By Terry Schrimscher, For the Tribune
CLAY — The city of Clay extended a deadline for demolition of a historic building during the Sept. 12 meeting of the Clay City Council. The discussion took place in the public comments portion of the agenda at the end of the meeting.
City Manager Ronnie Dixon updated the Council on the situation involving the old Chalkville Small Engine Service Center building on 6818 Old Springville Road. Longtime owner Pete Frederick passed away in June and his family received notice from the city about the condemnation of the property.
“A lot of different things have just happened when my dad passed away and then we got the letter,” said Eric Frederick, son of the deceased property owner. “We’re just trying to figure out what our avenues are.”
Dixon said he visited the property and walked through it with the property owner and advised him that the property would need major repairs to get up to code before it could be sold. At the time, another business was working with a real estate agent to purchase the property but did not complete the sale.
The discussion on the status of the property continued for approximately 20 minutes. Dixon advised Frederick the property could continue to be operated as the existing business, according to regulations, but would have to be maintained and would not pass inspection if the family decided to sell it.
The letter was dated July 6, and gave the family 60 days to take action. Frederick asked the Council for an extension in order to restart the business license and make the building presentable. The Council granted the extension.
In his report to the Council, Captain Chris Horn of the Center Point Fire District discussed the need for every citizen to obtain smoke detectors.
“We’re still running structure fires and I do not understand. The Center Point Fire District gives away free smoke detectors,” Horn said. “There’s no reason for anyone in the Center Point Fire District not to have a working smoke detector.”
Horn said citizens in the district can call 205-853-5098 and someone from the department will install them.
Horn said the department ran 931 calls in August for a total of 6872 call this year. He pointed out that Center Point Fire District is the largest service area in Jefferson County.
In other business, the Council approved a resolution authorizing the elimination of weeds and debris on several properties within the city.
The Council also said the homeless encampments discussed in previous meetings are being cleared.
The next meeting of the Clay City Council is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Sept. 26, at City Hall.