The Italy City Council voted Monday night to place a 40-yard dumpster at the wastewater treatment plant for resident use.
 
Teri Murdock, city administrator, said officials with DCI said they would leave a dumpster at the site. As it gets full, the cost will be $575 to empty.
 
Initial plans are for those wanting to discard a truck or trailer load of trash to come by city hall, make payment and then go to the dumpster.
 
Dean Carroll, water superintendent, said someone from his department would be onsite to oversee as residents discard items.
 
Mark Souder Sr., council member, stressed the fact that they cannot accept tires, batteries and things with Freon. Murdock said DCI will accept tires and batteries but added that they will pick up these items separately.
 
A final cost per pick up load or per trailer load has yet to be established.
 
Murdock said this is a convenience for the citizens.
 
In other business, Murdock updated members about progress at Upchurch Field.
 
She said the IYAA donated $5,000 to continue the construction of the concession stand.
 
The building and restrooms are up and functional. She said Jimmy Weaver has roughed in the electrical. She said the existing restroom facilities will remain in place and will be handicap accessible.
 
Murdock added that they would gladly accept donations to complete the project.
 
Mackey Graves addressed the council regarding the use of the railroad easement that runs along the city cemetery.
 
The Italy Cemetery Association approached the council last year to allow them to add an additional entry/exit to the cemetery. They never reached a decision at that time.
 
Following discussion Monday night, the council approved the addition of a one-way exit along the railroad right-of-way to Simms Street.
 
Graves said they would install a gate at Simms Street and would open it when a funeral is in progress.
 
Judi Rowe, a resident whose property runs along the right-of-way, questioned who would maintain the road and ditch.
 
Graves said it would be up to the cemetery association to build a road, install a culvert and clear scrub trees and brush.
 
Ray Loveless, manager of South Ellis County WSC asked the council to join them and issue a 30-day notice for the Smokehouse and the Shell Center to correct water line issues.
 
Loveless said water lines were improperly installed when the complex was built He said the City of Italy was to provide water to the jerky factory and SEC was to provide water for the convenience store and Sonic. However, they recently discovered the lines were crossed during construction.
 
He also requested the two entities join water lines around the Shell complex from the city’s 10-inch line to SEC’s two-and-a-half inch line.
 
Loveless said this would enable the city to provide water for the complex should SEC lose water pressure.
 
Following a called executive session lasting half-an-hour, the council voted to take no action on both requests.
 
The council approved an ordinance (#11-0314-01) providing for regulation and control of dangerous animals and penalties.
 
Murdock said the code enforcement officer requested the ordinance that gives specific instruction as to what is a dangerous animal and how to handle dangerous situations.
 
Ed Voss, city attorney, said this is a more updated ordinance with current state laws.
 
The council also approved a resolution (#R11-0314-01) opposing any proposal to close the Italy Post Office, minutes from the February meeting, bills and earned compensatory time. Mayor Frank Jackson issued a proclamation proclaiming March 20-26, 2011 as “Poison Prevention Week” in Italy.
 
During department reports, C.V. Johns, police chief, said the police department received 135 calls to service, worked 960 hours and made seven arrests. He said the animal control officer worked 49.75 hours in February and picked up 26 animals and a horse. The officer issued one citation and one warning. The code enforcement officer issued one courtesy letter.
 
Carroll said the street department is currently working on a six-inch water line on Milam Street and will then move to the ball fields.
 
Murdock reported that city hall is now closing from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch.
 
City elections are set for May 14 with early voting from May 2 to 10.