PERRYVILLE — Perryville’s Thursday-night council meeting was almost canceled when it took 20 minutes for enough members to gather for a quorum. Eventually, members Adam Gray, Dawn Hastings, JoAnne Reynolds, Tim Simpson, and Brian Caldwell made it to the meeting. Ryan Norvell was absent.

One of the most important items on the agenda — a planned first reading of the city’s alcohol ordinance — was tabled. A special meeting was tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 17.

In other business, the council heard from Police Chief Parker Hatter regarding the city’s vehicle unlocking policy. Hatter said he’s been opening about one car a week, and has opened about 50 during his time at the city.

“We can choose to unlock (the windows), if we want to do so for the community,” Hatter said. “We need to come up with some kind of policy or waiver.”

Hatter plans to have a waiver drawn up for people to sign. He has researched something that would work as a model, but said that most agencies were moving away from that method. Most agencies, Hatter said, are refusing to unlock doors except in emergency cases, like when a child or animal is locked inside a vehicle.

The council also discussed the future of an apartment that the city owns above city hall. Recently vacated, the apartment has had some minor changes in paint. The city has previously charged $500 per month for rent, including utilities, but did not furnish appliances.

Hastings suggested adding a stove and refrigerator to the kitchen. Caldwell agreed.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to furnishing a refrigerator and stove, but we want to go up on our rent,” Caldwell said.

“Right. When you’re renting, things are tight and then having to go purchase appliances on top of that … it would be a little hard for a person to do,” Hastings said.

The council members decided to change the rent to $600 including utilities and to check the prices for used appliances. An update will be presented at the next meting.

Hastings expressed a wish to pass on her research regarding historic ordinances to another member who might be returning in January, as she is not seeking reelection. Simpson agreed to take on the task if he is reelected.

David Walden was appointed to the Danville-Boyle County Planning and Zoning Committee.

The council learned that Main Street Perryville has planned the city’s yearly Christmas festivities on Dec. 3. The events will begin with a parade at 6:30 p.m., then the pilgrimage at 7:15 p.m., with a tree lighting and snacks after.

Follow Kendra Peek on Twitter, @knpeek.