Owens Cross Roads council raises sewer late fee, updates nuisance rules, approves annexation and emergency fuel-tank purchase

The Owens Cross Roads City Council adopted three ordinances and approved an emergency procurement resolution at its recent meeting, moving to increase penalties for overdue sewer accounts, add enforcement measures to nuisance rules, annex a county parcel into city limits and replace a deteriorating fuel tank used by city vehicles.

A staff member told the council Ordinance 24-006 would raise the late fee for sewer accounts for bills unpaid after the 20th of the month, noting, "People don't care about $5, so maybe they'll care about $10." Councilmember Terry Man recorded an opposing vote on that ordinance; council members otherwise voted to adopt the measure.

The council also passed Ordinance 24-008, which updates the nuisance-abatement code to enumerate offenses such as overgrown grass and obstructive vegetation in rights-of-way and to specify repercussions for violations. Staff described the measure as an update that fills gaps in the existing code.

On Ordinance 24-009, the council approved the annexation of a property on Naughty Walls Road owned by Mr. and Miss Stapler. The property will be zoned rural residential upon annexation. During the discussion the Staplers said they plan to build on the lot but are waiting to learn whether annexation will affect setbacks and permitting; a staff member and others confirmed setbacks approved by the city engineer will apply and that an existing camper on the parcel would be treated under the city's permitting rules (a one-year permit was cited as the typical limit). One of the property owners said, "We're going to build a house... we're waiting to see if we can annex to the city before we start."

Council members also approved Resolution 24-024 to declare an emergency purchase and to accept a vendor quote to replace a rusted fuel tank and pump after routine maintenance revealed sediment and corrosion. A staff speaker explained the purchase met the statutory exception for emergency procurement, saying the tank was "unrepairable" and that the declaration enabled a faster purchase to protect city vehicles. The council discussed options for covering the cost (splitting it among departments or using capital savings) but did not finalize the department split during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 24-006 (sewer late fee increase): Adopted; opposition recorded from Councilmember Terry Man. - Ordinance 24-008 (nuisance abatement updates): Adopted, unanimous vote recorded. - Ordinance 24-009 (annexation, Naughty Walls Road): Adopted, unanimous vote recorded; zoned rural residential upon annexation; existing camper on site discussed as grandfathered per permitting guidance. - Resolution 24-024 (emergency purchase for fuel tank and pump): Adopted, justification cited routine maintenance findings and emergency-bid exception.

The council agreed to re-check the record and re-vote on previous meeting minutes later in the session to ensure the minutes and prior approvals were properly entered. The meeting then opened the floor to guests and concluded after reports and announcements.