Monticello Code Enforcement Board met in regular session Tuesday afternoon at Monticello City Hall with Chairman Allen Denny, and board members Rick Allen and Sabrina Flynn present, along with city attorney Winter Huff and City Clerk Alison Pyles. Also present was newly appointed Code Enforcement Officer Erynn Pyles.
It was Officer Pyles first meeting and she told the board that she had no updates as she is continuing to comb through files created by the former officer to familiarize herself with them. It was noted Officer Pyles has been largely focused on business licenses and handling the city’s social media pages since her appointment. Officer Pyles did tell the board she and Mayor Kenny Catron had driven around the city looking at problem areas, trying to determine how to best proceed.
Officer Pyles told the board she will be attending the Kentucky League Of Cities (herein after “KLC”) training on Wednesday (1/15/25) for Code Enforcement Officers.
City Attorney Winter Huff updated the board on proposed amendments to the Code Enforcement Ordinance as presented at Monday’s City Council meeting. If approved at February’s meeting, the amendment will move Business Licenses under the Code Enforcement umbrella, making that a civil infraction with violators paying fines directly to the city, and making the Code Enforcement Board the final arbitrator in those matters. Officer Pyles told the board the only other amendment to the ordinance prohibits landowners from moving “junk” from one location to another since one owner who has several properties had been doing that.
Board member Rick Allen expressed frustration with businesses on South Main Street that have large amounts of junk and other code violations, yet very little or no effort has been made correct those violations. Those frustrations were echoed by other board members with Chairman Denny telling Officer Pyles that 80% of the people passing through Monticello are in four main areas: North and South Main streets, Michigan Avenue, and Columbia Avenue. Denny said he feels that the city should focus 80% of their resources on those areas, with the other board members in agreement.
There was discussion on media not being notified of meetings and not receiving agendas that are emailed to members, a practice that clerk Pyles said is customary for all other public meetings in city government. Attorney Huff and clerk Pyles pledged to address the matter. Attorney Huff said the board certainly does not want to discourage public knowledge of the meetings, attendance or input.
The meeting dates for the Code Enforcement Board for the remainder of 2025 were announced by board member Flynn. Those are: March 11, May 13, July 8, September 9 and November 18.