LOXLEY, Ala. — Because the owners of property at 71 Grimes Lane in Loxley failed to comply with the Public Nuisance Ordinance of the Town of Loxley to clean up the weeds and other debris, they were assessed a $250 fee by the Town.

This motion to assess the fee was passed by all members of the Town Council at their Monday night meeting. A public hearing was scheduled but the owners didn’t show up.

In a letter to Mayor Billy Middleton and the council, Town Building Inspector Jake Traweek explained that on December 13, 2010, “the condition of the above referenced property was declared a public nuisance by Resolution No. 2010-20 and Resolution No. 2010-21 which called for weed removal and other debris. Upon passing the resolutions the owners of the property failed to bring their property into compliance Failure to do so resulted in the Town of Loxley hiring an outside contractor to clean the property for a $250 fee. The property has now been cleaned.”

Jim Smith Lawn Care cut the grass, cleaned up the trash and debris, removed the pool and trees growing in the pool and placed any worthwhile items in the shed, Traweek said.

The council also passed a motion to start legal proceedings against Eric Craig and Charles Glover, owners of a residence at the corner of County Road 64 and County Road 55. Town Attorney Shawn Alves explained to the council the house has fallen into disrepair and has asbestos shingles that need to be removed.

“I’ve spoken to the owners about removing the shingles and fixing the house but they haven’t done anything. I am personal friends with them so it has become a conflict of interest for me to be involved in any legal proceedings against them so that is why I think the town should hire outside counsel for this matter,” Alves said.

Middleton said they would contact Loxley attorney Joseph Shaw to represent the Town. “This house needs to be condemned and torn down according to the state statutes but nothing has been done so far. We need to do something soon.”

In other council business:

-A motion was passed to issue a proclamation for Earth Day Mobile Bay 2011 to be held on April 23 at Fairhope Pier from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

- A motion was passed to move the Utility Capital Reserve Fund from Wells Fargo Bank to United Bank in Loxley because there is no fee at United Bank and Wells Fargo was charging $100 a month.

- A motion was passed to donate $250 to the Town Easter Egg Hunt held on April 16 at 2 p.m. at the Loxley Civic Center.

- A motion was passed to renew the weed control contract with Jerdan Services.

- A motion was passed to approve sending Randall Devine and Ash Wursbach, two Police Department dispatchers, to the Police Academy in Selma in May. The only expense to the Town would be transportation expenses. The academy costs will be paid for by the academy.