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Residents raise dog-control and maintenance complaints; fire chief flags gear replacement needs
Summary
During public comment, residents urged action on off-leash pit bulls and apartment maintenance at Lane Drive Apartments; Clerk Johnson said the owner was given a Jan. 23 deadline to respond. Fire Chief Joey Perkins reported turnout gear and radio mic needs and said volunteer morale is improving.
Several Lake Park residents used the public-comment portion of the Jan. 6 council meeting to ask the city to address safety and property-maintenance concerns at the Lane Drive Apartments.
Sandy Cole said three pit bulls are being allowed out of the Lane Drive complex without leashes and that other residents fear for smaller pets and their personal safety; she said animal control and police complaints to date had not produced a fix. Pat Brown said the property has not been maintained and alleged the owner is requiring renters to pay for repairs, a practice she said harms neighboring homes. City Clerk Lisa Johnson said the city sent a letter to the property owner and the owner has until Jan. 23 to respond. Mayor Jena Sandlin asked Police Chief Artavious Verdell to check into the animal-control reports.
Also during department reports, Fire Chief Joey Perkins presented December activity and said some turnout gear has passed its service date. Perkins estimated a complete set of turnout gear costs about $4,000 (department estimate) and said the department currently would need about four sets to be current; he also said radio microphone units are approximately $400 each. Perkins said morale has improved and that some former volunteers have indicated a willingness to return.
Public Works Technician Jeff Patterson reported the city's engineer has begun a survey and submitted 811 locates to support a GEFA grant application and prepare an updated infrastructure plat. Patterson raised the possibility of using LMIG grant funds to pave Essa Street and Lawrence Street to address potholes; the council later approved using LMIG funds for those streets.
The council appointed resident Carl Spano to the Ethics Committee during the meeting after he expressed interest in the vacancy.
What happens next
Police will follow up on the animal-control complaints per the mayor's request; the city clerk will monitor the property-owner response required by Jan. 23; the fire department will document equipment needs for budget or capital requests.
