Libby City Council approves amendments to city code

The Libby City Council on Oct. 1 unanimously approved three ordinances amending various sections of city code.

Ordinance 1927 amends Chapter 8.08.010, “Accumulation of Trash and Junk Prohibited,” to conform with state law and county ordinances. It adds language stating that permanently registered vehicles can be considered junk vehicles if they meet the criteria set forth in the code.

Ordinance 1928 amends Chapter 9.52.010, “Public Areas after Hours,” both to “account for fluctuating daylight hours throughout the year” and to add a violation for the act of loitering the code prohibits. Whereas current code prohibits loitering between 9 p.m. and sunrise the following day, the ordinance changes that to “from sunset to sunrise.”

In addition, whereas current code does not make loitering a municipal infraction, the ordinance does, subject to a fine of not more than $300 for a first infraction and not more than $500 for a second infraction.

Ordinance 1929 amends Chapter 5.04, “Business Licenses and Regulations,” “to clarify and streamline administrative procedures related to processing business licenses” and “to remove codified fees and instead adopt and amend various fees by resolution.”

The changes include removing designated fees and removing the requirement for the City Council to hear and vote on business license renewals.

City ordinances go into effect 30 days after council approval.

Council members Kristin Smith, Peggy Williams and Brian Zimmerman comprise the City Council’s Ordinance Committee.

The City of Libby’s municipal code can be viewed online at library.municode.com/mt/libby/codes/code_of_ordinances.