Alba City Council granted an exception requested by Amanda Mooney to the city’s recreational vehicle ordinance, which allows them to be lived in no more than 30 days in a one-year period.

Mooney’s plea to the council last Tuesday resulted in a 90-day reprieve, which will then be revisited, with a stipulation that progress be made on cleaning up the property.

Mooney said the home she shared with partner Buddy Hodge was destroyed in a fire last October, and they were forced to use the RV as living quarters, with plans to clean up the property.

But Hodge went to prison soon after, and Mooney said she has nowhere else to go.

She is caring for Hodge’s dogs and said she has not found an RV park that will allow dogs.

The RV is not hooked to city water or sewer.

Mooney said neighbors have been allowing her to use their shower facilities.

Neighhbors Dena and Donnie Burge said they will help get the property cleaned up and offer other assistance.

Hodge’s probation was revoked on an evading arrest charge, and he was sentenced to five years in April, but has 487 days credit for time served.

Mooney said she expects him to be out in about eight months and hopes to have the property cleaned up before that.

She said they plan to sell the property and move.

Police Chief Juan Ramirez planned to photograph the property the following day so that cleanup progress can be documented.

The council reluctantly approved a 4.5% price increase in the city’s trash service with Live Oak. That amounts to 52 cents per month per residence. The council expressed concern for issues they have had with the service. The price increase is based on the Consumer Price Index and is built into the contract with the city.

The council discussed how best to address the fact that there are no areas within the city that are zoned for manufactured homes.

They plan to take a look at the city’s zoning map to see what residential areas might be conducive to allowing those homes, as well as requirements such as permanent attachment to a solid foundation, underpinning and setbacks.

The council agreed to deed the Alba Community Center to the Alba Economic Development Corp. which plans to take over its operation.

The center was deeded to the city by the Alba Women’s Club which was operating it before disbanding earlier this year.

The annual financial audit for the year ended Sept. 30, 2023 showed the city had revenues of $652,000 and expenses of $696,000 in the general fund and revenues of $453,000 and expenses of $518,000 in the water and sewer fund.

The water and sewer fund expense included the non-cash expense of $120,000 in depreciation.

The general fund deficit had been budgeted at $60,000 but was reduced to $38,000.