Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Monett council weighs Monett Main Street dog‑park proposal amid floodplain and liability questions
Summary
Monett Main Street requested use of a downtown parcel (shown at 913 E. Broadway) for a dog park; council discussed three options—deed the parcel to the group, retain city ownership with a development agreement, or take no action—and raised concerns about FEMA floodplain permitting, maintenance, animal disease and bite liability, dog licensing enforcement, and whether $70,000 raised would be sufficient.
Council members reviewed a letter from Monett Main Street proposing a dog park on a downtown parcel (referenced on presentation maps as 913 E. Broadway) and discussed next steps and constraints.
The staff presentation and council discussion outlined three options: deed the parcel to Monett Main Street to develop and maintain; keep city ownership and negotiate a development agreement that limits structures and assigns maintenance responsibilities; or decline the proposal. Council members repeatedly flagged floodplain and FEMA restrictions on fences and permanent structures, noting that if a fence would restrict flow it could be disallowed on FEMA‑purchased parcels.
Members also raised operational concerns: maintaining a dog park is labor‑intensive, requiring regular waste removal and water management to reduce disease risk, and could raise bite‑liability questions for the city if it retains ownership. Officer Griggs (police) and other members were suggested as stakeholders to consult on licensing, enforcement, and transient‑user issues. Council members asked Monett Main Street to provide cost estimates and clarifications on whether the roughly $70,000 the group has raised would cover construction, fencing, pavilions and long‑term upkeep.
Mickey summarized the ask and urged staff and Monett Main Street to convene feasibility work: "I think Monet Main Street needs to do some cost estimates. They have 70,000, but can you really build this dog park for $70,000 or is it going to be more than that?" The council agreed to form a feasibility group and to pause further commitments until floodplain permitting and cost estimates are available.
Next steps: staff will meet with Monett Main Street, consult Police and parks staff about licensing and enforcement, confirm floodplain permitting constraints with FEMA or floodplain regulators, and report feasibility and cost estimates to the council.
