Dexter residents voice concerns over neighborhood upkeep and city response at board meeting

The monthly Dexter Board of Aldermen meeting opened with two concerned citizens addressing the board.

The first citizen lives in a neighborhood the eastern side of Dexter. The citizen said across from his residence is a camper-type trailer near the street. He said the trailer is unsightly and on blocks.

He asked why the trailer was allowed to sit there. Alderman Terry Battles asked how long the trailer had been there. The Citizen Replied about three months.

Mayor Mark Snider said he was not aware of the trailer until the citizen brought it to his attention during the meeting. Snider said the matter would be looked into.

The citizen said there was also a white van in front of the trailer. Dexter Police Chief Hank Trout said he would go to the neighborhood and look into the situation. The citizen thanked the board and exited the meeting.

The second citizen is a neighbor of the first citizen who spoke. He expressed concern about the state of the neighborhood. He said one residence had four mowers in the yard in various states of disrepair. He said another residence had a broken-down car in the yard.

The citizen further said citations had been given to some residents of the neighborhood.

He said he had spoken to City Administrator David Wyman (who was unable to attend the meeting) about this and a sewer issue. The citizen said he received good results regarding the sewer issue. The citizen hoped to return with good news at the February meeting.

Snider said when he was sworn in as mayor, it was a mandate of his to clean up the city. He said this would be addressed but he could not promise it would be done in a month.

Trout said the code enforcement officer was out of town. Trout further said if citations had been written, he would have to wait for the officer to return. The citizen thanked the board for their time. Trout briefly exited with the citizen to speak with him further.

Ordinances

The board passed two ordinances. The first ordinance will place stop signs in the eastbound and westbound lanes of Lyndel Street, at its intersection with Sycamore Street.

The second ordinance the board passed will allow the city to apply for a USDA Rural Development Grant. The grant money would be put toward the expenses incurred with the water/wastewater project.

Mayor’s report

Snider made multiple appointments during the meeting. Tyler Juden was appointed to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Patrick Barbour and Josh Speakman were appointed to the Airport Board. The Board of Aldermen approved the appointments.

Other business

Dexter Fire Chief and EMA Director Don Seymore updated the board on the reimbursements from FEMA/SEMA as a result of storms that hit the city in spring 2024.

He said all the paperwork was turned in to FEMA for the first day and a half to two days of the emergency in the amount of $43,326.76. He said a check was received for a 75% reimbursement in the amount of $32,492.07.

Seymour said the first debris project (removal of storm debris) in the amount of $661,247 has been moved to the next stage for approval of a check. He said FEMA may pull out the amount of a skid steer purchased by the city. He said if this happens, the amount will still be in the $500,000s. Seymour said 75% would be reimbursed.

He said the sidewalk project is completed and is awaiting approval by SEMA. The project cost $30,561 and 75% would be reimbursed. It has been approved by FEMA.

He said an extension may have to be filed for the sign project due to the signs not arriving as of yet. He said repairs to the city vehicles are awaiting an insurance check. Also, the repair/replacement of the water and street department buildings heavily damaged during the storm are awaiting bids.

Five individuals were appointed to the Dexter Fire Department by the board. They are Dalton Mack, Corey Hart, Danny Witson, Gracie Sperion and James Farmer.

Dexter Police Chief Hank Trout there were no major accidents as a result of the weekend storm. Trout also said the department participated in active shooter training at WW Wood. The department also assisted with Shop With a Hero in December. The board appointed Brayden Kaimpfe to the Dexter Police Department.

Parks and Recreation Director Jamie Rowe said at a recent park board meeting a recommendation was offered to offset the cost of the minimum wage increase at the city pool. It was recommended that the entry fee be increased from $8.50 to $9. This entry fee would be used from May 24 to July 13. From July 14 to Aug. 10, the entry fee would be $5. The city board has not taken any action yet.

She also dispersed paperwork to the board regarding the upcoming Dexter Parks and Recreation spring sports. The upcoming sports are baseball, softball, track and the new flag football program.