Dilapidated signs and tiny homes were a significant part of the discussion Feb. 3 at the Warrenton Board of Aldermen meeting.

Alderman Brandon Lang brought up both issues, with the discussion of tiny homes set for a work session Feb. 10 at 6 p.m.

Lang told the board there are a number of unused or damaged signs throughout Warrenton. He asked the board what the city needs to do to start enforcing its existing ordinance on signs and what notice needs to be given to get signs repaired or removed.

City Administrator Brandie Walters said city officials could send out notifications to respective property owners with damaged signs or start the process with code enforcement.

Mayor Eric Schleuter said the amount of notice to give property owners would be up to the board. Board members discussed a 30-day notice period, with additional time to be granted to those businesses showing evidence that they were working to remove or repair the signs.

Alderman Christine Wait asked about what would happen when a property owner is looking to sell the property, how would that be handled. Schleuter said the city could work with such property owners on the status of the property and whether there might be an owner coming on board who wants to use the sign. The board did not vote on the 30-day window, but seemed to support giving a 30-day notice period for dilapidated signs.

At several previous meetings Lang has brought up a proposal to have the city consider allowing tiny houses in the community.

The board also voted 6-0 to approve writing off 75 delinquent accounts dating back to 2018 in the amount of $11,320.88. Finance Officer Meghan Waelder said that last year the city wrote off $110,000 in accounts dating back to 2001. Waelder said the city now has a policy in place where those in arrears on utility bills are sent a letter and two phone calls before they are turned over to collections. Accounts then stay in collections for seven years before they can be written off.

The board also unanimously approved a request from Public Works Director Guy Gevers for a change order for Keeley Construction in the amount of $19,836.65 for the Powell Street water main project.

Gevers said when the project started officials did not know where everything was underground as the original project was done in 1973. He said now they have underground lines mapped more accurately.

The board also accepted a donation from Kikkoman in the amount of $10,000.

The board also unanimously approved a liquor license for the Dollar General located at 3900 Isabella Drive and an ordinance to amend the memorandum of understanding between the city and the Warren County R-III School District to allow the school resource officer to attend a security conference, paid for by the school district.