Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Volunteers Found For Beautification In Gurdon

Some volunteers have come forward to help with the proposed beautification committee.

At the regular monthly meeting of the Gurdon City Council, Monday, July 10, Gurdon Mayor Rick Smith said this would be a permanent committee.

However, he added, before it gets underway, the objectives must first be determined.

This committee, he said, will advise the council, but have no fiscal responsibility, unless its members have to attend a seminar or other out of pocket expenses.

The first idea, Smith said, is to come up with ideas to beautify the city, including identifying property needing to be cleaned up and/or condemned.

A definition of what an eyesore is will be needed, he said.

There are ordinances on the books concerning unkempt properties and those needing to be condemned. But, these ordinances don't have provisions for non-running vehicles on private property, only non-running vehicles on the city's right-of-way if they don't have a current, valid license.

However, the committee can recommend if copies of the ordinance be posted on properties it believes need to be cleaned up or razed.

The committee, Smith said, can propose ordinances to the council for the purpose of keeping the city clean.

Another idea brought forth was returning to the Yard of the Month. This was done in years past, but went by the wayside.

Smith said the clean-up ordinances have been on the books in Gurdon since 1983 or 1984, but have never been enforced.

Now, he said, the city is gearing up to enforce these laws. First, the properties in question will have to be identified, located and files created.

But, he added, the city will not be tearing down all the houses needing it at one time. This is because of the cost involved.

Owners of these properties will be sent registered letters to let them know they need to either clean up their land or tear down any structures on it.

It will be less expensive if they do it, instead of waiting for the city to, Smith said.

Currently, he said, more than 50 buildings have been identified as being in violation of these ordinances.

Private citizens, he told the council, can make anonymous reports about houses needing to be cleaned up or torn down. Their names will be kept confidential, but no calls should be made just because neighbors don't like one another.

Smith said anyone interested in being on the committee should contact him at City Hall, 353-2514.