UC considers yard sale ordinance

By DONNA RYDER
Associate Editor
In an effort to get a handle on the number of continuous yard sales within the city limits of Union City, city officials may soon take steps to limit the number and length of yard sales held here.
Union City city council members were presented with a recommendation from its planning commission to limit the number of yard sales to three within a 12-month period, so long as any one sale does not extend more than three days.
A yard sale is described in the ordinance presented to the city council as “a temporary sale of used household belongings, typically held outdoors at the home of the seller.” It also states those sales being utilized to sell “non-household belongings shall be considered a commercial enterprise.”
City manager Kathy Dillon said the city wants to keep it simple, but if the yard sales cannot be kept under control the city may have to go to a permit system and start keeping records.
Mayor Terry Hailey said he believes neighbors will help and will report residents if it “gets out of hand.”
The two readings of the ordinance will be placed on future agendas for the council to consider for a vote.
In other business, after the meeting was opened in prayer by city attorney Jim Glasgow Jr., the council:
• Postponed board and commission appointments to Parks and Conservation and to Health, Education and Housing Facility as no one had any recommendations for the open seats.
• Agreed to seek bids for the demolition of property at 620 North Ury St. and at 604 Glendale St.
• Discussed property at the corner of College and Home streets and learned the contractor is waiting until he can get some dry dirt to finish the project there.
• Was informed Discovery Park of America plans to open on Oct. 1 and the city must have turning lanes and an access road done by that time. Hailey said the state needs to deed property to the city for that purpose and all the city needs to do is make a request.
Ms. Dillon said the city is closer than expected because the plans for the projects have already been submitted by DPA’s engineer and approved by the state. The city is checking now to make sure no state regulations have changed that would affect those plans. The council will discuss these projects more during the next orientation.
• Asked what is being done about the Greenway Recover and Recycle property. Councilman Bill “Rat” Harrison said, “It is pitiful, pitiful and nothing is getting done.”
Jimmy Temple, with planning and codes, informed the council he was to sit down with the property owner today. He said owners of the business have piled products on the property where they will be easily accessible to be hauled off. Owners had asked permission to bury the items on site, but that request had been denied.
Harrison said even if the owners started today, it would take a year to haul it all off.
Temple said the city must follow “the process” and the property owner could be cited into court if the property does not get cleaned up.
• Was asked if the city is still picking up dogs.
Ms. Dillon said while the city was getting the management of the animal control department under the city, the only animals which were being picked up were those which were considered a nuisance. She said she just directed that department to start patrolling to pick up dogs and cats which are at-large.
Police Chief Perry Barfield said the department, which falls under the police department, picked up at least 10 animals on Monday.
Barfield said anyone who has an animal complaint should call the police department at 885-1515.
• Discussed the status of the former Reelfoot Packing Co. building. Temple said the city is currently seeking a grant and should know in May whether or not it will be offered to the city.
Ms. Dillon said the grant is only for a study to determine what kind of contamination is in the building. It will not cover the demolition or clean up of the property.
Associate Editor Donna Ryder can be contacted by email at dryder@ucmessenger.com.

Published in The Messenger 2.6.13