Council members press staff on park watering, code enforcement and new street equipment

During council reports and department updates, Councilman Bryan Craig raised several operational issues: scheduling weed-control meetings, alleged code violations near Veteran’s Memorial Park, and concerns about excessive watering at Founder’s Park as the city prepares to transfer the park to the Jerome Recreation District. Craig asked about the number of water shares allocated to the park and whether future curtailment could force changes; Public Works Director Jon Caton said he would research and report back.

Building Official Kortnie Kent noted the current municipal code lacks explicit language for enforcement of damaged curb pieces on Main Street and referenced the International Property Maintenance Code as a potential source of enforceable language. Caton also presented on new street equipment, saying the "equipment would arrive at the end of May" and outlining uses for the "asphalt zipper" machine for rut and trench repairs and regrinding milled asphalt for alleys. Library Director Linda Mecham told the council the library board decided to "temporarily close the library on Saturdays and to close earlier on Thursdays and Fridays until a new library director is hired," and stated her last day would be at the end of April.

Council asked staff to investigate water allocation and code-enforcement options and to prioritize projects for the new equipment within the approved budget.