Public Works Director Carl Staton reported that the city had impounded seven dogs in the dog pound recently. All of them had owners within city limits and two of them were repeat offenders. "People don't realize that we are not picking on anyone, but we have been getting a ton of complaints about dogs in trash and on other peoples' property," said Clerk Ayvonne Morin. Mayor Debbie Roach said that it was a matter of people taking responsibility for their pets if they decided to own one. On one particular day, Staton reported that the city had gotten four calls about two dogs owned by the same owner running loose in violation of city ordinances.
Under city ordinances, it costs $50 the first time that the city impounds a dog. The second time is $75 and the third time is $100. The fourth time, the dog will be euthanized. In addition, it costs dog owners $5 per day that the city keeps the dog at the pound. One person noted that it costs around $200 to build a fence that can enclose a dog on one's property and come into compliance with city ordinances. "We have no intention of being mean or mistreating people," said Roach. "But there is a common misperception where people ask the neighbors if it's OK if the dogs run loose. But the neighbors don't tell you; they tell us."
Currently, city ordinances state that a dog must be contained on the owner's property. Another question came up about pit bulls. Regarding pit bulls, no new pit bulls were allowed after 1987 and the city does not have to return pit bulls that they capture. The ordinances focus on both breed and behavior; it applies to vicious dogs regardless of the breed. Dogs must be contained on a leash or enclosed in a fence or structure. Other complaints focused on dogs being walked in the park. Most cities back east have "pooper scooper" laws requiring owners to have a scooper and to clean up after their dog if they are walking them. Other cities have designated areas in parks for that.
The city ordinances also apply to cats and Staton said that the city gets complaints about cats as well. The problem is that the city has no facility for cats. However, Staton said that he got a call at 10:30 at night about a stray cat that had gotten in through someone's pet door and that it was frantic and out of control. He said that he and Greg Miller had to come and get it.
The city will turn their lagoon permit in early in order to prepare for any possible changes from the DNR. It is now every three years.
Lifeguards at the pool were discussed; the people who worked there last year all expressed interest in working again this year. Craig and Gina McNeese will manage the pool once again this year. The city is looking for potential subs for this year. The city is in the process of closing out the grant for the pool.
Grant City and other towns in the Midwest were never notified about a renewal of the franchise agreement with KCP&L that was to have gone into effect by January. Consequently, there is a 5% rollback penalty depending on what day is used. The city was finally notified on February 27th. Morin said she had called the Public Service Commission on this matter and that they didn't know what date to use.
Economic Developer Tammy Ueligger said that there would be a gardener's expo that would be held on April 20th and that they were looking for vendors for that event. She said that she was hoping for the business directory by next week. She said that County Market Days would be held during the Smokeoff and the Grant City Sesquicentennial.
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