Mobile Home Listings & News

Chouteau discusses mobile home ordinances

Sommer Woodward
Staff Reporter

The town of Chouteau Board of Trustees discussed a potential housing development, approved placing a mobile home at 201 East Loy and ordinances and rules regarding mobile home parks during the regular meeting Monday.

The board heard from Eugene Vanbeber about a potential housing development on the corner of 4th and 8th streets. The plan is to put a subdivision on the property with in excess of 20 homes. The engineer does not have the final plans yet, but should have plans ready by next month. Vanbeber said he wanted the board to know the development is being planned.

A public hearing was held concerning placing a single wide mobile home at 201 East Loy. The planing and zoning board approved the placement and no one showed up during the public hearing to protest. The board approved placing the mobile home at 201 East Loy.

After the meeting, a neighbor approached the board and expressed her dissatisfaction with the mobile home being placed on the property. The board informed the woman that a public hearing was held and she should have brought her concerns to the board during the hearing because the board already approved the placement of the mobile home.

The board discussed ordinances which concern parking a mobile home outside of mobile home parks and another ordinance concerning grounds maintenance.

Mayor Jerry Floyd said the ordinance states no motor home can be parked any longer than 48 hours outside of a mobile home park on a resident’s lawn.

Floyd said there is a woman who has had a motor home parked for several weeks. Attorney Marion Stinson said he has been in contact with the woman’s attorney and he would like more time to discuss the matter with the attorney before the board takes any action.

The board discussed another ordinance regarding the rules and regulations on keeping a mobile home park clean.

Floyd said a mobile home park on 1st Street has old furniture and trash all over and he would like to find out who the mobile home park belongs to before taking any action.

“They either clean them up or we fine them for it,” said Floyd. However, no fines are specified on the ordinance and the board took no action.

The board discussed the ordinance concerning dangerous animals. Trustee Brenda Cunningham said she was contacted by a woman who has a neighbor with two Pit Bulls. The dogs get out of the fence all the time and the woman is afraid the dogs may attack someone. Floyd said the town already has a vicious animal ordinance on the books. He said the law allows a person to shoot a dog in self defense or in defense of another person. The board took no action at this time.

The board approved purchasing technical rescue equipment from NAFECO for $3,630.36 plus shipping. Fire Chief Ted Key said the equipment will allow the department to operate safely while performing rescues.

The board also approved purchasing two sets of on-spot tire chains for Engines One and Two. The cost is $2,700 plus shipping from National Frontier International Trucks. Key explained the tire chains will be installed by the department which will save the city money.

The town adopted two resolutions. Resolution 2007-2, declares April as Fair Housing Month and Resolution 2007-3 adds Chouteau to the list of the Oklahoma Scenic Byways Program for Highway 69. Floyd said the scenic byways designation will allow the town to apply for grants and town entrance signs.

The board approved renting a 40-foot man lift from MidAmerica Rental Center for $800 a week. The town will pay $2,400 to keep the lift for three weeks. The fourth week is free if the lift is rented for three weeks.

The board approved hiring Jeremy Armstrong as an animal control officer at a salary of $333.33 a month. The board also tabled any action on increasing employer’s and employees’ monthly retirement contributions.

The board also tabled any action on purchasing a Cascade air compressor system for the fire department until more companies are given a chance to bid.

The fire department is still interviewing applicants for emergency management volunteers.

Trustees approved having Trader’s Day the second Friday and Saturday of each month, beginning April 13 and 14. Trader’s Day will be held at Guy Williams Park.

In March, the Police Department wrote 170 citations, 63 warnings and gave 43 verbal warnings. The department responded to 154 calls, made two drug arrests and jailed 26 people. Reserve officers put in 123 hours. The animal control officer made eight calls and picked up three animals. No animals were euthanized and three animals were adopted. The department worked nine vehicle crashes with no injuries.