The Italy City Council held a public hearing to review the existing juvenile curfew, among other things, at its monthly meeting Monday evening.

There were no citizens to address the curfew status and the public hearing closed.

Police Chief Diron Hill said the juvenile curfew is a much needed ordinance. He said national and state leaders have endorsed the implementation and enforcement of stronger “status offense” laws to control youth crime.

The ordinance (#13-0408-01) prohibits any minor, less than 17 years of age, from being out between 11 p.m. and 6 am during the week and after midnight on the weekends. Any violation of the ordinance may be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.

Greg Richards made the motion to approve the ordinance and Rodney Guthrie seconded the motion, with a correction on the stated ordinance. The motion passed unanimously.

Teri Murdock, city secretary/administrator, said this ordinance is currently in place but must be reviewed every three years.

In other business, the council approved increasing the fire marshal’s monthly salary, payable through the Emergency Service District, from $1,500 per month to $1,750 per month.

Guthrie and Richards made the motion which passed unanimously.

Council members also unanimously approved a plaque being placed in the pavilion in memory of fallen Bryan firefighter Greg Pickard, an Italy High School graduate.

Mayor Frank Jackson said citizens are still raising money for the plaque and they will know more about the wording and size once fundraising is completed.

The last item on new business pertained to the remaining unused bricks from the old community center. Murdock said citizens have been asking to use the remaining bricks for sidewalks, flower beds, historical preservation, etc.

Jackson said the city is keeping several bricks to continue personalizing bricks at the pavilion. The city has no use, at this time, for the remaining bricks.

Elmerine Bell, citizen, said the city needs to preserve its history and suggested they save those bricks.

Guthrie made the motion to allow the citizens to get the remaining bricks. Dennis Perkins Jr. seconded the motion which passed with a no vote from James Hobbs.

During department reports, Hill said the department was called to service 213 times in March and made 13 arrests. Officers worked a total of 1,351 hours. The code enforcement officer was called to service five times in March. The animal control officer was called out 40 times, picked up seven animals and issued one citation.

Hill said former officer Tierra Mooney is one of 21 police officers across the state who will honored by TCLEOSE in June. Mooney is being recognized for the implementation of the Shop with a Cop program.

Dean Carrell, public works director, said his department received 612 work orders during March. In the water project, he said the water storage tank should be painted within the next two to three weeks, weather permitting. The project should be completed within seven months.

Murdock said the city received a letter from Atmos Energy reporting that there were no longer any cast iron gas pipes within the city limits.

She said the Family Dollar Store has a temporary certificate of occupancy. Taco Bell will have its final inspection this week and if everything passes, they will receive their permanent certificate of occupancy.

She said a public hearing is scheduled for April 22 to discuss the construction of a duplex and a scrap metal processing center.

Murdock also reminded those in attendance about upcoming election set for May 11 at the Boze Community Center.

The municipal court filed 260 citations from the police department, cleared 10 warrants and sent 40 collection letters.

The council also approved minutes form the March meeting, bills and earned compensatory time.

Prior to adjournment, Hill said he and Manuela Martin, court clerk, are organizing Fiesta de Italy on May 3 in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. He said the event will be held at the pavilion from 6 to 10 p.m.