Lynch City Council took measures on Tuesday to pass an ordinance pertaining to the removal of junk and abandoned vehicles within the city limits. During a regularly scheduled meeting, a first reading of the ordinance was held.
In the ordinance, an abandoned vehicle is described as being any motor vehicle to which the last registered owner has relinquished all further dominion and control. It is also described as any vehicle which is wrecked, partially dismantled or inoperative for a period of 30 days.
The ordinance further stipulates a vehicle is defined as a machine propelled by power, other than human power, designed to travel along the ground by use of wheels, treads, runners or slides and transport persons or property, or pull machinery, and includes automobiles, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, tractors, buggies and wagons.
City Clerk Erica Eldridge read in the ordinance “the accumulation and storage of these junk and abandoned vehicles does constitute a public nuisance, as well as fire, health and sanitation hazards.”
The ordinance reads whenever it appears a violation of the provisions of the ordinance exists, the chief of police or mayor will give written notice to the registered owner and the person or persons who have lawful possession of the private property, where the vehicle is located, advising them they are in violation of the ordinance.
They will be directed to move their vehicle or vehicles to a place of storage within 10 days or place them in a building within 10 days.
The penalty for violation of the ordinance will be a fine of not more than $500, and the Lynch Police Department will have the authority to go onto the private property and remove the vehicles at a cost to the owner. This will only be done after two notices have been sent and a fine assessed.
A second reading of the ordinance will be held at the city’s next scheduled meeting in July at which time it will go into effect.
In other action:
*A first reading of the city’s annual budget ordinance for 2013-2014 was held;
*Council approved an increase in lot rent at a city owned trailer park, located on Trailer Park Road, to $100 per month to go into effect at the end of the contracts presently signed;
*Council asked the police department to begin more patrols on Rock Barn Alley, First Street and Second Street in the city.
Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510, ext. 115, nsizemore@civitasmedia.com










