The Perry City Council met in regular session Monday.

At the meeting, City Administrator Sven Peterson stated that Habitat for Humanity’s Rock the Block event went well, as did the projects they worked with high school students as part of Volunteer Day.  Peterson says the public works department and Bolton and Menk are working together to look at an asphalt overlay project next year.  Perry will receive around $130,000 in road use tax funds and the plan is to cover around 50 blocks of overlays in the coming years.  Peterson also noted that while “smoking gun” of the sewer backup issue was not located during last week’s testing he feels it was a good test that identified several smaller issues, including leakage issues in some homes.  Finally, Peterson said the City has ordered new Christmas lights that will be installed on light poles in downtown Perry this holiday season.

During open forum, Desi Hartz and Hailey Vaughn with the Fellowship of Christian Activities group at the high school.  They are planning to hold a 5k color fun run the weekend after Thanksgiving.  All money from the event would be donated to a local charity.  The girls asked the Council about route options, in hopes that they can start and end at the high school.  Peterson recommended the group talks with Parks and Recreation Director John Anderson about the route they have used for other runs in the past.

In old business, the fourth pay request for the Perry Municipal Airport Apron Rehabilitation project was approved in the amount of $95,910 to Jensen Builders.  Peterson says he checked on the project with City Engineer Matt Ferrier Monday and the project is looking good and nearing completion.

Fall yard waste burning dates and procedures were then set for the year.  Backyard burning of yard waste materials will be allowed between 10am and sundown from October 31st through November 22nd.  Yard waste burning will also be prohibited next spring. Councilwoman Barb Wolling says she has received several phone calls over the past week from residents north of town who are in favor of yard waste burning.  Councilman John Andorf says for some people burning becomes a health hazard and he is in favor of banning the burning, especially with the other options available, including yard waste pickup.  He says banning the burning will “make Perry a better place to live.”  Councilman Dr. Randy McCaulley says he feels the resolution that was approved does move in the direction toward banning burning, but the public was not given enough notice about not being able to do that this season.  No word yet on whether or not burning will be allowed next fall.  Peterson says he wants to discuss it earlier in the year in 2016 and make a decision then.  Councilman Chuck Schott says he understands the reason for banning yard waste burning but also feels residents should be able to “enjoy life” and burn if they want to.  Councilman Phil Stone says his wife is allergic to smoke, particularly coming from burning leaves and sticks.  He encouraged people to make phone calls and state their thoughts and only heard from one person who was adamantly against burning.  Ultimately, the Council approved the resolution, with Councilman Andorf voting no.

Next, the Council approved an agreement with Simmering-Cory for blight assessment services.  This is part of the Urban Revitalization process and comes at a cost schedule not to exceed $6,000.  The project will be financially supported by Perry Industries and Perry Economic Development, with each group pledging $2,000 toward the project.

A public hearing was then set in regards to the issuance of a general obligation equipment loan.  This is for the purchase of a 2016 Kenworth garbage truck with a new way rear loading packer at a cost not to exceed $96,000.  The purchase was approved as part of the fiscal year 2016 budget and will be paid for through a three year loan with principal and interest paid from the local option sales tax fund. Tbe public hearing will take place during the October 19th City Council meeting.

Finally, a contribution to the Dallas County Local Housing Trust Fund in the amount of $5,776.  This is equivalent to $0.75 per person.  Perry also made contributions to the fund in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

For more on last night’s meeting, tune into today’s Let’s Talk Dallas County when we speak with City Administrator Sven Peterson during the 9am, noon and 5pm hours on AM 1310 KDLS, FM 99.7 and online at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.