The Lanagan City Council approved the appointment of Jason Helmer as an alderman at the council's Aug. 12 meeting to replace Denise Divine, whose Aug. 6 letter of resignation said she was moving out of the area.
Helmer was appointed by Stan Haywood, mayor pro tem.
The council also accepted the resignation of Nicole Skaggs as animal control and code enforcement officer. The council approved a suggestion by Haywood to move the 10 hours per week budgeted for Skaggs to the police department. He said both officers are experienced in animal control and "would be glad to do so."
Haywood said the closing of the Noel Animal Shelter will force the city now to take loose dogs to the Joplin Humane Society. He said the city will be charged about $50 per animal plus $10 per day.
The council approved charging the pet owners $75 and $10 per day which would be payable to the city before the dog will be released. The pet owner will have to pay at Lanagan City Hall and get a receipt to take to Joplin in order for them to get their pet back.
The council approved two new ordinances. The first places the Lanagan Cemetery under the control of the council and adds all provisions of the municipal code on cemetery property.
Former cemetery board member Bill Cleveland said the city needs to get the property deed "straightened out." He said two numbers on a survey were transposed and the deed needs to be recorded properly. Haywood said he would "definitely" look into the situation.
The second sets the tax levy for 2014 at .7234 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
General News on 08/21/2014