By Nate Smith, Staff Writer
The Washington City Council is looking into a possible ordinance that would limit the amount of people living in one home.
Due to recent situations involving migrant workers hired and housed by area farms, Mayor Larry Haag asked council members if they would be willing to back him on an ordinance that would restrict occupants in a home based on square footage.
Haag said there were two homes where migrant workers were living in cramped conditions, some as many as 20 to 25 people living in a 1,200 square-foot home.
“They don’t allow this activity on a migrant farm,” Haag said. “We are going to be right here on the very same discussion next year because the state is not going to do anything about it.”
The city contacted local health officials, who then let the state Department of Health know of the situations and performed an investigation. Haag said by the time the state did anything about the situation, the workers would be gone. The migrant worker season in this area is about eight weeks.
“They’ve been there for six weeks now,” Haag said.
Haag, because there was a state investigation, could not reveal the farms who are housing the workers. During the council discussions, the farmers were renting local houses because regulations were strict for migrant housing on farm property.
Council members have said the city has explored the possibility before in past administrations, but said the city of Huntingburg may have an ordinance on its books limiting occupants based on square footage.
Haag said any ordinance would not be prejudicial to migrant workers who come through the area.
“This is not against the migrant worker, but this is a way to protect them,” Haag said.
No timetable was given for a possible ordinance, Haag said, but added he and City Attorney Jeff Norris were looking at ordinances, like the Huntingburg ordinance, that would help with the problem.
“We wonder if we do have the capability and we are exploring that capability,” Haag said.
In other business
BUDGET ORDINANCES
Four ordinances for the 2010 budget were introduced during the council meeting. No significant changes were heard and no one spoke during a public hearing about the budget. The ordinances will be up for a vote at the next council meeting.
NOISE ORDINANCE?
When asked by council members, Haag said he and Norris are looking into a possible noise ordinance. Since the issue of loud noise came before the council, Haag said city police have talked with some involved and may purchase decibel meters to monitor loud noises from vehicles.
“It is not only motorcycles, it is loud exhaust, radios and other things,” Haag said.
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
The city entered into a consulting contract with Bernardin, Lochmueller and Associates to create a sidewalk master plan, connecting Washington High School with Lena Dunn and North elementaries schools with sidewalks. The plan will be paid for with a $75,000 grant from the Safe Routes to School fund. Earlier, the city had won funding to build sidewalks near Lena Dunn Elementary School.
Haag told the Board of Public Works and Safety that the city has applied for further sidewalk grants on SR 57 and Flora Street.
SAFETY SIGNS
The council and public works board heard from Hugh Holland from Harvest Fellowship ministries about the possibility of putting school signs, handicapped parking and a four-way stop in front of the Cornerstone Christian School, formerly St. Mary’s school.
Haag asked the police, fire and street departments to look into the situation and give their recommendations, but a four-way stop on W. Main Street would not be an option.
The board did allow a Children Playing sign on N.E. 13th Street and Grand Avenue.
