CEYLON — Ceylon City Council this week discussed tax-forfeited properties south of City Hall and between two demolished houses on Main Street.

The City Clerk reported the city has spent about $21,000 on demolishing houses and cleanup this year.

The council approved removing the two properties from the tax-forfeiture sale slated for November.

The clerk will study other tax-forfeited properties as to their suitability for sale and habitation.

The city has received only one bid for cleaning up demolished properties along Main Street, to remove concrete and trees. Council members asked for two bids. and that the concrete be removed now and the trees later.

Council members also asked about site safety, and approved putting up a fence around the holes. This will be done by city employees as soon as possible.

In other business, the council:

o Approved renting the small west room of the Fitness Center (former City Hall building) for $100 per month to Tom Bents.

o Learned the new city employee will start full time Oct. 14, and that he has done maintenance on the payloader, removed planters and housed them for the winter, and winterized the shelter house, so far. Tree trimming, fire hydrant flushing and fencing demolition sites are tasks yet remaining.

o Learned letters will be sent to owners of properties that have damage that has not been repaired. Some of the damage may represent a safety hazard.

o Learned that City Attorney Jim Wilson will retire on Dec. 31 and that County Attorney Terry Viesselman may be willing to help the city.

o The next meeting of the council will be 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at City Hall. The budget is expected to be discussed in detail.