Puppy dog tales on docket again
By SUSAN MARSHALL
News editor
Peabody City Council heard during public comment Monday evening, a request from a resident to reconsider charging court costs when pet owners are served for failing to tag their pets. She felt late charges coupled with court costs created an excessive fine.
The topic was reviewed with police chief Jeff Pohlman when he later addressed the council in his monthly report.
Pet owners who have not paid for a tag are issued a "notice to appear." Once that notice is issued the owner is in the legal system and must appear before the court to plead his case.
Costs are assessed to cover the service of the court whether the pet owner pleads innocent or guilty. Once the "notice to appear" is issued, the pet owner is in the system and there are costs associated with an appearance before the judge.
City administrator Jeff Benbrook reminded council members that pet tags are due in January. At that time pet owners are required to come to the city office, provide the staff with proof of pet vaccination, and pay a fee for a tag for each pet. However, citizens may purchase the tag anytime during the month giving them, in effect, a 30-day grace period.
At the end of January the pet owner is in violation of the ordinance and a late fee is assessed. The pet owner will be charged $15 to get the tag. If the animal control officer issues a "notice to appear" a court fee of $72 per animal is added to the late charge.
"Council will note that it is now the end of November and almost time to start the procedure over again for the coming year," said Benbrook. "People who are just now paying for their pet tags have had most of the year to comply. They haven't done it. They have violated the law. Court costs are a part of that procedure.
"It is the responsibility of the citizen to learn the regulations regarding his pets. It is not the city's job to teach pet owners how to get a tag or what will happen if they don't," he said. "If they don't want to compound the late charges with a 'notice to appear' and court costs, they should pay the fee in January as the ordinance requires."
Pets acquired during the year should be tagged as soon as they are acquired and have been vaccinated.
In other business, the council:
— heard the mercury-tainted construction material of the former sewer plant will be sent to a disposal plant in Louisiana.
— agreed to take the untagged vehicle at 109 Plum off the nuisance vehicle list once city police confirm the title and tag.
— agreed to enter a float in the Winter Wonderland parade.
— accepted the resignation, effective Jan. 1, 2007, of health and safety officer Deb Buser.
— approved a $425 expenditure to have the lift station serviced.
— heard Cunningham Sandblasting of Joplin, Mo., will send a representative to the next council meeting to discuss the repair and repainting of Peabody water tower.
— accepted a bid from David Hett to replace 45 feet of curb and guttering at Seventh and Sycamore that was removed to repair a water leak.
— heard that windows and doors at the former Butler house will be secured by the end of this week.
— heard one of several educational presentations by Peabody Main Street director Kristen Hooper. Hooper will make several presentations to council members about the mission of the program and the methods used to implement it. Hooper also updated council members about the Christmas promotion and home lighting contest.
— heard from police chief Pohlman that only two campers are still a problem on city rights-of-way. Of the initial one dozen in violation, owners of the others moved them without being told to do so. The remaining two owners will receive letters before the first of the year.
— discussed again the problem of vandalism, youngsters skateboarding downtown, and criminal damage to property. Pohlman said he had been contacted again by a downtown business owner about problems with young people. Pohlman reiterated his intention to begin confiscating skateboards if necessary.
— agreed that a proposal to build a skate park has been in the "recreation commission's court" for at least two years. After discussion, no action was taken.
— heard that Inland Paving has been working on its 2006 street repair agreement and will be finished soon.
— accepted a letter of engagement from Knudson and Monroe for auditing services in 2007.
— went into executive session twice for the purpose of discussing personnel. Performance reviews were conducted for city administrator Jeff Benbrook and Peabody Main Street director Kristen Hooper. On return to open meeting, council approved a raises to $38,000 and $24,000 respectively.
— reviewed an initial draft of the ordinance authorizing the levy of a 1% sales tax.
— heard construction on the new city shop building has begun and reviewed a memorandum of agreement between the city and USD 398 for landscaping at Ninth and Walnut at the site.
