The Noel City Council at its Tuesday meeting discussed a lack of funds to complete the city dog pound.

Animal Control, Nuisance and Abatement Officer Rusty DeMoss told the council he needs $600 to $800 to complete the pound.

Mayor Lewis Davis said, "I'm concerned that your department is so much over budget that it's killing us. There's definitely not $800 to finish that dog pound that I can see. We're already in the hole several thousand dollars."

He also noted the department is not bringing in much revenue.

"I don't see how we can (afford it)," he continued. "We've got to start cutting back somewhere."

Alderman William Rose recommended having a budget review to see where cuts need to be made. The council agreed to wait until then to make a decision on the dog pound.

Jeff Jones of the summer ball program told the council he needs help repairing the ball park following flooding this spring. The park was never repaired after the December 2015 flood, he added. The 2015 flood took out part of the fencing, and the 2017 flood took more of it. This year's flood also took a good deal of the dirt from the ball field, which has kept teams from being able to play, Jones said.

Replacing the dirt would cost more than $6,000 because it is a special red clay hauled in from Tulsa, he said. He has thought about planting grass in most of the field and only having the red clay on the base paths and the pitcher's mound, he noted.

Treasurer Jenna Rossi said the city has some FEMA funds from the 2015 flood for the ball park, some of which could possibly be used to repair the fencing. Davis said he would look into what the FEMA funds are for and get back to Jones.

The council also revisited a livable streets policy. Brandy Smith of the McDonald County Health Department said the Missouri Foundation for Health wants communities to be mindful of connectivity when doing road, sidewalk, parks and trail projects. Passing a livable-streets policy would make Noel eligible for funding to fix sidewalks and parks and does not require them to improve anything. Smith said the policy is not binding, it simply states the council will consider connectivity when feasible. The council agreed to have their lawyer look at the policy.