Elmo Council passes mobile home ordinance

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The Elmo City council held their monthly council meeting on April 1. There was a public comment period for the proposed changes to the Elmo zoning ordinance. These proposed changes were in reference to mobile homes. Mobile homes can not be attached to any existing dwellings or mobile homes. Mobile homes can not be older than 10 years from present. The size of dwellings shall not be less than 550 square feet and 600 square feet for each additional dwelling unit, provided the requirement shall not apply to mobile homes situated within an approved mobile home park. The outside dimensions of a mobile home should not be less than 24 feet by 24 feet. A mobile home can not be attached to an existing dwelling or mobile home.
Concerns were heard from citizens. One citizen remarked Elmo City did not want a mobile home park in Elmo. The council said they are not trying to prohibit mobile home parks. If someone wants to put in a mobile home park they will have to go through planning and zoning to get the permit and meet all of the requirements set forth by the county and city. He also thought there were too many stipulations included in the new ordinance. The council does not want someone to move in to the city and find a way to circumvent the new and existing ordinance so they covered all aspects of mobile homes concerning size and attachments to existing homes or existing mobile homes.
Another citizen plans on adding a large family room to her mobile home. She wanted to know if she would be allowed to add the addition. The council explained the new ordinance does not prohibit adding a stick built structure to an existing mobile home. The council passed the ordinance unanimously.
Molly Skelley and Lisa informed the council this would be their last year to oversee Horse and Buggy days. The council will advertise for a person(s) to oversee the event. Molly and Lisa will help the council find someone to replace them.
The city needs a representative to attend the branding committee meetings. The committee will assist the city in promoting tourism. A citizen in the audience volunteered to be on the committee and will attend the next meeting. Delena Fish will send her information to Tina Carter, who will let her know when the next meeting is. Councilman Stoney Jensen will also attend the meeting.
The person who was supposed to be performing community service hours has performed some of his service hours but has not contacted the council since he began his initial work. The next time he wants to perform community service hours he needs to contact the council and receive instructions from them as to where to clean up.
The council approved the sidewalk projects for 2015. They will utilize the priority list. The sidewalk project should be coming to a conclusion this year. Next year the city would like to start on some road projects.
Councilman Dallen Skelly gave an update on the tractor/mower. The mower can be taken in for maintenance or the service company will come to Elmo and look at the mower. There will be a service charge involved. The warranty should cover the repair. Councilman Stoney Jensen will take it in for maintenance the third week of April.
The council approved a business license for the Rusty Nail Boutique.
A property in town had a water leak. The water bill is $174. As soon as the property owners found out about the leak they fixed it. The council voted to forgive half of the water bill.
A citizen in town continues to be delinquent in his/her water bill. Delena Fish will send a certified letter to the citizen and have the citizen come and talk to the city about the water bill.
The city budget hearing will be next month.