"Chariton Newsletter"

 

The City of Chariton and staff would like to make living in our community as pleasant as it can be.   We have put together some general information concerning city ordinances, which we hope will be useful to you. If you have other questions, please feel free to call City Hall at 774-5991, where someone will be happy to assist you.

 

GUIDELINES FOR PET OWNERS IN THE CITY OF CHARITON 

Dogs and cats, who are six (6) months of age or older, must be licensed with the City of Chariton and have an identification tag on their collar. The License may be obtained at the Law Enforcement Center at 1023 Linden Avenue between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM on any weekday. You will be required to have a valid rabies certificate. The license fee is $5 per pet including those that have been spayed or neutered. You will receive an identification tag at that time.

 Pets are not permitted to run unattended in the City of Chariton. A leash must be used when pets are taken for a walk off private property or the pet may be walked at “heel” beside and obedient to the commands of the owner or a competent responsible person. Pets must be under the control of their handler at all times.

A bag or other container, for collection of animal waste, must be carried with you when walking your pet. Pet waste must be removed from all property other than your own.  

Vicious animals and certain breeds of dogs, such as pit bulls and related breeds, are not allowed to be kept within the City of Chariton.

 Calls concerning animals running at large or creating an excessive amount of noise are referred to the Chariton Police Department at 774-5083.

 

                                                                              SNOW REMOVAL

 Our Public Works' Crews would like you to be aware of ways in which you can assist in getting the streets plowed and returned to normal winter driving conditions.

 IN ORDER TO FACILITATE SNOW REMOVAL, DO NOT PARK IN THE STREET DURING OR IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A SNOWFALL. IThis allows the snow plows to clean the streets in one trip. Additionally, there are streets which are designated snow routes. Vehicles not removed from these streets can be ticketed or towed while the snow ordinance is in effect. All such streets are visibly marked or you may check with the Police Department or City Hall.

 DO NOT PUSH OR BLOW SNOW BACK INTO THE STREET. If you hire a contractor to take care of your snow removal, please encourage them to place the snow from your driveway and sidewalk on the parking adjoining your property or in your yard.

 CLEAR YOUR SIDEWALKS OF SNOW/ICE. You are responsible for keeping your sidewalk safe for those who use it. All sidewalks must be cleared within 48 hours after the storm or drifting has stopped.

 MAKE SURE YOUR MAIL CAN BE DELIVERED. It is your responsibility to make sure the postal worker can safely access your mailbox. Our Public Works' department makes every effort to clear the street of snow/ice all the way to the curb. However, this is not always possible.

 

TREE and SHRUB PLANTING, YARD WASTE and  BRUSH CLIPPINGS

 TREES AND SHRUBS MUST NOT BE PLANTED ON ANY STREET, AVENUE, HIGHWAY OR ON THE PARKING IN THE CITY OF CHARITON.  CALL CITY HALL AT 641 774 5991 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. 

The City provides an area at the south end of 16th Street for disposal of yard waste, grass clippings and tree limbs. No plastic bags or building materials may be disposed of at this location. Citizens must make their own arrangements to get these materials disposed of according to the City Code. The burning of such materials by residents is prohibited in the City of Chariton.

There is no burning of yard waste or solid waste in the City of Chariton.  

When mowing, it is not permissible to blow grass clippings into the street and leave them there. Mowing away from the street will save having to clean up when done.

The City of Chariton Public Works crew will pick up tree limbs and brush from severe wind storms only. The limbs must be cut in lengths no longer than 4 feet and placed on the parking next to the curb.

 

                                                                        SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE

If you have a sidewalk adjacent to your property, it is the property owner's responsibility to keep the sidewalk in proper repair. Sidewalks are inspected to make sure they meet the minimum City standards. If they do not, the property owner will receive a repair notice. In order to assist the property owner, the City receives bids from independent contractors each year for the removal and repair of sidewalks. Property owners may then make repairs themselves, hire a contractor or contact the city’s low bidder. If repairs are not made, the city will make the repairs and assess the cost against the property.

