Take your valuables out of your vehicle and lock the doors. That was the message from Burns Police Chief Newt SkunkCap at the Burns Council meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 26.

SkunkCap said the thieves are walking around town, checking vehicle doors to see if they’re unlocked. The police are receiving a number of theft reports, and SkunkCap stated that it’s hard to track the criminals as there isn’t a whole lot of surveillance. Thus, he encouraged residents to keep their valuables locked up.

SkunkCap noted that there are also a number of residents receiving scam phone calls. For example, people are receiving a call from someone claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The caller tells the victim that they owe money, and they will be arrested and taken to jail if they don’t pay.

SkunkCap said another scam involves the caller saying that they are from a doctor’s office and requesting personal information, such as Social Security numbers and Medicare information.

“Your doctor’s going to know all that already, so you don’t want to give it out,” SkunkCap said. “Just be cautious about what kind of information you put out there. If you question it, just call your actual doctor’s office or Medicare directly.”

Councilor Liz Appelman stated that she received a call that appeared to be coming from her own phone number, and SkunkCap added that you really can’t tell where a call is coming from anymore.

“There’s a lot of scams out there, so just be very cautious with your personal information,” SkunkCap said.

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City Manager Dauna Wensenk stated that city hall is receiving numerous calls regarding the burn ban, and she wanted to let residents know that it is still in effect.

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The council held a public hearing at 6:15 p.m. to determine if a nuisance exists at the residence of Rocky and Kristi Male at 788 S. Egan. Mayor Jerry Woodfin read aloud the staff report, which cited the nuisance findings in violation of the Burns Municipal Code (BMC). The findings include vegetation that contains weeds, grass, brush, or other forms of nuisance vegetation exceeding 10 inches in height; accumulation of debris, rubbish and other refuse; and old motors and motor parts leaking oil. The report also states that if nuisance conditions are found on the property, the council can issue an order to remediate the nuisance conditions within 10 days or file a protest.

Woodfin also read aloud a letter from Chief SkunkCap noting that Male was previously sent two letters from the city, advising him of the BMC violations, as well as a description of a fence that is in disrepair, and Male failed to address the city’s concerns.

Male told the council that his employment as a wrecker operator has been keeping him busy for 40 to 50 hours a week, and he hasn’t had much time to address the violations. He conceded that the fence is unstable, explaining that he put it up using the existing poles and had intended to come back and reset new poles to stabilize it.

Male said the vehicles on the property are in the process of being fixed so he can sell them. He told the council he is still waiting to get the titles for some of the vehicles as he can’t legally sell them until he receives the titles.

“As far as the vegetation, I’ve asked my kids to clean it up where I’ve been gone a lot,” Male said. “And I’ve got a lot of stuff I’m trying to get done before the snow flies, and that is part of it.”

Male’s mother stated that she would help him abate the nuisances and proposed a compliance date of the end of October, rather than the 10-day deadline.

It was pointed out that the first letter asking Male to address the violations was sent back in April, and a second letter was delivered in July, and nothing was done.

Woodfin said his personal recommendation was to move forward with passing the resolution ordering Male to abate the nuisance within 10 days.

Councilor Dennis Davis stated that if the city moves forward with the abatement process, then the cost of cleaning up the property could fall to the city, with hopes of recouping the cost by liens on the property. If the council allows the extra 30 days to remedy the situation, there is the possibility that the city won’t incur those costs.

Woodfin argued that a substantial amount of time has already passed, and it is costing the city money now by using city resources. He added that city ordinances are written to empower the city, and if they aren’t followed and enforced, what does that say about the ordinances?

After more discussion, the council voted to approve the draft resolution determining that nuisance conditions do exist at 788 S. Egan and ordering abatement. Later in the meeting, the council approved the resolution ordering the responsible persons to abate the nuisance within 10 days.

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City Manager Wensenk reported that a committee has been formed to do an assessment on middle-income housing needs in the community, using funds obtained through a grant.

The construction on Runway 3-21 at the Burns airport was expected to begin Oct. 2, and the runway will be closed for three weeks to complete the project.

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In other business:

• Candy Tiller expressed concerns about vehicles speeding on Washington Street, and she added that Washington School is being used by the charter school, but no school signs have been put up;

• the council voted to donate $100 to the Tu-Wa-Kii Nobi after school program;

• Public Works Director Pedro Zabala reported that the old restrooms at Washington Park have been torn down in anticipation of the new restrooms being built. Later in the meeting, the council voted to pay R Legacy Construction half of the $28,650 agreement for the construction of the restrooms, with the other half coming after the project is completed.

The next council meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, at city hall.