City Council: Sparks Apartments will come down

ROYAL - According to City Finance Officer Greg Pike, the Sparks Apartments, located at 310 Acacia St., will soon be no more.

City Attorney Katherine Kenison brought up the subject at the Royal City Council meeting of Feb. 3. She said the city had been authorized by court order to post notices at the site to inform tenants to vacate immediately.

There are no more tenants at the building, Pike said. That was the next-to-final step in a two-year process to remove the building. Pike said that will occur.

In other business, the city repealed an ordinance and enacted one related to latecomer contracts in housing developments. They would expire after 20 years instead of the current 15.

The council passed an ordinance that allows it to go back one year to re-pay overpayment of taxes to the city by businesses such as cell phone services.

The council also repealed an ordinance titled "firearms" because the state ruled the city is no longer exempt from the prohibition law.

A motion was made to approve travel for John Lasen and Keith Hebdon to travel to Monterrey, California to drive a sewer jetter truck back to Royal City. They have completed that assignment,

The sewer jetter equipment was purchased to enhance the City's ability to maintain sewer lines and prevent blockages. The unit forces the removal of clogs either by a jet stream of water or by vacuum suction.

The Council was informed that some tenants of Royal Coachman reported sewer blockages. The City determined that the sewer problems are contained to Royal Coachman's property.

The Grant County Health District was notified. Pike said no sewage entered homes, but it was found on the surface outdoors.

City Planner Darryl Piercy reported that the Rock Creek Development is progressing. Concrete work is underway on one house, with four more houses planned for the first phase.

Mayor Kent Andersen reported that multiple bids have been received for the road project. He is pleased with the bids and is positive about moving forward with the project.

Anderson reported to the Council that Royal High Ag teacher Rick Kannely would like to construct a barn near the bus garage by the school. This would require special approval by the Council. No action was taken at the meeting.