CITY OF LENOX

A regular meeting of the Lenox City Council was called to order by Mayor Douglas on June 9, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall with the following council members answering roll call: Huffman, Hodges and Cruz; Peterson and Tull were absent. Staff present was City Clerk, Dawne Bowman and City Administrator, Allison Kitzman. Visitors were Colleen Larimer, Carolina Hernandez, Lidia Moreno and Landon Maynes.

Hodges made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Cruz, all ayes, motion carried. Hodges made a motion to approve 5/27/25 regular meeting minutes, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried. Hodges made a motion to approve payment of the bills, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried. Huffman made a motion to approve May 2025 Clerk Treasurer Report, seconded by Hodges, all ayes, motion carried.

Hodges made a motion to approve Lucky Wife Wine Slushies 5 Day Special Class C Retail Alcohol License with Outdoor Service, seconded by Cruz, all ayes, motion carried.

Landon Maynes entered the meeting at 5:33 PM.

There was a discussion on allowing chickens and roosters at 307 South Walnut, as there has been complaints on the noise. Lidia Moreno translated for her mother, Carolina Hernandez explaining that they help with her depression and anxiety. Kitzman stated that our current code considers chickens and roosters livestock and is not allowed in city limits without written permission from the council. Moreno offered to bring them inside at night and early morning to not disturb others. Kitzman mentioned that some other cities have become more lenient on chickens; however, they are still not allowing roosters and this can be looked at when the city is redoing their current code. After a lengthy discussion, the council decided that by allowing them to keep the chickens and roosters, it was setting a precedence for others. Hodges made a motion to not allow chickens and roosters at 307 South Walnut, seconded by Cruz, all ayes, motion carried. Hernandez will have 14 days to remove the chickens and rooster from city limits.

Landon Maynes was present to discuss an easement agreement, as he has had his land surveyed per council request. Kitzman stated she had spoke with Jeff Tull at LMU and they fine with the easement, as there was no interest in selling. Kitzman also noted that the easement would be very specific to include that if the pond would overflow, the City is not responsible, nor is the City responsible for any maintenance, repairs, or graving to the easement areas. Maynes stated he would treat this property as his own and would do all the upkeep and maintenance; however, he would like it noted that if the City were to do any work in the area, that it be put back to original condition. Mayor Douglas explained that our City Attorney would draw up the Easement Agreement; however, Maynes would be responsible for payment of the agreement. Hodges made a motion to approve work on the Easement Agreement with Landon Maynes, with the Mayor and City Clerk having authority to sign off on the easements, seconded by Cruz, all ayes, motion carried.

Hodges made a motion to approve re- appointment of Steve Kershner to the Library Board for a term of 6 years, expiring 7/2031, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman provided the council with a couple options for extended warranty coverage for the skid steer, as the warranty expires in July. The warranty options are comprehensive or powertrain and hydraulic. Hodges made a motion to table this to get more information on what is covered in Comprehensive, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried.

Kitzman discussed the purchase of 2025 John Deere mower. Our current mower was purchased in 2019 and the trade in value is $4,600. Kitzman explained the new mower is a 2025 John Deere diesel with rear discharge and would have to be ordered. Hodges made a motion to approve the purchase of 2025 John Deere Z997R mower in the amount of $20,641.69, seconded by Huffman, all ayes, motion carried.

Hodges motioned to adjourn the meeting, Cruz seconded, all ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 6:10 PM.