CEYLON — The Ceylon City Council is concerned that the city’s junk ordinance is not being enforced sufficiently.

Council members and the public weighed in on the matter this week.

A citizen suggested the council meet with the sheriff and judge about the lack of enforcement. A citizen commended the council for its efforts to try to clean up the city and demolish uninhabitable houses.

City officials say letters and photos of messy sites will be sent out to property owners after the citywide cleanup day, which is slated for Saturday. The letters will offer specifics about items that need to be removed.

Martin County Commissioner Richard Koons was in attendance and the council thanked the county for its financial help to demolish dilapidated houses in the city.

City officials ask that residents take advantage of the cleanup day Saturday. Officials say they are trying hard to give everyone an opportunity to clean up their property free of charge.

Larry Kling will pick up appliances.

Items that are not accepted include: TVs, electronics, paint and chemicals, broken glass, waste, needles, dead animals and animal waste, shingles and bricks.

Electronics and TVs can be taken to Prairieland in Truman.

Yard compost may be taken to the dump from 8 a.m. to noon.

In other business at its meeting, the council discussed needed paving improvements as well as gravel needed for shoulders and alleys. The council decided to table the matter and asked city employee Jim Plumhoff to inventory the city’s paving and gravel needs.

In another matter, it was reported that the mural building is unsafe and in rough shape. The council decided to inspect the building and possibly demolish it. Items stored there will be removed by the Sentence to Serve group and taken to Prairieland.

In other action, the council:

o Learned that the sale of old library books netted $372. The rest of the books will be given to Jackson Friends of the Library group.

o Learned that parts of the old water truck were sold at the Ceylon auction, with $2,000 taken in from the sale for the Fire Association.

o Learned there will be a countywide tornado drill at 1:45 p.m. May 20.

o Learned there will be no Memorial Day program at the Ceylon Legion. Flags will be placed on graves May 24.