Ravenwood Sends Letter of Violation

The City of Ravenwood sent a letter of violation to a person who had built a fence without a permit. Like Grant City, Ravenwood requires residents adding new structures or fences on their properties and/or put in a water supply or sewer system to get a building permit at City Hall. The ordinance, passed in March 1999, reads as follows:

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN FOR THE CITY OF RAVENWOOD, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS: TO CONTROL BUILDING AND WATER SUPPLY OR SEWER SYSTEMS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.

Section 1: A person, group of persons, company, or organization desiring to build a new structure or add to an existing structure or to put in a water supply and/or a sewer system within the city limits of the City of Ravenwood, Missouri, shall FIRST file with the City Clerk an application for a building permit on a form provided by the City Clerk and shall therewith pay an application fee of $10 to the City Clerk at the time of the filing of said application.

Section 2: The City Clerk shall forward the Application for a Building Permit to the Board of Aldermen and Mayor who shall review same at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Aldermen. If the Application is approved by a majority of the Board, then a building permit shall be issued to the applicant allowing for the building of a new structure or adding to an existing structure or the putting in of a water supply and/or sewer system.

Section 3: The granting of a building permit in no way guarantees that any of the work done is of a workmanlike manner, that any person performing any work is skilled, licensed, or bonded, or that it is being built on the applicant’s property. These requirements are the sole responsibility of the applicant, his agents, the property owners, or the workmen involved, without any liability on behalf of the City of Ravenwood.

Section 4: If a building permit is not granted by the Board of Aldermen and the applicant, or someone acting through his authority or on his behalf shall build the structure or add to an existing structure or put in a water supply and/or a sewer system, the applicant, his agents, and assigns shall all be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500 or a jail sentence of 90 days or both said fine and jail sentence. Each day shall constitute a separate violation. The structure may also be ordered to be removed, razed, or altered to comply with this Ordinance.

Section 5: If a building permit is not granted by the Board of Aldermen, the applicant shall have a right to appeal the administrative decision of the Board to the Circuit Court of Nodaway County, Missouri, for judicial review under the Missouri State Statutes regarding same. Failure of any person to file an appeal shall constitute waiver of said right.

Section 6: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and adoption.

Bill Stephenson came to request that a “T” be put in his ditch, which he said would help with runoff. Mayor Brian Sobotka and council members said that while the city has three other major projects ahead of it, they were receptive to the request. In the meantime, the city will dig the ditch a little deeper to help with drainage during storms.

Work on the Playground was discussed. The project got an award from FCS Financial of $5,000, not $10,000 as was originally thought, meaning that more fundraising is needed.

Discussion was had on lining up volunteer labor to finish the project. The new shelter house will be done at a later date. 

Paint work needs done on the north side of City Hall and on the water plant. 

The Council is planning to pass a new policy on water from the Fire Department for recreational purposes. In the past, the Fire Department had filled up peoples’ pools and then paid an estimated bill to the city. The new proposed policy would require people who want recreational water to get it through the city. Sobotka and city council members stated that while Ravenwood has some of the cheapest water in the area, they were not giving it away. 

The following are water rates for towns in the area for minimum monthly usage: Barnard – $136.50, Burlington Junction $128, Clearmont – $122.50, Conception Junction – $55.05, Hopkins – $72.31, Ravenwood – $18.65, Skidmore – $84, Albany–  $38.61, King City – $77.70, Stanberry – $64.69, Maryville – $39.20. Ravenwood has the lowest water rates in the area.

The following are sewer rates for towns in the area. Barnard – $79, Burlington Junction – $34, Clearmont – $65, Conception Junction – $27.53, Hopkins – $61.16, Ravenwood – $35, Skidmore – $60, Albany – $63.50, King City – $35.11, Stanberry – $58.20, Maryville – $121.44. Ravenwood has one of the lowest sewer rates in the area.