The City of Waterloo is urging residents to take heed of city ordinances concerning yard debris and RV-living.
During its City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 9, the council revisited a common topic: yards filled with trash or old cars, and people living in RVs, both of which violate city ordinances.
In one case, a person who was supposed to be staying only temporarily in an RV on someone’s property continues to say he needs a little more time. City Recorder David Reed recently told the property owner he will begin getting fined for the violation after one more week.
In another case, a groundskeeper living in an RV on someone’s property in exchange for the yardwork came into the council’s discussion.
The property owner had asked the council during their meeting last March to consider providing some sort of hardship clause or similar resolution regarding RV habitation, as she is unable to care for the property herself and needs the groundskeeper there to help her.
The council had agreed at that time to discuss ideas at a future council meeting.
It is the city’s understanding that the RV is not hooked up to septic, and it appears electricity is being supplied by an extension cord, both of which present a safety concern.
Reed noted the city gets a lot of complaints about RV tenants, and the council needs to consider that if they allow a variance for one person in this type of situation, they have to give everyone the same opportunity.
Concerns about “junk cars” and other trash sitting on properties were also briefly mentioned.
After some discussion, the council decided to post and hand out letters to every resident informing them of upcoming community events, along with a reminder about related city ordinances and clean up day that will give them a chance to dump their debris.
The council also voted to enforce the city’s ordinance regarding RVs.
In other business:
- Following some discussion on whether the paving of a driveway required a building permit, the council determined that it did not, and they allowed a resident to complete her project without any further delay.
- A resident updated the council on his plans to add a bedroom and bathroom in his basement. Before the county approves anything, the property owner must work out setback requirements. To do that, he is considering combining his two tax lots into one.
- The council confirmed community dates for the summer. A citywide yard sale will be held July 23-26, a city clean up and dumpster day will be July 27, and the chili cookoff and picnic will be Aug. 15 at noon.
- Reed is scheduling time with Waterloo’s former city recorder Cathy Nelson, to work out kinks in the budget process, as Reed continues learning his new position with the city.
- The council approved a 100-hour cap per month for the city recorder and Nelson for the next six months to catch the city up on older documents that were not filed correctly, other backlogs of city work needed, and training.
- Reed reported he informed a resident on Davis Street about fines they will begin accruing if they don’t clean up trash that violates the city ordinance. The property has since been getting cleared up.
- The council learned that a property owner on 2nd Street had built a wall around an easement or public right of way after the city approved them to build only to a certain distance.
- The council considered ways they could tie down the bus shelters throughout the city.
- Councilor Bill Young reported the city is required to have a flagpole with the U.S., Oregon State and POW/MIA flags.