Allen Brown was elected City Council President on Monday
The Washington City Council spend the first part of their meeting last night organizing for the new year. Councilman Allen Brown was chosen as the Council President Pro-Tem for 2016, Councilmen Jason Petty and Mike Singleton were appointed to the Board of Public Works and Safety, and Tim Dant was sworn in as City Attorney.
Washington’s City Council is looking at changes in the City’s regulations on the placement of mobile homes outside of mobile home parks. According to the proposed ordinance, existing mobile homes in the city would not be affected until the need to be replaced. Replacements could be no more than 10 years old and would need to meet all federal and state codes. Also, no new trailers could be placed without the written approval of all surrounding property owners and approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals. Type 1 and 2 manufactured homes are not affected. Washington Building Commissioner Bryan Sergesketter said the change would shore up the City’s requirements and give more control over the age and condition of mobile homes in the City.
At the Board of Works and Safety meeting following the council session, bids were opened for a new sub-station transformer at the SW 11th Street Substation. Electric Department Supt. Randy Emmons told the board the transformer dates from 1968, and is the oldest in the system. Emmons said it had been repaired at least three times in the last 18 months. Bids on the project were taken under advisement and consultation with an engineer.
The Board approved the Employee Wellness Program, and approved a raise to $130 the cold weather clothing allowance for city workers. Mayor Wellman said the last change in the allowance had been signed by former Mayor Tom Baumert more than twelve years ago.