Published: February 20, 2008 12:09 pm      

Council re-zones, sets Air Expo dates

Ada — Ada City Council declared properties dilapidated and approved the re-zoning of an area to build duplexes Tuesday night at its regularly scheduled meeting.

Structures at 920 W. 12th Street, Ada, and a structure just to the west of the property were declared dilapidated and a nuisance.

“I’m not sure if it even qualifies as a structure,” Mayor Frank Stout said during discussion.

Council decided the property would be benefited by the removal of the buildings, which were ordered to be torn down once Council approved the motion. The passing of the agenda item also meant the city attorney is allowed to file suit in District Court for abatement of the nuisance existing on the property.

Council approved re-zoning of property on the southwest and southeast corners of North Highland and Gardena from a one family district to a two family district.

The re-zoning was requested by Larry Robertson. He wants to improve the property and build duplexes.

“We’re going to try to build affordable, well-maintained housing,” Robertson said. He said the plans include 23 buildings, which would house 46 units. In addition, an office/maintenance building would be built on the property.

In other business, council approved the dates for the 2008 Air Expo and Ray Stout memorial Warbird Fly-In at Ada Municipal Airport on June 13 and 14. The chairman of the event said there would be no admission cost this year, however, there will be a parking fee to help off-set the cost of the event.

“I think it’s an excellent event,” Councilmember Barbara Young said.

“It’s great family entertainment,” Councilman Darrell Nemecek said. “It’s a great way to showcase Ada for those coming in from out of town.”

In city manager’s report, David Hathcoat said he was still “searching hard for a city engineer.”

The council meeting was adjourned and the public works authority meeting was immediately called to order.

An agenda item gaining a lot of attention was discussion of and action on request from EagleMed for permission to place a mobile home at Ada Municipal Airport to house the crew for EagleMed’s proposed base in Ada.

Councilmembers emphasized they do want an EagleMed base in Ada. However, city ordinances do not allow mobile homes inside city limits. Council decided to table the agenda item and discuss ideas with Ada Jobs Foundation, which would help with costs to find a way to comply with city ordinances and allow Eagle Med a cost efficient way to provide a base in Ada.

A transfer station was also under discussion. Young explained the local landfill Ada uses is rapidly filling up. A transfer station would allow the trash to simply be placed in a truck and taken to a regional landfill.

“We tried expanding the landfill laterally,” Young said. However, that was not possible due to soil conditions. The agenda item approved by council simply allowed an updated contract with Shepherd Engineering Design Co., Inc. to explore the costs and options for a transfer station in Ada.

In other business, Hathcoat advised residents to avoid the intersection of Fourth and Broadway due to the ongoing construction.