At its regular monthly meeting Monday, the council approved a memorandum of agreement for contracting services “as needed” from Walker County Planning.
According to Walker County planning director Kelia Kimbell, Rossville, as an urbanized area, has been brought under the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, a federal mandate from the Environmental Protection Agency.
The requirements include things such as implementing erosion control measures for any land disturbance activity over more than one acre.
“The city doesn’t have anyone on staff that is qualified to administer the program, so they’ve asked for the county’s help,” said Kimbell, adding that it is a burden on the cities.
The agreement has yet to be approved by Walker County Commissioner Bebe Heiskell, Kimbell said, but if so would allow for Rossville to pay by the hour for services from her department.
She said these services would include public education and awareness, issuing erosion control permits, investigating any complaint calls, and subdivision plan review.
“As far as erosion control is concerned, we’ll treat the city’s subdivisions like they’re in the county,” said Kimbell.
She said the assistance would not include any record keeping or administration of “housekeeping” programs like recycling or street sweeping.
Rossville city maintenance supervisor Phil Morton will work with Kimbell to prepare a report to the state Environmental Protection Division on what the city plans to do.
“We’ve got about six or seven best management practices that we’ve got to do — things like education and communication about pollution to the public and such,” Morton said.
The report is due to the state by Dec. 9.
“It will take all of us working together to stay up on this,” said Rossville Mayor Johnny Baker. “We’ll have to watch out for places like construction sites without silt screens where mud is running down the street.”
In other council business Monday:
* Mayor Baker announced that a letter was sent to the owners of the Woodland Apartments advising them of the numerous complaints about disturbances in their complex on Hogan Road. The owners responded that they issued notices to all residents that they will be subject to citation and legal action, which may include eviction if it is determined that they are the offending party.
* Council member Ted Harris informed the council of the problem of wooden signs being attached to telephone poles along McFarland Avenue. Harris said some of the signs are large enough to obstruct the view of drivers along the road. Mayor Baker asked city maintenance supervisor Phil Morton to look into the situation.
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