 

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR

 After receiving a building permit, homeowners are allowed to do all types of construction and repair to their own property as long as it meets the appropriate City Codes. No other individual can do work on anyone else's property without being licensed by the City for that particular trade. Information concerning Zoning Codes that set standards for the use of property, setback requirements, and other requirements applicable to the property can be obtained by contacting the City Manager at (641)774-5991.

                                                                    PARKING REQUIREMENTS

Parking on the space between the city curb and gutter and the property line is   prohibited. A waiver may be requested from the Chariton City Council.  Forms may be obtained from City Hall.

  A vehicle can not be parked on any street for more than forty-eight (48) hours without being moved.

                                                                                        

                                                                   SOLID WASTE REQUIREMENTS

 The Chariton City Code requires that each individual housing unit have solid waste collection provided by a solid waste collector licensed by the city. The hauler      shall provide a toter to store the solid waste in until it is collected. The toter should be placed by the curb the night before or the morning of the date of collection.     After the toter is emptied, it must be removed from the curb and placed in a secure area on private property.

 

BICYCLE and SKATEBOARD REQUIREMENTS

 Riding bicycles and skateboards on the sidewalks around the square and one block from the square is not permitted. Riders should walk their bicycles and carry their skateboards in these areas.

 

BEGGAR'S NIGHT

 The Mayor will proclaim one evening in October, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, for Beggar's Night to be celebrated.

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City email: citymanager@iowatelecom.net         web address: www.chariton.org

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VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS

Various City Committees and Commissions assist the Council in working for the betterment of our community.

Please indicate your interest in as many as you choose by placing an "x" in the appropriate blank and mailing this section back to City Hall.

_____ Board of Adjustment:

Meets as needed to consider requests for variances and use permits or to hear appeals of interpretation of the zoning ordinance.

_____ Chariton Volunteer Fire Department:

This group of trained volunteers provide fire protection services for Chariton. They meet three times a month on a regular basis. They have training requirements and on-call responsibilities.

_____ Parks and Recreation Board:

Meets once each month to advise council. They work with the City Recreation Director to implement recreation programs and deals with all other issues that pertain to city parks and recreation. 

_____ Planning and Zoning Commission:

Meets regularly each month to review and make recommendations to the Council concerning zoning, site plans and plat development.

_____ Chariton Cemetery Advisory Committee:

Meets as needed to advise the council on control, regulation and management of the City of Chariton Cemetery. 

_____ Chariton Historical Preservation Committee:

Works to promote, safeguard, foster pride in, protect and enhance historic, aesthetic and cultural sites within the city.  

______ Library Board of Trustees:

They meet once a month.  They are in charge of all aspects of the governing of the public library.  They receive funds for operation from the City of Chariton, from other governmental bodies and gifts from patrons.

______Housing Board of Chariton, Iowa:

They meet each month at the Southgate Apartments' meeting room.  This board deals independently of the city council in all aspects of the governing of Southgate apartments.  

  ______Water Board:

This board meets each month at the water office.  They regulate and operate the system of water works owned by the city.  They are totally independent of the council.

_____Airport Committee:

The purpose of this committee is to study the existing conditions of the airport, the future needs of the airport, and to make recommendations to the city council regarding priority items and methods of financing in order to meet the future needs.   

_____Electrical & Plumbing Board of Examiners and Appeals: 

They act on the requirements for licensing of all electricians and plumbers who will be performing work in the city and the updating of all city codes pertaining to the same.  They review and approve those who apply for licensing and hear appeals from those who have received notice that work they have done does not meet the city code as determined by the City Manager, who is the Building Inspector.  Their recommendations are acted upon by the City Council.

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Appointment to various committees will be made at the first Council meeting as terms expire. If there is an opening on the Committee you have volunteered for, and if you are appointed to the committee, you will be notified at that time.

The Chariton Chamber of Commerce, Lucas County Development Corporation and many other clubs provide valuable community service to our town. If you would like to be put in touch with any of these groups, please circle the name of the group and return this form to City Hall.

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