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Despite a rather lengthy executive
session to “discuss and consider hiring a police officer,” no such
action was taken during the most recent DeLeon City Council meeting,
December 28.
After reconvening in open session, Mayor
pro tem Howard Gifford made a motion to “hire Ben Rowell as a patrol
officer for the City of DeLeon,” with Councilman Avery Carlisle
providing a second. Council members Norma Locke and John Holdridge
were absent, therefore when Mayor Danny Owen and Councilman Johnnye
Howell voted against hiring Rowell, Owen noted “we are tied.”
“You get to debate now,” said Karen
Wilkerson, city secretary, “or hold it over until the next meeting.”
“I guess we’re going to have to hold it
over until the next meeting then,” Gifford said.
“Yes, I think we’ve already discussed all
we can discuss here,” Owen said. “This item will be tabled until our
next regular session.”
During the executive session, three of
the current police officers -- Robert Kluge, Dustin Paulsen, and Chief
Ralph Dickey -- were called in separately to council chambers to
participate in the discussion, as was Rowell.
Rowell was also interviewed by the
council in early November, along with Waverly Inman (who was hired)
and J.T. Adams, as the council sought to replace Officer Richard
Hyatt, who unexpectedly vacated his position.
Prior to the discussion on hiring a new
police officer, council members approved, on first reading, a “noise
ordinance” with Mayor Owen noting, “I think this is something that
will meet our needs.”
“If I read this right, this is for all
noise,” Gifford said, “not just engine brakes.”
“Yes,” Mayor Owen noted, “and I believe
this to be an important ordinance for our officers. As many complaints
as we get -- this will give them a little additional authority to take
care of business.”
The ordinance, #014-06, reads, in part:
"Loud Noise Declared Nuisance and
Prohibited: Any unreasonably loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise
which causes disturbance, discomfort or injury to persons of ordinary
sensibilities in the immediate vicinity of the noise is hereby
declared a nuisance and is prohibited within the City limits. Acts
which shall be considered unreasonably loud shall include, but shall
not be limited to, the following:
(1) The sounding of any horn or signal
device, emanating from a motor vehicle, except as a danger signal, so
as to create a loud or harsh sound plainly audible within any dwelling
unit or residence. A motor vehicle as used in this subsection means
every vehicle that is self-propelled;
(2) The use of “engine brakes” or
similar mechanical/vehicular devices in such a manner or resulting in
noise of a volume that a person of ordinary sensibilities is disturbed
or annoyed or so as to create a loud or harsh sound plainly audible
within any dwelling unit or residence within the City boundaries.
(3) The playing or operation of any
device designed for sound reproduction including, but not limited to,
any radio, television set, musical instrument, audio system, including
cassette tape players, compact disc players, and speakers, or loud
speaker, in such a manner or with such volume as to be plainly audible
in any dwelling unit or residence which is not the source of the
sound, or to operate any such device out of doors or on public
property or a public right-of-way so as to be plainly audible fifty
(50) feet or more from such device and or causes a person to be aware
of the vibration accompanying the sound at a distance of fifty (50)
feet or more from the source.”
A penalty section notes that any person
violating any provisions of this ordinance shall be found guilty of a
Class C misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine
of not more than $500.
In other business, council members:
• Approved a request by DeLeon Theater
Troupe representative Carla Landreth for troupe members to paint the
stage area. Landreth said that the troupe would supply the materials
and labor, they were just looking for permission. Council members
agreed, with one noting it was a “win-win” situation.
• Finalized decisions on the agenda item
“purchase park supplies” as regarding playground equipment.
• Approved the purchase of fuel for
equipment for the volunteers doing the dirt work for the tractor pull. |
