DEWAYNE HOLLOWAY/dewayne@mcnews.online
MOUNT IDA – The Mount Ida City Council passed a noise complaint ordinance Monday night in an effort to “give some teeth” to police response to bothersome noise complaints.
Alderman Will Brakefield, who also is the Chief Deputy for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, explained that the ordinance was needed to give law enforcement officers something to enforce when answering noise complaints. He added that currently all they can do is ask someone to reduce noise levels as a favor to the officers. Mayor Jo Childress stated that she had filed a noise complaint recently. She shared that she could hear a radio from inside her house without her hearing aids. The vehicle was parked at a convenience store near her home.
Brakefield stated that MCSO deputies weren’t going to use the ordinance as a reason to target people. He added that he planned to print copies of the ordinance to pass out to those who cause a disturbance as a warning. If they persist in disturbing others then deputies would be able to write them a ticket.
The ordinance did not set specific noise levels to be enforced, but was amended to specify that a noise complaint by a Mount Ida resident was enough to warrant a violation. This ordinance covers all noise complaints. Examples included loud radios, engines and animals.
The ordinance passed unanimously.
Alder persons also approved the first quarter budgets for the waterworks and waste water departments.
Alderman Rick Farmer asked about the poor water quality lately. Mayor Childress explained that recent excessive rains have caused some problems, but water plant employees are working to fix the quality issue.
Alderman Farmer also complained about trash on the grounds at the city park. He shared photos of trash on the ground before and after the grounds were mowed. He alleged that city employees had not picked up trash before mowing and had simply mowed over the trash. He added that trash cans needed to be emptied more often.
Mayor Childress stated that she would show the photos to the employees responsible for mowing the park and would talk to them about the trash.
Alder person Kim Miller asked about cleaning the ditch lines in town. Mayor Childress stated that they had used county equipment and employees to clean some of the ditches and would use them again to finish the rest of the ditches.
Alder person Miller suggested they be aware of traffic while mowing.
