Plains council passes ordinances, referendum

The Plains Town Council passed amendments for two ordinances and a referendum, and tabled the first reading of a new ordinance at last Monday's monthly meeting at City Hall.

Council President John Sheridan headed the meeting in the absence of Mayor Chris Allen. Council members Connie Foust, Garrett Boon and John Roesler were present with Chad Cantrell on a cellphone. Nearly a dozen people showed up for the meeting, which ran just over an hour.

The first ordinance was created in response to a homeless man recently living in the gazebo at Fred Young Park. "A guy squats and builds a house out of our gazebo," said Cathy Emmett, the town clerk.

Sheridan said that having homeless people living at the parks in Plains was not a big problem. "We don't want to let the homeless thing get out of hand. Homelessness is probably a bigger problem in other places, but I think we're just aiming, trying to give ourselves some ammo, a defensible position to be able to keep it from getting out of hand in our community," he said.

The purpose of Ordinance 23-3 was to clarify the stopping, parking and the usage of city owned property, such as parks and rights of way for overnight camping. The ordinance stated that the town council believes there is the need for limitations on overnight camping and parking within the town limits. "The Town Council has determined that a significant amount of confusion exists within the Town as to where or if overnight camping in tents, recreational vehicles or otherwise is allowed within the Town of Plains," stated the ordinance. It also noted that the town recognized "the delicate balance that must be maintained between the protection of residential properties as compared to the reasonable expectation to use privately owned property."

The ordinance called for a $50 fine for the first offense, $250 for the second and $500 for the third offense, plus towing expenses. Subsequent offenses, according to the document, would be $500, plus towing expenses and up to 30 days in jail. "However, a rest period of no more than 10 hours shall be allowed, providing it is permitted by the owner of the parking lot," it stated.

Council members Garrett Boon and Connie Foust both questioned the use of the terms private parking lots and privately owned property in the ordinance and believe it needs clarification. The council voted unanimously to table the ordinance and Sheridan said he will talk to the town attorney, Loren Fitzpatrick, about the ordinance.

People in the audience wondered about people who pop in over a weekend and would like to camp or park an RV overnight and that people from out of town might not know of the ordinance. Emmett said the council would have to approve any requests ahead of time and there will be signs placed once the ordinance is passed.

The council gave its full approval of amendments Ordinance 260, which has to do with speed limits, and Ordinance 20-2, which covers truck traffic on parts of Clayton Street. Both amendments had to do with establishing fines. Ordinance 20-2 prohibits through truck traffic where the gross vehicle weight is equal or in excess of 26,000. The ordinance covers Clayton Street from the intersection of Railroad Street and Clayton to the exterior boundary of the town toward the intersection with Kruger Road. The council on Monday established an $85 fine for violating the ordinance.

The council also approved a $50 fine for the now permanent speed limit of 15 mph on Willis Street between Stanton and Oak Streets, which is the area crossing the E.L. Johnson Memorial Park. In the past, the town has reduced the speed limit there from 25 mph to 15 mph during the summer months when the park is used more frequently and the pools are open.

The opening of the community swimming pool and kiddie pool have been delayed because the town presently has no qualified lifeguards. Allen said they are hoping to get Plains resident Drew Carey trained before June 22 and he will train others for the two pools.

The council also unanimously approved the Referendum for Street District, which is a repeat of a 2018 Road District Tax, a five-year program that runs out at the end of the year. The referendum, Resolution No. 23-4, is a renewal of the special district for the "construction and maintenance of the streets and alleys of the Town of Plains" and would once again go to a vote by the residents. It was unanimously passed by the council to put it up for vote. The referendum calls for $50,000 a year for five years, the same as last time.

Sheridan also announced the hiring of a new police officer, Rob Geenen, and the departure of Officer Chris Reyna, who will be appealing his being released. A new public works staff member, Nick Schaefer, was also hired.

Plains Fire Chief Anthony R. Young let the council know that he was able to purchase four new turnouts for his firefighters. He also said he would be eliminating two members from the fire department because they seldom showed up for meetings or training. Presently, he has nine members on the volunteer fire department and is looking for additional members. Those interested can show up at one of their meetings, which take place on the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the fire hall.