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Avoca council reviews flood repairs, turn-signal options and zoning enforcement; court orders Avoca Tire Shop to pay town legal fees
Summary
Council members reviewed flood-related road damage and set a meeting with ESI Engineering to prepare FEMA bid specifications, discussed a turn signal request at Hwy 62 and Rose/Russell, and received a legal update that Judge Schrantz found Avoca Tire Shop in compliance but ordered owner Jose Orellana to pay the town's legal fees by Oct. 25.
The Avoca Town Council on July 10 reviewed a cluster of infrastructure, zoning and legal items: road damage from recent flooding, traffic-signal options at a state highway intersection, park electrical work and a court-ordered legal-fee repayment connected to the Avoca Tire Shop.
Alderman Robert Whitehorn reported road damage attributed to flooding; the council set a meeting with Jason Appel of ESI Engineering and ER* Assist to begin drafting bid specifications for FEMA-related repairs. Mayor Thomas O'Dell said he is pursuing options to obtain a turn signal at the Hwy 62 and Rose/Russell intersection. For park improvements, Mayor O'Dell said Craine's Electric & Drywall will start electrical work for the pavilion and town sign and prepare the pavilion pad; he said he will check on potential VFW grant monies for the Steam Whistle Depot project.
On code enforcement, Town Attorney Edwin McClure briefed the council that a temporary hearing on July 22 confirmed Avoca Tire Shop (owner Jose Orellana) was in compliance and was issued a business license. McClure noted that at a prior May 23 hearing the court found Jose Orellana in willful contempt for continuing to operate after a cease-and-desist and ordered him to pay the town's legal fees; the minutes record an October 25 deadline for payment.
Zoning official Larry Parrish said the town has received a noise complaint about music from TCB Boxing and multiple complaints about dogs attacking leashed animals; Parrish is investigating and the town has printed a complaint form for residents to submit reports. Recorder-Treasurer Nanette Barnes also reported the fire department answered 35 calls in June and that Fire Chief Frankie Elliott confirmed all fireworks stands in town limits passed inspection.
The council also discussed outreach materials (a flier and letter) drafted by Aldermen Kathy Hansen and Harry Simons to solicit annexations into Avoca; Town Attorney McClure will research whether soliciting annexation by letter is permissible under state law.
Next steps: staff will pursue FEMA bid specifications, the attorney will research annexation outreach legality, and zoning staff will continue investigations into noise and dog complaints. The council adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
