Valley to hold public meeting on cemetery regulation Oct. 27

BY KADIE TAYLOR

THE LAFAYETTE SUN

VALLEY — The Valley Planning and Development Director, Reid Riley, announced there will be a public meeting on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. EST for locals to ask questions and express their concerns surrounding the enforcement of the rules and regulations for cemetery lots.

“Over the summertime, we have received many complaints on the lack of maintaining our cemeteries,” he said. “So our department has been going through coming up with ideas to try to get them complaints resolved. We've also been doing a lot of documentation. I have left each of you a copy of that ordinance, also copies out front for the public to gather a copy as well. The plan is for us to go through my department, [and] we've asked public works to assist in this, to go through and clean up our cemeteries, get rid of the flowers, the lighting, the things that are against our ordinances.”

District 3 Council Member Randall Maddux read a proclamation and awarded a certificate to Amy Messer to honor the work done by Unite Valley.

“The vision of this is to gather other local and surrounding churches to host a multi-denominational event promoting unity by sharing in corporate worship, prayer and fellowship in one accord,” he read. “This is the sixth year of hosting United Valley and the first year to be held inside the Langdale auditorium. And whereas United Valley is a free event sponsored by donations and services of local and surrounding churches. This is a time for local, city, county and state officials and public to come together, lay aside all traditional denominations [and] political differences by joining together in worship, praise, prayer and fellowship.”

To honor the Valley Arts Council and its impact for 25 years, District 2 Council Member Jim Jones read a proclamation and awarded a certificate to Suzie Britt and Martha Cato.

“The mayor and council formed Valley Art Council by way of resolution over 25 years ago, which plays a vital role in enriching the lives of our citizens through art,” he read. “The Art Council has held three adult shows a year and one youth show a year by supporting and promoting a diverse range of artistic and cultural activities, and whereas the Valley Arts Council had 500 in attendance at their art show and 200 in attendance for the Youth Art Show, with over 45 vendors participatint, while working tirelessly to provide these opportunities for residents of all ages, background and abodes.”

In Other Business

• The council declared the following properties to be a public nuisance and authorized actions:

- 2808 16th Ave.

- 2404 34th St.

• The council voted to impose a weed liens for the following properties:

- 5302 20th Ave.

- 137 Woodland Ave.

- 6508 23rd Ave.

• The council voted to accept bids for a Parks and Rec bus.

• The council approved a budget amendment for the 2025-2026 budget for the Valley Arts Council.

• The council approved a budget amendment for the 2025-2026 budget for the capital purchase of a Bucket Truck.

• The council voted to declare a police vehicle as surplus.

• The council voted to accept a solid waste bid for the 2026-2029 period from 121 Disposal.

Announcements

• There will be a work session on Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. at the Valley City Hall.