The Stuart City Council and the Stuart Utility Board met in a joint special session Monday.

On behalf of the Utility Board, Trustee John Gulbranson expressed his disappointment in not being included in certain discussions regarding the Karl Chevrolet expansion project. The Council agreed that there should be more communication overall between the two entities on all projects related to the City’s infrastructural improvements.

The Council also approved two ordinance changes. They approved including an amount of $75/hour on all written notices for residents who fail to comply with grass, weed, and brush violations. They also removed vertical steel, aluminum, and vinyl siding as acceptable exterior building materials.

Other approved action items included: bond appropriation for the Karl Chevrolet expansion project; $10,000 from Hotel/Motel tax funding for the roof repair project at the American Legion and Rec Center building; one public hearing each for a development agreement on the Morrison Building, and rezoning, for Monday, September 9th at 6:30pm; and a public hearing on the 2018 Asphalt Project for Monday, September 24th at 6:30pm. The meeting concluded with public forum. Items discussed included lighting options in the Pocket Park and providing more downtown activities for the general public.