The Winnfield City Council is continuing its efforts to clean up the city through a process of identification and condemnation of eyesores such as abandoned and dilapidated buildings.

During the council’s January 9 session, members discussed a dozen such sites.  In a number of those cases, the landowners or their representatives addressed the council to give an update.  Most seemed willing to have the property cleaned up, perhaps through a controlled burn by the fire department.  One couple said they are working to bring the building used for storage up to standard.

The council generally issued a 60-day limit for the cited landowners to come into compliance.

CPA Steven McKay informed the members that he expects the city audit to be completed by the end of the month.  He also pointed out that there is an investment program available for idle city monies that could be an income opportunity for Winnfield, adding that he would talk more about this at their next meeting.

In police actions, the council agreed to a request by Chief Johnny Ray Carpenter to hire Sarah Hammons as a fulltime patrolman provisionally, contingent on her passing the Civil Service test.  They also agreed to move Pedro Reynoza up from the status of provisional jailor to that of fulltime jailor, having successfully passed his test.  Member Matt Miller also introduced an ordinance setting hourly starting pay for police at $10 for parttime and $12 fulltime.

The city will purchase an asphalt hot box and recycler for the street department on motion by member Ada Hall Dudley.  The matter had been brought up previously but tabled until some existing equipment could be viewed.  Miller pointed out that this machine heats up the mix before it is applied to fix potholes, allowing its use during colder weather.