Officials are considering changes to the current ordinance prohibiting parking in the town between the hours of 3-5 a.m. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

LEESBURG — Officials are considering changes to the current ordinance prohibiting parking in town between the hours of 3-5 a.m.

At the  Leesburg Town Council meeting Monday, March 14, Town Attorney Nick Jacobs of Rockhill Pinnick LLP, provided an update on the court status of unpaid fines for repeated ordinance violations.

Former Town Attorney Vern Landis sent letters in November 2021 to three individuals cited several times for repeated violations regarding parking.

When there was no response to the demand letters, lawsuits were filed, with hearings scheduled last month.

Jacobs said two cases have been resolved. The third case is still outstanding, with a hearing set for April 22. 

Councilman Doug Jones, who was not in attendance at Monday night’s meeting, had previously suggested making a change to the current ordinance regarding illegal parking.

According to Council Vice President Tom Moore, town officials are considering a three strike system that would involve a warning for the first violation and a violation notice for the second incident. If a third violation occurred, the vehicle would be impounded. 

Moore said it has taken a year to resolve some violations. This delay results in more problems, such as some individuals moving away, making it more difficult to contact them.

“We need to have a quicker resolution to this,” Moore said. “What we’ve been doing needs to be changed.”

Officials will discuss the matter further at the April meeting.

Regarding the proposed traffic control agreement between Leesburg and Claypool, Moore said the town has found a way to add this as a rider to their insurance policy. The Town of Claypool will no longer be involved, as the agreement will now be only between Leesburg and Claypool Town Marshal Ben Sanders. Moore said they hope to have some resolution to this by next month’s meeting.

In another matter, Leesburg Sanitary Sewer Commissioner Derek Tenney said a service call to a rental home on Van Buren Street led to the discovery of wipes, a toothbrush, and razor caps in the sewer pump. 

There was discussion regarding who should hand out sewer violation notices – Tenney or town officials. They also discussed who should receive the notice in cases involving rental properties – the renters or the property owner. 

“It probably should come from our office because it is a town ordinance,” Moore said.

Jacobs suggested that a notice be sent to both the renter and the property owner, in order to ensure all parties are aware of the issue.

Leesburg Street Commissioner Craig Charlton pointed out that 75% of their sewer pumps fail because of foreign material, such as wipes, being flushed down toilets. 

Wipes are not permitted in the septic system, even if the packaging on the wipes implies they are flushable.

“I would always hope that eventually someday everyone will understand to ignore the label on the package of wipes,” Moore said.

Moore stated that these types of violations could result in sewer rates increasing.

“Unfortunately, it’s a very small percent that is going to cause everybody to pay dearly,” Charlton said.

In other news: 

• A service agreement with Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation in the amount of $3,000 annually was approved.
• Town officials would like to remind residents of the following: No parking on any street between 3-5 a.m. (every day); no burning anything anytime; and please be mindful of what you flush.
• An additional appropriation was approved in order to transfer funds between accounts.
• The next regular meeting will be 6:30 p.m. April 11.

Leesburg Street Commissioner Craig Charlton is obtaining quotes for phase 3 of the Van Buren Street curb project. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels