The fate of a task force attempting to write regulations for outdoor storage on residential properties is likely to be on next week's Lewiston City Council agenda, and it's future didn't look promising Monday afternoon.
Only one person spoke in favor of continuing to work on such an ordinance at Monday afternoon's council meeting. Redgey G. Pedersen of Culdesac, a Lewiston property owner and chairman of the task force, said the council created the task force because the code enforcement officer said there wasn't anything that allowed him to regulate outdoor storage.
One option would be to expand an existing ordinance to require removal or screening of offensive items or large accumulations, he said.
Define "offensive items," Mayor Pro Tem Bradley A. Cannon said.
Definitions have been part of the problem for the task force, said Steve Campbell, the city's property maintenance officer, who recommended disbanding the task force. "It's been frustrating at times."
The task force was created because of a single complaint, Campbell said. That one hinged on a property with seven vehicles, all operable, and items stored on a carport and in a back yard, all with value, so neither an inoperable vehicle nor the litter ordinances were being violated.
He has had fewer than 10 complaints in six years regarding outdoor storage, Campbell said, and during the nine months the task force has met there has been no display of public support for an ordinance.
Pedersen, who owns property near the initial site, said the clutter reduces property values. The number of instances are increasing, he said, and if the city doesn't remove its blinders there could be a lawsuit that costs everyone.
Three people in the audience spoke in favor of disbanding the task force. Marcus Jennings said he's been appalled at some of the discussions and believes there are personal agendas involved. If not for the actions of a city employee, a very restrictive ordinance would have been railroaded through, Jennings said.
Councilor Matthew Carlson said enforcing a new ordinance would require hiring at least one more person. A recession is not the time to implement new regulations when the city should be concentrating on fundamental services, he said.
In other business:
l A contract between the city and Golf Fun, Inc., operator of Bryden Canyon Golf Course, is being renegotiated so Golf Fun can afford to pay the $1.13 million cost of a new irrigation system financed by a city enterprise fund. Interim City Manager Dan Marsh said he expects to have a recommendation for the council in about two weeks.
The irrigation system may be finished by early May, several months earlier than expected, Parks and Recreation Director Lynn C. Moss said.
l Most potential barriers to crossing the airport with a new water line that would serve property on the city's southern boundary appear to have been passed, Public Works Director Chris Davies said. Jesse (Skip) Heard, chairman of the airport's advisory commission, said he can work with the Federal Aviation Administration to meet all its regulations within 60 days, Davies said, and the city is waiting on that.
l City Attorney Don L. Roberts said he and the county prosecutor, Dan Spickler, will have a response today to a letter objecting to several aspects of a new board created to oversee operations of the jointly owned airport and some of those who have been appointed. The letter was signed by Leroy Chausse on the behalf of an anonymous group.
The joint powers agreement creating the new authority could be on both city and county agendas Monday if there are no additional changes to be made, Roberts said.
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Lee may be contacted at slee@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2266.
