Council addresses speeding, fireworks

Members of the Rector City Council approved the placement of a new stop sign at the corner of First and Phillips Streets in a meeting Monday night, converting the busy intersection to a four-way-stop situation. Council members also passed an ordinance adjusting zoning laws to allow the occupation of apartments in the downtown area, approved a new fireworks ordinance and heard an update on economic development issues.

The matter of the stop sign on First Street first was brought to the council's attention at a previous meeting by resident Robbie Edwards. He returned Monday night with a petition signed by over 70 Rector residents who felt a stop sign was warranted.

Edwards also was joined by neighbor Jill Scott, who echoed the sentiment that traffic needed to be slowed down in the area due to the large number of children.

"I would be all for something being done about it," she said.

Another resident of the neighborhood, Robert Plant, noted speeding may be a problem in the area but added he felt the situation should be approached in a different manner.

"Speeding may be a problem," he said, "but I think it would be more appropriate to have police officers try to catch the speeders rather than stopping hundreds of drivers."

Mayor Ron Kemp added that if residents know who the speeders are, they should report them.

"If you see someone causing a problem call the police department," he said.

The resolution to place the stop sign at the corner of First and Phillips was approved unanimously, and street superintendent Todd Watson was instructed to place the new signs as soon as possible.

Council members also heard the final readings on a new fireworks ordinance. It, too, passed by a unanimous vote. The new regulation stipulates the dates on which fireworks may be used in the city, based on the day of the week on which July 4, falls.

The ordinance also sets the penalties for the misdemeanor, and those violating the law are subject to a fine of not less than $5 and no more than $50.

Ordinance 536 was approved by council members on a vote of 4-0, and sets new regulations for the presence of private dwellings in the downtown business district. In order to allow the occupation of apartments in the downtown area, council members approved the following restrictions: all apartments must have two points of ingress and egress, units must have both a kitchen and bathroom, at least two off-street parking spots must be provided for each dwelling, smoke alarms and detectors must be installed and the fire chief will make annual inspections, trash cans and refuse receptacles must be screened from view, air conditioning units and utility access must be screened from view, work on motor vehicles is restricted, noise standards must be met and owners will have 90 days to comply with the regulations.

"We've made some good progress on the jail project, the contract is signed and the easement has been secured," Kemp told the aldermen. "We're getting a few more quotes on doors and windows and it looks very good...much better than we had thought."

He added that the survey work has been completed for both the jail property and the Veteran's memorial south of that location. Kemp also updated grant funding for the training center and noted that more of the improvements will be bid soon.

"We've got 1,500 people coming to Rector this week for our (Rector Helping Hands) concert," Kemp added. "We don't want to forget the economic impact of that event."

He noted this year's concert should be even better than last year's event, adding, "A lot of people have been involved and did a lot of work. We should especially thank Bill Carter for making it possible."

In other business council:

* Heard from Police Chief Glenn Leach that several dogs had been causing problems in the city, and that at least one other pet had been killed. He noted the two dogs suspected in the incident had been impounded on Sunday and had yet to be claimed. Leach noted that any residents who have problems with dogs should report them to the P.D.

* Were told by Kemp that a letter of appreciation was being sent to the various fire departments who provided mutual aid during the lumberyard fire. A resolution of commendation also was approved and will be given to the members of the Rector Fire Department for their work in battling the blaze.

* Discussed paving several streets in the coming months, ruling out a chip/overlay process Kemp and Watson inspected at Caraway recently.

* Reviewed several condemned properties and approved a bid of $1,997.50 from Watson Construction for the razing of a residence at 115 North Fairview. Meanwhile, consideration of the other properties was tabled to allow the owners time to make other arrangements.

* The council also instructed Watson to arrange for a new concrete pad adjacent to the community center to allow the dumpster to be moved away from the flow of pedestrians. The city also is having a new concrete sidewalk poured on the east side of the building from the parking lot.

* Authorized Kemp to negotiate a demonstration of mosquito eradication prior to the Labor Day picnic and will consider the program on a regular basis at their September meeting.

* Discussed bringing city employees not covered by the state retirement fund into the program sometime in the near future.