MINER - Derelict vehicles owners can scratch Miner off their list of places to move their cars to.
After some final tweaks, the Miner Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance relating to yard maintenance during their regular meeting Tuesday.
The ordinance addresses junk, trash, tall grass and weeds, unlicensed vehicles and vehicle accessories.
Deloris Smith, board member, asked if the current nuisance ordinance could take care of the problems, but Police Chief Roger Moore said the existing low fine has no real effect.
To make a difference, Moore said, they have to be able to tow vehicles away and bill the property owner - which is what the new ordinance enables the city to do.
Alderman Justin Medley said it is not "zero tolerance" like Sikeston, however. "They have 14 days to take care of the problem," he said.
In other business addressed by the Board Tuesday:
* A proposed noise control ordinance was tabled to allow city attorney Blake Pearson more time to research other ordinances.
Moore said he hasn't received any complaints regarding J.D.'s Saloon since some work was done to the exterior.
* A resolution accepting the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan prepared by the Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission was passed.
Participation is required to be eligible for federal emergency assistance in the case of a natural disaster.
* The Board approved the annual contribution of $500 to the SEMO Drug Task Force.
Moore said by participating in the program, the city avoids being billed for things like meth lab cleanups.
* The purchase of one Taser from general revenue and one from drug seizure money, if available, was approved by the Board for $800 each.
Most area law enforcement departments are equipped with Tasers now, Moore said. "Everybody I've talked to swears by them," he said.
In cases with large unruly mobs, officers just have to show a Taser "and it will part like the Red Sea," Moore said.
Moore said Deputy Ron Merideth of the Scott County Sheriff's Department can provide the training.
Initial training is an eight-hour course in which proper use of the gun is gone over in detail. "You also get shocked," Moore said.
Annual four-hour refreshers are also required.
* The Board approved $1,000 for the purchase of a firefighting suit.
Fire Chief Benny Thurston reported on a recent ISO survey which will mean lower insurance rates for Miner residents.
"Our ISO rating has gone down to 6," Thurston said. "We were at 7."
The Board also agreed to meet with an ISO official during their regular August meeting to hear details about the survey and how the city can continue to improve its rating.