GARDEN CITY — A new ordinance which implemented standardized building codes and a building permit fee schedule was narrowly approved in a split decision from the Garden City Town Council Monday, Nov. 18.

The ordinance which prohibits “any site preparation, development, renovations, improvements, construction or relocation of a building or structure (including manufactured housing),” inside the town without a building permit was first read last month during the council’s October meeting. The permit fee schedule is based on the overall cost of the intended project.

— $1,000 or less: $20

— $1,001 – $49,999: $20 for the first $1,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000

— $50,000 – $99,999: $200 for the first $50,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000

— 100,000 and up: $400 for the first $200,000 plus $5 for each additional $1,000

The ordinance sets a flat $25 permit fee for storage building under 500 square feet and requires they be located either in a person’s side or back yard.

Any person who begins work before obtaining a permit may have these fees doubled and be subjected to a penalty between $50 and $500. The ordinance also allows the town to declare property where “any site preparation, development, structure constructed, reconstructed, enlarged, altered or relocated in non-compliance,” with the ordinance as a public nuisance.

Councilmembers Jonathan Sharp and Patsy Chafin both approved the ordinance while Butch Bradford and Scott Arnold dissented. Councilmember Michael Black arrived late to the meeting and did not cast a vote which left mayor Tim Eskew to cast the tie-breaking, favorable vote.

Following the decision Bradford commented, “If you put a 2 x 4 up on your lean-to, you better get a building permit buddy.” Sharp however argued that without a ratified building code, future retailers and developers building inside the town could be able to side-step many fire and safety codes used by most contractors.

The town also awarded a bid to Vulcan Materials to resurface the portion of Roland Johnson Parkway inside the town limits. Vulcan Materials was previously awarded a bid for the project; however, after it was discovered that the bid had mistakenly omitted several amendments to the original project, the town rescinded the bid during a special called meeting on Nov. 6. The project was rebid with Vulcan Materials remaining the lowest bidder.

Video Industrial Services was also awarded a bid to reline an existing drainage pipe located at the intersection of Roland Johnson Parkway and County Road 532.

In other business the council:

— Approved a $21,000 bid from Kreps Concrete to form and pour a concrete wall around part of the pavilion located at River Park.

— Approved a $6,000 bid from Kreps Concrete to construct a 56 foot long, concrete block retaining wall at River Park.

— Accepted a $502 bid from the Loretto Fire Department to purchase a 2004 skid unit.

— Accepted a $100 bid from Sharp’s Mobile Homes to purchase a custom made skid unit.

— Approved a computer monitoring and protection service agreement with CNI Solutions.

— Approved for town personnel to be off between Dec. 23 and Jan. 6.

— Approved a one-time pay increase of $200 for town employees.