Fontanelle city council works to better define a structure

The Fontanelle City Council discussed next steps for better clarifying the definition of a structure in the building permit portion of city code, during their Monday, Nov. 21 regular meeting.

The council had previously examined lowering the fine for building without a permit from $1,000 to $100. The fine was raised to deter people from building anything without a permit.

A major topic of discussion during the meeting was what City Attorney Justin Hockenberry described as a lack of a clear definition of a structure in city code to begin with.

Hockenberry then presented the council with two possible definitions of a structure. The first definition was, “any structure utilized or intended for sheltering any occupancy.” The second was, “any structure designed or intended for the support, enclosure, shelter or protection of persons, animals or property.”

“That’s a little broader,” he said of the second option.

The council moved to move forward with the second definition and to officially adopt the definition through a public hearing process. The new ordinance, by the council’s decision, would include fence and decks. Those looking to update their deck without enlarging its footprint would not need a building permit.

A resident asked the cost of a building permit, and they are $25.

The council talked about the possibility of non-permanent structures, such as structures on wheels or skids. Hockenberry said he could not tell them what to do, however he advised that these structures be subject to a building permit process because of the need to make sure they are not impeding on right-of-ways or utilities.

“I think your method for ensuring the location of everything is to require a building permit. I’m sorry if I’m stepping over the line and telling you guys policy, but why not have it one-size-fits-all?,” Hockenberry asked. He said the second definition that he shared would include sheds, garages, car ports and chicken coops.

No official vote was taken on lowering the amount of the fine for building without a building permit.

Mowing contract

The city received one bid for mowing of city-owned properties, from Country Blooms Gardenscapes of rural Greenfield, in the amount of $12,500 per year.

The council decided to table the matter in order to get more information on the cost of purchasing their own mower and supplying their own employee to mow the lawns. The council agreed that the up front costs would be great, however they wanted to know the cost of the venture going forward before awarding a bid for a contractor to mow. The council discussed that going forward there would be maintenance costs to take into consideration, such as fuel, mower blades, and more.