City limits services of library

The services of the Burton Memorial Library were limited following action by the Clarendon City Council during its regular meeting July 27.

According to the city minutes, Sharon Henson Winfrey addressed the council and expressed her concern over declining movie rental sales due to the library checking out movies for free. Ms. Winfrey asked for the library to start charging for movies or to remove them all together. She said she does not believe she should have to be in competition with the city library.

Council members explained that the library belongs to the Harrington Library Consortium and movies are one of the services offered by all the libraries.

Aldermen approved a motion to limit the age of movies checked out at the Library for no charge to five years and older from their release date.

In other city business, Carol Holden reported on the remediation of code compliance issues for her property at 702 S. Carhart. She told Council that she was limited on funds and has tried to come down as often as she could to work on the property. Ms. Holden is trying to sell the property and said she would work on the property as often as she can. Mayor Sandy Skelton asked her to do her best to keep the property mowed.

Aldermen considered and approved an amendment to Ordinance #338 that establishes a non-resident rate for dumping limbs at the Citizens Convenience Center. The minimum charge for a non-resident will be $10, and a trailer load minimum will be $16.

A resolution was approved to engage Government Capital Securities Corp. as a financial advisor for the city.

The city council also approved a motion to claim a lien for reimbursement of costs and expenses incurred in abating the dangerous structure located at 512 S. Sully Street in the amount of $7,488.24

Aldermen discussed the tax rate for fiscal year 2018 and voted to approve the proposed effective tax rate of .733821 per $100 valuation with .278885 being debt rate and .454938 being maintenance and operation rate. The effective rate brings in the same money the city received in the preceding year.

Administrator David Dockery distributed the requested time line he received from Linda Lewis for compliance of the property located at 602 S. Bugbee Avenue.

Mayor Skelton distributed a letter from Walt Knorpp informing Council on how fortunate the residents of the City of Clarendon are to have David Dockery as our city administrator. It is Mr. Knorpp’s opinion that Mr. Dockery is the best administrator the city has ever employed.