Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Emmet Cit Council Discusses Projects; Fields Questions

A fire call interrupted the Emmet City Council meeting Thursday night, April 9.

However, it turned out to be a small grass fire, and didn't interfere with the meeting on the whole.

The council gave Emmet Mayor Ottis "Chuck" Otwell the authority to condemn property for the city's water project.

This is because some residents reneged on their original agreement to grant the city easement rights for the water line. Apparently, some of the citizenry feels 20 feet is too much for the easement.

Otwell told the council this figure came from the architect and was arrived at because of the existing sewer line. He said the architect stated the water line must be 10 feet from the sewer line to prevent possible contamination in the event of a leak.

He informed the city's governing body each such project requires a new easements for the right of way involved. Easements, he said, can't be used over and over. They can only be used for a specified purpose.

Councilman Jack Faulkner questioned a utility bill of $198 for the Chuck Wagon, asking if this was normal.

Otwell said with the fund raisers held there recently, the utilities were left on for a week, and this ran up the bill. The Chuck Wagon, he said, is expensive to operate, but this bill was not normal.

Funds for the street department are not being used at this time, and won't be until the water project is complete, Otwell said. This is because the streets will be torn up for the project and would have to be redone again.

Once the water lines are in, he said, street repair will resume.

Faulkner asked if the city was accumulating enough money to get the job done, and was informed the street department budget alone will not cover the repair expenses.

The council was informed the city purchased a new computer printer and supplies as the old printer could no longer be repaired.

A final order of business was the passage of five resolutions to condemn property which has been neglected and is run down, creating an eyesore and health hazards.

Property owners will be sent certified letters and given 30 days to take care of the matter, or the city will then go to court and get a court order to raze the structures in question and clear the property of debris.

One of these parcels is the old Texaco station and a nearby mobile home. The council talked about how someone will get hurt if nothing is done about the structure.

The council also agreed to pass a resolution to require those moving mobile homes onto land have them hooked up to utilities and be underpinned. Otherwise, these homes will be processed under the condemnation orders and the owners will have to move them.

Before the council could adjourn, Emmet resident John Clary registered several complaints.

Clary complained the city isn't strict enough on keeping city property clean, citing the city's trailer park isn't properly maintained and is now unsightly.

He said one man was doing the entire garbage run, which was hazardous because the man had to not only drive the truck, but pick up the refuse left by residents for removal.

Otwell, though, said the other man supposed to be on the garbage run didn't show, and he was glad the driver took the initiative to go ahead and get the job done.

But, Clary also complained the garbage truck bed isn't washed out often enough, and this can be a health hazard as well.

He also said there is no warning system in place on the city's well to notify residents when the well is low. He suggested it be checked twice daily for problems.

He and the council argued over the ownership of a well near the old Arkla structure.

Clary said his brother, George, never gave it to the city, but said the city could use it.

Otwell said it was his understanding the well was given to Emmet.

Faulkner said the city can't legally hook onto the well without the proper documentation, including a deed. The well would have to be enclosed to keep people out who had no business being there and, thereby protect the well.

Otwell said he would contact George Clary and try to rectify the problem.

Clary also complained about limbs not being picked up and being burned at the sewer pond.

He said the dump is closed and it isn't legal to do any burning there, adding the city can't open another dump.

Otwell said the city isn't opening another dump and the land is flat, making it perfect for burning the limbs. He said the city wouldn't consider doing the burning within the city limits.

Clary's final gripe was about the water and sewer rates at the camp sites behind the Eagles Nest.

Otwell said when his son, Mike, asked about setting up the camp sites, he (the mayor) told him to talk with the council and get its approval.

This was done. Otwell then said there is no way to establish water rates for people who won't be around for a month and tend to only stay overnight.

"He's having to pay more,"Otwell said of his son. "Mike isn't being given anything. There are no freebies."

The council finally adjourned to end the meeting.