By Shaun Szkolnik for the Tribune
ARGO — The Argo City Council met on Monday at 6 p.m. After preliminary business was attended to the council addressed several issues of concern to the city.
The council received a report from Katie Whitfield of the teen council. The teen council wants to participate in Small Business Saturday, on November, 24. They requested permission to speak with local businesses in the area so as to secure their participation in the event as well. The council granted the teen council permission to proceed.
The council received a Police Report from Chief James Downing. The following occurred in Argo over the month of October:
- 19 incident reports were filled out
- 10 motor vehicle accidents
- 14 false/burglar alarms
- 15 incidents of domestic violence
- 28 fire assists
- 57 office assists
- 81 911 calls
- 190 patrol requests
- 61 public assistants
- 972 inspection calls
- 57 calls to I-59
- 7 DUI incidents
- 25 driver’s license violations
- 7 drug arrests
- 61 public assistance
- 3211 business checks
- 125 tag violations
- 1574 total calls for service
- 297 citations
- 82 warnings
The council received a Fire Report. The following occurred in Argo over the month of October:
- 3 structure fires
- 1 brush fire
- 1 car fire
- 1 fire alarm that turned out to be a false alarm
- 1 Gas leak
- 33 medical calls
- 43 total calls for the month
- Issued 8 fire permits
- Installed three smoke detectors in resident’s houses
The council was informed that the Fire Department will, upon request, install smoke detectors in the homes of private residents. The costs of the smoke detectors are covered by the state of Alabama.
The council heard a report on the Argo Food bank from Jim Link. Link informed the council that on November 17 the food bank will be giving away turkeys to the families in need.
The council then had a discussion on the Building Permit Ordinance. Councilman Ronnie Bowman expressed concerns that, since the ordinance would allow the city to grant permits without inspections, it could possibly result in lawsuits, against the city, as a permit could be interpreted as the city vouching that the structure was safe and adhered to all building codes. Bowman has been in contact with the state for clarification on the matter, that clarification has yet to be delivered. After some discussion the council decided to table the ordinance until the state could offer clarification on the issue.
The council next took up the issue of adding provisions to the city’s ordinance on signs to specifically deal with signs for yard sales. The council agreed that permits for yard signs would be issued for $5 or $10, depending on size, and that those that had purchased the permit would be required to remove the signs within 24 hours of the end of their yard sale. Failure to do so could lead to a fine of $100 being issued to the violator. The updates were passed unanimously.
The council had a short discussion on renewing the term of Judge Carl Chamblee for another two years. The council approved of the renewing the term, for two years, unanimously.
Other topics before the council were:
- Storm shelter update
- CCI Invoice
- Christmas Parade
- Christmas for Kids
There were no public comments.
The Argo City council will meet again on November 26.