Granada Board Approves 1st Reading of Junked Vehicle Revision

Cover up your cars! After considerable discussion, the ordinance governing how derelict, inoperable or unregistered vehicles will be stored on private property was approved by the Granada Board of Trustees on first reading during their monthly meeting, Wednesday, June 13. The ordinance was revised by Granada Police Chief David Dougherty to now stipulate that a person with one untagged vehicle must keep it in the rear of their property, out of view from the front plane of their residence. The revision states that an appropriate cover for the make of the vehicle must also be used and kept in good shape. Dougherty said he will give a resident thirty days to comply from when they are first notified of the ordinance violation. The second reading and final approval of the ordinance will be held during the July board meeting.

Trevor Choate, director of the E911 Authority Board, has been explaining how Code Red emergency notifications can benefit county residents, and addressed the Granada board on how the system automatically calls residents during emergency conditions in their community. Residents can register, free of charge, to list their landlines or cell phone numbers for the emergency calls through the county of City of Lamar website or by calling the dispatch center. He also suggested that instead of residents calling the cell phones of Granada police officers for assistance directly, they go through the county dispatch instead. One reason is to maintain a legal record of a call and the other is that an officer’s cell phone may not be functioning, or the officer may not even be on duty or near their cell phone when a direct call for assistance is made. Choat said additional information on registration is being included in utility bills throughout the county. Choat also explained that the longer a ring back tone a person uses on their cell phones, the less of an emergency message they’ll receive. He said the message starts running as soon as the connection has been.

Kevin Rink, representing Southeast Network and Support discussed renting space on the Granada water tank to set up five radios for his internet company to supply service to the Granada/Bristol area. Rink, who has been in business in Lamar for the past year and seven years in Wiley, said he would match the fee now being charged by Granada to Ark Valley Internet for rental space, and told the board, that his operation would not interfere with any other operation. The board will discuss the request.

Larry Meisman brought some construction figures before the Trustees for a new roof for the Amache Water Tank. Meisman said a galvanized roof with a 25 year warranty would cost $24,460 and take about three weeks to receive the materials for the rounded roof. Discussion followed on financing the project as the city has $15,000 budgeted for repairs and the water fund is at $109,000. Attorney Darla Scranton Specht, who attended the meeting , recommended the board contact the Department of Local Affairs to inquire about a low cost loan, similar to one received by Holly for a similar project.

Granada resident Ron Silva asked in the trustees would contact the grain elevator owners regarding dust and other particulates in the air from their operation. Silva said the blowers at the elevator would run for almost five days at a time, and the dust could be harmful to the health of his neighborhood. Mayor DeForest said he and Trustee Minnie Duarte had contacted the company as late as last week. The ownership of the elevator is changing and the principals involved are working to find a solution.

Two agenda items were tabled for further information. Three companies submitted bids to clean the city’s water tanks and the board wants more information on cost and services. The other items focused on donations to the Summer Recreation Department and the future operation of the Department, new membership, revisions to by-laws and how best to develop an intergovernmental agreement between the city and school board for insurance coverage.

In other action, Trustee Jerene DeBono voted as Mayor Pro-Tem, the board will consider hiring Darla Scranton Specht as town attorney on a limited basis, tree-trimming along power lines will begin shortly, especially along alleyways. Police Chief Dougherty recommended erecting six stop or yield signs where alleys intersect with Highway 50. The board decided a building permit will be required if a landowner sets up a conex or cargo container on their property for a lengthy period, the same as a storage shed. Chip seal work will be conducted next week on ten to twelve blocks north of the town park. CDOT funds will be available in five to six weeks for the Safe Route to School project which will install curbs and gutters along Hoisington Street in time for the new school year. Sylwa’s Liquor License renewal was approved.

By Russ Baldwin