The Italy City Council announced its Fall Clean-Up Day scheduled Saturday, Nov. 20, at its monthly meeting held Monday evening.

Teri Murdock, city administrator, said the city will provide two dumpsters at the city water barn. They will begin accepting trash at 8 a.m. The event ends when the dumpsters are full.

In other business, the council approved a request from Cynthia Montgomery regarding a tax ceiling on property taxes for permanently disabled citizens.

Montgomery said she is not seeking a tax ceiling for all disabled citizens, just those totally disabled under the age of 65.

She said they are in the same boat as senior citizens, dependent on social security. She added that they, social security recipients, have not seen a rate increase in two years.

Following her request, the council passed ordinance #10-1108-01 unanimously.

The council also approved ordinance #10-1108-02 and repealed ordinance #08-1013-04 that dealt with re-establishing cross-connection backflow prevention regulations to protect the city’s water supply from contamination or pollution due to pluming cross-connections or backflow.

Dean Carrell, public works director, said this ordinance is a state requirement. He said it helps the city better regulate what is in the water system. He added this ordinance pertains to new home construction, major remodels, restaurants and sprinkler systems.

This ordinance replaces one passed in 2008 that did not include all legal requirements and fees.

The council approved a contract agreement with Gary Burton Engineering, Inc.

Murdock said Burton brought the agreement to the council last month. She said the city attorney has reviewed and agreed to the agreement, which includes a rate schedule.

The council also approved resolution #10-1108-01 pertaining to the city’s investment policy.

Currently, Murdock said the city has investments with TexSTAR that currently pays one percent interest. She said the local banks pay two percent and up.

During department reports for October, Lt. David Gray presented the police, animal control and code enforcement reports in the absence of Chief C.V. Johns.

Gray said officers were called to service 140 times during the month, making two felony, four misdemeanor and two traffic warrant arrests. Officers worked/trained a total of 1209 hours. The warrant officer served two warrants last month. The animal control officer issued two citations, one warning and worked 24 hours.

Carrell presented a report to the council that included water, sewer, wastewater treatment and street work done in October. He praised his staff for containing a chlorine leak that could have been a dangerous situation.

The court received 430 citations from the police department and cleared 10 warrants.

Murdock said Ellis County has completed the street repairs

She noted that DCI swept Main Street on Friday and a company came in on Sunday to stripe the downtown parking area. There were equipment issues so they will return Sunday to complete the downtown striping project.

Mayor Frank Jackson reminded citizens about the annual Christmas Festival set Dec. 4 and 5.

Council member Rodney Guthrie was not present at the meeting.