Resident contests city mowing charges, says crews mowed adjoining property; council accepts complaint for review

GADSDEN — A property owner told the Gadsden City Council he was billed $450 three times after city crews mowed grass at 1501 Tuscaloosa Avenue and that the crews mowed additional land he did not own.

Don Berkey told the council he has owned the church building at 1501 Tuscaloosa Avenue for three years and that he was charged $450 per mowing on three occasions. "I never received [notice]," Berkey said, adding that he had mowed most of the area himself for years and that about two-thirds of the area mowed by city crews was not on his parcel according to an aerial map he provided to the clerk.

Berkey said he has been voluntarily mowing two city-owned lots near his residence for about 12 years and asked for "mercy" on the bill. He left a drawing and map with the city clerk for staff review.

Council response

Council President acknowledged the complaint, asked Berkey to leave the map with the clerk and said the council would have the city attorney and appropriate staff review the case. "We'd have to get with the city attorney because all this has already been passed through. But I think we'll certainly take a look at that and see where it goes," the presiding officer said.

The council did not take formal action during the meeting; staff were asked to review the submitted materials and report back when legal and administrative review is complete.

Speakers in this report are drawn from the meeting transcript and appear in the speakers list below.