While it seems like Beardstown citizens may need a GPS to get around town with all the streets closed due to construction of new pipes, there is an end in sight.
Public Works Director Gary Hamilton told Beardstown City Council Tuesday night that he is hopeful the construction will be completed the week of June 20, depending on weather and other unforeseen surprises. The city is appreciative of the community’s patience during this time.
A Zoning Ordinance that was to amend various provisions to better define accessory uses and building structures was not approved.
At Beardstown’s City Council meeting on May 21st, after much discussion and voiced concerns from local citizens, the council voted against the ordinance.
Beardstown Police Chief Martin Coad approached the Beardstown City Council‘s May 7th meeting to discuss the Safety Accountability, Fairness and Equity – Today (SAFE-T) Act.This new law makes changes to the Law Enforcement Officer-Worn Body Camera Act to require all law enforcement agencies to implement the use of body cameras within a prescribed timeline. Chief Coad said Beardstown’s timeline is December 31, 2024. That means, the cameras must be purchased, in place and operational by that time or the department will be out of compliance with this new state law.
At the March 5th Beardstown City Council meeting, members heard from Benton & Associates Representative Ben Spreen about getting a proposed plan in place by April 15th regarding replacing all lead service lines in Beardstown water lines. This is mandated by the EPA to be done.
Zoning Officer John Schnepper presented to the Beardstown city council meeting Tuesday, February 20, changes to the zoning ordinance regarding garages on lots and empty lots in Beardstown. The days of large machine sheds and pole barns are over. Garages will no longer be allowed to be taller than a person’s dwelling nor will it be allowed to have a second story.
Members of the Virginia Beautification Committee attended the Monday night council meeting to report that their recent bingo fundraiser was very successful. They’ve planned for proceeds from their last two fundraisers to go toward doing much needed maintenance and repair on the 111-year-old courthouse lawn bandstand. They also have word that their project will be recipient of a popular annual benefit called “The Virginia Open” scheduled for April 20.
Roger Lauder, Cass County Emergency Director, spoke to the city council Tuesday, February 6th regarding the Cass County All Hazard Mitigation Plan.
First, he wanted to explain to the council the meeting of mitigation. For the purpose of disaster management, mitigation is the process of taking action before a disaster occurs to reduce its impact and risk whether it be structural or non-structural. Having this plan in place opens the county and/or city up to mitigation dollars offered through the federal government. If the county/city does not have such a plan
Many items were discussed at special Beardstown Council meeting held Tuesday, January 30th
Speed bumps will become a thing of the past in Beardstown in residential areas. An ordinance regulating speed bumps will be voted on at the next city council meeting on February 6th. Any current speed bumps in residential areas will be removed and no further speed bumps will be allowed. The only speed bumps that will be allowed within city limits are the ones in parks, on private property and businesses.
Beardstown City Council met Tuesday, January 16th, to discuss amending various building codes.
Several members of the council questioned the section on mobile homes and wished to exclude it until they had discussed it further. They voted on the rest of the ordinance excluding section 7. All council members voted in favor except Dawn Seward, who voted against it.
The Beardstown City Council met for a New Year’s meeting on January 2, 2004 to discuss the new Building and Zoning Ordinance that John Schnepper has been working on for several months now. Schnepper asked the council to really take a good look at it once the city attorney, Jeff Soltermann, returned it to the council. Schnepper said he had made a few minor changes before turning it over to the city attorney for the final draft. He said some badly