Norwalk board grapples with parking concerns

By CHRIS GOUGH | For the County Line

At Monday’s Norwalk Village Board meeting, Butch Johnson pointed out to the board, specifically president Levi Helgren, that it had voted on the ordinance for parking large trucks on the streets last month, asking why it was on this month’s agenda.

Helgren responded that it was an ongoing issue that should be monitored, explaining that he was “not asking for action tonight.” In fact, he wanted “to make sure the village is doing it right.”

The new ordinance states that large trucks can park in front of the Norwalk Community Center and the churches as long as an event is not happening. Butch Johnson again expressed it was a legal process that was passed at last month’s board meeting, to which board member Kim Nofsinger said, “Any legal process is an ongoing issue.”

After a few tense moments of back and forth exchanges, Officer David Jones asked, “Where does the driver of that truck go to get the information that an event is happening?”

Village Clerk Kerry Vian responded that she does not receive information from Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers or the churches in regard to events. She did say she has some knowledge when a permit is purchased for a dance or other event at the community center. A plan will be made to encourage better communication among all parties involved so that information can be shared for future events.

The other big parking concern was alternate-side parking. Norwalk saw its first snowfall a bit earlier than usual this year, and residents were caught off guard. Officer Jones issued 124 warnings in four days. Many residents were confused as to which side to park on and when to park on Main Street after a snowfall. The board thought there was a need to help clarify the parking ordinance and a necessity to translate this information to Spanish-speaking residents. As of Nov. 15, Officer Jones will no longer issue warnings, but rather will start writing tickets.

Other business

• The Village of Norwalk held a proposed 2020 budget public hearing 15 minutes prior to its monthly regular board meeting. The only public comment was made by board member Madonna Johnson, who voiced her opinion on privatizing curbside garbage and recycling pickup. She thought the village could in the long run save money by transferring this service. Currently, the village pays roughly $24,000 per year in garbage and recycling fees. Other options were discussed, such as using paid stickers to place on homeowners’ personal garbage bags as opposed to using city bags; however, the price would remain the same. After much discussion, Johnson asked the board to consider her request to look into it and perhaps request bids from local waste management companies. No concrete conclusion was made.

• In other news, Gerke Construction has notified Public Works Director Henry Vian that it plans on being in the village to get started sometime this week on replacement of catch basins and culverts throughout the village.

• Vian believes he knows what caused the blockage in the village’s iron filter: the chemicals used to enhance the pH levels is mixing with the calcium in the water and creating a chemical reaction. The village will do further testing and formulate a plan to remedy the problem.

• The fire district, library and village budgets for 2020 were approved.

• The board will start work on a better plan and ordinance to notify village residents who are in violation for not mowing their lawns and keeping ditches along the creek banks mowed. Officer Jones said there should be a more expedient means to issue a notice that a homeowner is not in compliance. Information will be gathered, and a possible revision of the ordinance may occur sometime in the spring.

• During public comments, Madonna Johnson wanted it noted that her mother’s house at 103 Railroad St. has not been condemned, saying “one of the public officials have been the one spreading rumors.”

• The next village board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10.

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