City Council Regular Meeting Minutes

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Douglas on November 13, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Ramsey, Vogel, Borland and Custer; Bowman was absent. Staff present was City Administrator, Allison Kitzman, City Clerk, Dawne Bowman and Public Works, Quent Dalton. Other visitors were John Borland, Matt Hanson, Dennis and Gwen Elliott, Jessica and Austin Miller, Keaton Clayton, Deputy Pafford, Deputy Couch and Colleen Larimer.

Custer made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Borland made a motion to approve 10/22/18 meeting minutes, seconded by Vogel, all ayes, motion carried. Vogel made a motion to approve the payment of the bills, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried. Custer made a motion to approve October 2018 Clerk Treasurer Report, seconded by Vogel, all ayes, motion carried.

Borland made a motion to approve Pay Application #13 to CL Carroll for WWWTP in amount of $150,160.09, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried. Quent Dalton was present to update on the progress.

Custer made a motion to approve CDBG Draw Request #14 the amount of $29,131.00, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried.

Vogel made a motion to approve SRF Draw Request #13 in the amount of $121,029.99, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve Change Order #1 for WWTP, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve Resolution 18-39 Lenox Municipal Utilities 2019 Utility Budget, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried. John Borland was present to discuss some of the budget items anticipated, such as a water project, expansion at Tripp sub-division and a new building to house trucks and equipment.

Custer made a motion to approve Resolution 18-38 Setting Public Hearing for November 26, 2018 at 5:45 PM for FY18-19 Budget Amendment, seconded by Borland, all ayes, motion carried.

Borland made a motion to approve Special Class C Liquor License for Tiger Lanes, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve Dan Ricks to the Lenox Neighborhood Center Board to fill unexpired term, ending 8/2019, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman discussed Gas Cost of Service and Rate Design Study agreement with Consortia Consulting. This agreement would include a complete rate study of the natural gas system with projected rates. The cost of this study would not exceed $10,000. It was the consensus of the council that this would be a benefit to the City, due to the complexity and the amount of funds generated by the natural gas system.

At 5:45 PM a Public Hearing was held for the purpose of reviewing an application for a Bed and Breakfast. There were no comments heard from the public. Custer motioned to close the Public Hearing at 5:46 PM, seconded by Borland, motion carried.

Custer made a motion to approve the agreement with Consortia Consulting for Gas Cost of Service and rate Design Study, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Matt Hanson, along with Dennis and Gwen Elliott were present to discuss the Bed and Breakfast application. The council was assured this property will be used appropriately and have proper supervision, whether occupied by guests or not. Vogel made a motion to approve the application for a Bed and Breakfast located at 305 West Temple, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

Jessica Miller and her children, Austin Miller and Keaton Clayton were present to discuss the Mayor's order to remove or destroy a vicious animal. It was reported that a black lab identified as belonging to Miller had been declared a vicious animal for biting a person in the face causing serious injuries. Miller presented the council with information and characteristics of her dog and assured the council that her dog has never been aggressive toward anyone so she does not believe her dog did this. The council also read letters written from neighbors that have also been in contact with the dog stating that they have never seen the dog be aggressive. Even though the victim identified Miller's dog as the attacker, the majority of the council agreed that it could not be proven beyond a doubt that it was in fact Miller's dog as there are other black labs in town that look very similar to Miller's dog and are found running at large in the same area that the incident took place. The Mayor explained to Miller that it was important that she keeps her dog in her yard at all times and is not allowed to run loose. Borland made a motion to reverse the Mayor's order to remove or destroy a vicious animal, seconded by Ramsey, all ayes, motion carried.

The council agreed for Kitzman to complete the SICOG Community and Economic Development Priorities with information received in the past. This will be on the next agenda.

Kitzman discussed considering a change to Lenox Code of Ordinance Chapter 165, which mainly would affect the downtown business district. Ramsey made a motion to approve Resolution 18-40 Planning and Zoning Board to consider a change to Lenox Code of Ordinance Chapter 165, seconded by Vogel, all ayes, motion carried.

Deputy Pafford discussed the upcoming STEP program and informed the council that computers have been installed in the patrol vehicles so much of their work can be done from their vehicles.

Ramsey moved to adjourn the meeting, Custer seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:37 P.M.