Bruceville-Eddy council approves amendment to regulate towable RVs over staff objections, 3-2

The Bruceville-Eddy City Council voted 3-2 on May 20 to amend the city's nuisance ordinance to add towable recreational vehicles (RVs) to the list of vehicle types subject to enforcement.

The ordinance, introduced as an amending ordinance to the offenses-of-nuisance article of the Bruceville-Eddy Code of Ordinances, "provid[es] for the regulation of recreational vehicles, RVs, to include towable RVs that are a threat to the health and safety of the general public," a council speaker read during the motion.

City Administrator Kent Wiggins told the council the change stemmed from repeated instances of inoperable towable RVs left on properties and that the draft language reflects council direction from a March 27 meeting. "This ordinance simply expands the current ordinance to include these types," Wiggins said. He and Chief Michael Dorsey said enforcement would continue to prioritize notice and working with property owners before taking significant enforcement action. "Staff will continue our practice. Chief Dorsey has mentioned we're gonna continue to work with property owners the best we can, make sure that they get a notice," Wiggins said.

During public questions and council discussion, members asked who decides whether a unit is a junked vehicle or a livable RV. Wiggins and other staff pointed to the city's existing definition: "A junked vehicle ... is defined in our ordinances, and it does have a reference to state law," Wiggins said, and added that determinations would be made on a case-by-case basis.

The motion to adopt the ordinance passed 3-2. The meeting record shows the tally but does not list individual yes/no votes by name.

The ordinance expands the city's enforcement tools but leaves the definition and determination process under the existing code; staff said the city will notify owners and allow time to comply before pursuing stronger enforcement.