Alba City Council spent much of Monday’s meeting looking at ways to clean up dilapidated properties and enforce city ordinances on high weeds and trash.

Police Chief Juan Ramirez said he and his officers issue citations when grass/weeds get over 12 inches, but there is no way to otherwise enforce the rules when citizens ignore the citations.

The need for a code enforcement officer was discussed, a role that the police cannot take on.

The chief explained the lengthy process of having someone on city staff trained to do that.

City Attorney Leigh Thompson suggested the city contract with someone who is already qualified as a code enforcement officer.

Violators who ignored citations could then be brought into court.

The matter will be discussed again at the May meeting after some of the suggestions can be explored.

The council discussed the future of the Alba Civic Center, after the group who built and has operated it for 40 years, the Alba Ladies Club, recently disbanded.

The plan is to turn its operation over to the city’s Economic Development Corp.

The operational specifics were reviewed, including whether city staff could handle the building rentals.

The building is in need of some renovations and repairs.

The council agreed to purchase a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado pickup for the water and wastewater department for $37,429 from the Peters dealership in Longview.

It will likely replace a 2012 model that Public Works Director Paul Kelbe said is not road-worthy.