Hopkins Discusses Truck Parking, Delinquent Bills

The Hopkins City Council discussed truck parking along with delinquent utility bills at its regular meeting Monday night.

Clerk Sue Wagner dug up a 2012 ordinance that prohibits truck parking in residential areas, defined as any motor truck or commercial vehicle in excess of one ton. Delivery of goods, such as UPS drivers, is permitted.

No commercial vehicle or truck having a rate load capacity in excess of one ton shall be driven on any street except:

—Highway 148;

—Highway 246;

—Barnard Street from 148 to 9th Street;

—Warren Street from 148 to 4th Street;

—Craig Street from 148 to 2nd Street;

—3rd Street from Barnard Street to Roseberry Street;

—4th Street from Barnard Street to Warren Street;

—North 3rd Street from 148 to East Craig Street;

—North 2nd Street from 148 to East Craig Steet;

—First Street from 246 to Morehouse Street;

—Phelps Street from 3rd Street to Warren Street;

—Morehouse Street from 148 to 1st Street.

The ordinance requires the city to post signage where appropriate.

Persons may not park any vehicle one ton or greater or any vehicle, trailer, or combination having a length greater than 20 feet or wider than 6 1/2 feet upon any street, alley, public parking lot, or other public place except during the loading and unloading of freight, wares, or goods or merchandise germane to the business or firm.

If any vehicle is found in violation and the operator can’t be determined, then the owner will be deemed in violation. Violators are subject to a fine of $250.

The council tabled enforcement until the safe can be opened to see if a more recent, signed copy of the ordinance can be found. The council also wants to decide locations to put up signage.

The council also discussed delinquent water and sewer bills further. The council voted to raise the deposit fee from $200 to $300 for first-time customers. The city will change it both by ordinance and in the user agreement.

The city narrowed down the list of delinquent customers to focus on. Customers who are delinquent two months will have their water shut off. Customers who are delinquent three months will be put on the enforcement list for consideration of a tax lien. Sewer and late charges will continue to accumulate for water customers who are shut off.

The council voted to approve a citywide cleanup for June 27th to 29th.

The council approved liquor license applications for M2V and M&M Pub & Grub.