During the Centre City Council Tuesday, this was one issue discussed at length with business owner Ron Kelly who operates a Business on the Cedar Bluff Road. According to Mayor Wilkie, he and Police Chief Blankenship had visited the business about its appearance of a Junk area with lawn mowers and other small engine items on the lot.
Mayor Wilkie asked Kelly to appear before the Council to determine if the business would continue. Kelly told the council he had cleaned up the business lot some but still had more to do.
He also complained about being held to a different standard than some other businesses in Centre. However, Mayor Wilkie and the Council also informed Kelly the appearance was not the only issue. It seems Kelly has operated the business for more than a year without paying any sales tax.
He told the Council he was willing to bring his business into compliance by acquiring a State Sales Tax number, paying the taxes and cleaning up the business by removing the old tires with proof of proper disposal, and remove all lawn mowers that did not start and run which were being used as parts.
The Council asked Attorney Al Shumaker whether they could suspend the license until the compliance issues can be addressed.
Shumaker recommended he be allowed to research the City’s ordinance to determine the proper action.
In other business, the Council approved a new ordinance setting the license fees for Tattoo Parlors in Centre. The Council had set the license fee at $500 plus issuance fee.
The Park and Recreation Director asked the Council to approve the purchase of a 110 gallon herbicide sprayer with boom at a cost of $1,595. The Council tabled action on that matter until later in the summer.
The Big E Cruise In Reunion was approved for the City Park. Alan Amos, representing the group, ask the council to allow them to close Main Street for part of the event but Mayor Wilkie recommended they proceed with the approval at the Park from noon until 6 on the day of the event and Amos check with a local business about using their parking lot for the Cruising from 6 until 10 pm.
The next meeting of the Centre City Council is set for July 8 at 5 pm.