Downtown Leesburg, corner of Van Buren and Pearl streets. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

LEESBURG — Everyone’s patience has a limit — and it seems that Leesburg Council members have reached theirs.

The topic of nonpayment of violations was revisited at the town council meeting Monday, Oct. 12. Last month, Attorney Vern Landis told council members that in order to enforce nonpayment, a lawsuit would need to be filed in small claims court.

When Leesburg Street Commissioner Craig Charlton pointed out during Monday night’s meeting that eight parking violations were issued for a vehicle on Van Buren Street and an additional four warning tags were issued for another vehicle on Van Buren Street for blocking a public right of way, town council members apparently decided they’d been lenient long enough.

Charlton will provide Landis with a list of names and violations in order to pursue legal action. 

In another matter, town council addressed continuing issues with electric “locates” last month. The town currently has a contract with USIC Locating Services.

Moore said at that time that it be beneficial if someone from USIC could attend a council meeting.

Landis sent a letter to the company, requesting that a USIC representative attend Monday night’s meeting; however, no one from the company attended Monday’s meeting.

Council members requested that Landis send a letter to the company’s corporate headquarters asking that a representative attend the next meeting. 

Last month, it was suggested that the golf cart ordinance may need to be amended to include dirt bikes, motorized scooters and mini bikes. 

“It needs to state that anybody under the age of 16 cannot operate those vehicles on city streets,” Council President Doug Jones said Monday. 

“That’s an admirable goal,” Council Member Tom Moore said. “However, you’re not going to educate the promiscuous parent. You can write anything on a piece of paper you want. We just had an example of someone getting eight citations and they haven’t acknowledged them so…”

“We are acknowledging that there is a problem by passing the ordinance and we are doing what we can to keep somebody from getting hurt,” Jones said. “We’ve done our due diligence. We can enforce it the best we can. That’s all we can do.”

Leesburg Town Council Vice President Christina Archer

Landis will amend the ordinance to include motorized vehicles, electric or gas-powered.

In recent months, council members have discussed revisiting the topic of a Kosciusko County Area Plan commission membership.

Kosciusko County Area Plan Director Dan Richard was invited to attend Monday’s meeting. Richard reviewed the functions of the APC and answered questions from council members and residents.

Richard said the APC would work with council members to establish different zoning districts for every tract of ground in town.

“Mainly we work for you, whether you’re a member or not,” Richard said. “And if you do become a member, we just get a little more closely associated with you.”

No decision was made at Monday night’s meeting regarding APC membership. 

Leesburg town officials would like residents to be aware of the following:

• No parking on any street between 3-5 a.m.
  No burning
  Please be mindful of what you flush
  Speed limits in town are 25 mph

In other matters:

• Trick-or-treat is scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.
• The 2021 budget, with a total budget amount of $264,496, was adopted. 
• In March, a sewer rate reduction for churches, bars and restaurants was also approved. A decision was made at Monday’s meeting to return to regular rates effective Nov. 1.
• Town Council Vice-President Christina Archer is continuing to work on the application for the K21 Foundation walkways and bikeways project.
• A public hearing for the transfer of funds from the EDIT fund to the Roads and Streets fund was held and a motion was made and approved to make the transfer for the Van Buren Street curb project. 
• The next regular meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Nov. 9.