adopting an ordinance regarding the use of golf carts and all-terrain-vehicles in the city. Johnson passed out copies of Portland's ordinance on the topic, and noted that Jay County officials were also considering this subject.

•Approved sending Dunkirk city pool director Ashley Smith to a two-day school on pool operations. Cost for this training will be $275, plus a $6 book.

•Approved a quote of $14,500 from Culy Construction and Excavating, Randolph County, for improvements to manholes and catch basins. This will be paid with funds from the wastewater treatment department. Councilman Chuck Rife explained that the basic objective of the work is to prevent rainwater from entering the sanitary sewer system and save the city money since it will not be treating as much storm water during times of heavy rains at the wastewater treatment plant.

•Listened to a complaint about trucks spilling broken pieces of glass for recycling on city streets. Mayor Hunt said he and the police department would look into this problem, possibly having tickets issued for trucks with leaky loads.[[In-content Ad]]