Cadiz Council Members Sworn In

A new Cadiz City Council was sworn in after Tuesday night's regular meeting. Most of the Council remains the same, with one exception. The seat previously held by Regina Wilkerson, who did not seek re-election, will be filled by Gary Polete. Polete was sworn in with other council members Susan Bryant, Todd King, Manuel Brown, Bob Noel and Frankie Phillips.

Before the swearing in ceremony, Wilkerson had this to say of her time on the Council.

Polete says he's looking forward to his two-year term.

During the meeting, the Council passed a city tree ordinance that puts a committee in place to oversee tree planning and maintenance within the city. Previous versions of the ordinance raised concerns about the power the committee would have over private property owners. The final version of the ordinance, with private property language removed, was passed unanimously.

The Council also held the first reading of an ordinance that will allow the city to use a service that will publish ordinances online and in booklet form.

In the final minutes of the meeting, Councilwoman Susan Bryant brought two issues to the attention of Council. One is the city's inability to enforce violations of nuisance ordinances.

The second issue is similar and involves violations of large trash disposal on roadsides within city limits. Currently, the city picks up large items on the first Monday of each month, if residents call the city requesting pick-up. Violations have become an unsightly and expensive problem.

The Council asked City Attorney Allen Wilson to research ordinances for both issues.