City finally buys used dump truck

By Angela Guillory

aguillory@casscountynow.com

Linden city council members finally approved the purchase of a much needed dump truck during their regular meeting on Feb. 11 at the Mary Daughety Senior Citizens Center.

The city has been in dire need of a dump truck for several years but has been unable to find anything within their budget, said Mayor Clarence Burns. After the city’s dump truck finally bit the dust a few months ago it was obvious something needed to be done.

After diligent searching city employee Robert Luzio located a refurbished dump truck in Kansas City and informed the council about it during last month’s meeting. Council members agreed to make the purchase if it met the city’s criteria.

A month later the council unanimously approved the $18,000 expense. On Thursday, Mayor Burns went to pick up the dump truck.

In other business, Marlon Sullivan asked council to sign a resolution designating 305 Highway 8 North as a revitalization area. The council agreed to the request.

The resolution states the city has a goal to revitalize the designated area and has adopted the revitalization plan to promote affordable housing opportunities for families and seniors with income levels at least 20 percent of all low-income units at 50 percent or less of the area median income.

Sullivan said the units were built in 1983 and will be completely renovated if funding is approved in July.

Council members approved submission of a grant application for the Anti-Drug/Crime Prevention Project to the Office of the Governor, Criminal Justice Division. If funding is approved the project will be conducted through the Linden Police Department for the fiscal year 2013-14 beginning Sept. 1, 2013, and ending Aug. 31, 2014.

The council accepted a tax resale bid of $400 from Angela R. Maxie for half an acre located south of 155 on Woodard Street. The former owner was Howard L. Smith. The property was struck off the tax rolls in 2005 with a market value of $3,270. Approval is still needed from the school district before the sale is final.

A delinquent tax status report for the city was presented by Tabb Beall of Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott LLP, Attorneys at Law. Beall said the city has a total of $38,127.50 in uncollected delinquent taxes. This amount is an accumulation going back to 1983.

The law firm works to collect those unclaimed taxes for the city.

Diane Hulme, interim HOT Program administrator, presented the Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax Report for 2012 fourth quarter. The account balance as of Dec. 31, 2012, was $1,881.74 and includes a grant for $2,500 awarded to T-Bone Walker Blues Fest. She noted a fourth quarter payment was received on Jan. 22 for $1,807.70.

Council members agreed to seek bids to repair ground water storage tank #1.They also approved a $5,000 computer model of the water system to assist in making repairs.

Police Chief Alton McWaters presented a racial profiling report as required by law once a year as a matter of record.

The council voted to hire an animal control officer temporarily to do a sweep of the city. McWaters said his department receives calls daily concerning strays and animals roaming loose. The chief said most appeal to be strays and the cost is $21 per animal to euthanize if they are not claimed in three days.