CEYLON – The Ceylon City Council this week held a hearing to introduce an ordinance to establish separate taxing districts for land within city limits.

One district would involve land that is rural, unplatted and undeveloped, called rural service districts. The other is the urban service district.

Under the ordinance, rural service district land would be taxed at 25 percent less than the urban district since the land does not use utilities.

The council plans to adopt the ordinance July 9.

In other action, the City Attorney discussed junk ordinance enforcement and fines of $185, which would include court costs.

Council members suggested the Sheriff’s Department and a council member explain to property owners that junk must be removed or the owner will be cited and need to go to court. Council members may talk privately with owners to enforce the ordinance. If the junk is removed there would be no fine or court.

The council noted that a few property owners have been cited, but no removal of junk has occurred. They will try again to impress upon these residents the importance of abiding by the ordinance to help keep the city clean and safe.

In other business, the council:

o Approved a permit to raise pheasant hens in city limits.

o Approved a permit for Legends 2 to close Center Street to the alley for a street dance on June 29.

o Awarded a paving and street repair contract to M&R Paving and Excavation.

o Awarded a sealcoating contract to Pearson Brothers.

o Agreed that the mural building should be demolished. The city will begin a process to do so with inspections and bids.

o Reminded John Gibeau that the six-month trial period for the Ceylon Fitness and the Eye Play program is almost over and asked what he plans for the old city hall building. Gibeau offered to pay $25 per month for part of the utilities and asked what else is being done for children in Ceylon. The council asked him to make specific hours and dates available for the Eye Play and fitness equipment, and gave him six months to show the program is being used.

o Heard a report that the citywide cleanup day went well, with two trucks filled.

o Heard a report that a phone app to help track work hours of city employees will be implemented for a month and the council will get a report at the next meeting.

o Heard a report that the Minnesota Twins donated 35 tickets to the Ceylon First nonprofit for the July 20 game. The tickets are free but transportation to the game is up to the resident obtaining the tickets. Residents may contact Gibeau for information.

o Learned that the next meeting will be 6 p.m. July 9 at City Hall.