Advance aldermen revoke 2-dog limit

ADVANCE, Mo. --After several months of controversy, the issue of dog control in the City of Advance may well take a less dramatic turn for a while. The 4-member board of aldermen repealed their March 18, 2013 ordinance, which limited dog possession to two-per household.

"We may have been a little hasty," admitted long-time alderman Leeman Shirrell. The other three members agreed.

Meeting in special session on Monday, April 22, 2013, aldermen welcomed the input from a citizen's advisory committee headed by Kim Gramlisch. The group of five had been present at the regular April 15 meeting, as well as the April 16 court session in which a particularly difficult dog case had gone before the judge.

"Limiting the number of dogs is not the answer," Gramlisch said. "The original city ordinance needs to have more 'teeth' in it."

The committee had studied both city ordinances and had written specific recommendations to make the rules stronger. However, the "teeth" did not include a limit on the number of dogs a household could own.

Though Mayor Carl "Pete" Ritter was still in favor of dog limits, he deferred to the decision of the aldermen, who approved of most of the committee's suggestions. A notable difference between the committee and the aldermen was the setting of specific monetary fines for the first, second, third, and fourth offense of the ordinance.

"I talked with the judge, and he said that if we were to establish the monetary amounts, we would be limiting what he can assign," explained Mayor Ritter. "If the offense is serious, he would want to assign a high fine amount, even if it were the first offense."

Committee members agreed.

In addition to the problem of the barking dogs, the committee also wanted the ordinance to address other nuisance features, such as odor and sanitation.

The new ordinance, which is currently being written and is not ready for publication, is also likely to cover such problems as vicious dogs, unrestrained dogs, and physical injury issues.

Mayor Ritter also introduced the idea that many cities have a rule that all dogs must be enclosed in a walled structure, such as a shed, from 11 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the morning. This enclosure eliminates the barking issue.

Alderman Randy Schrader suggested that the city get a "noise meter," as is done in the city of Jackson. This "decimeter" could be used to measure the specific noise level of any loud nuisance within the city.

Much discussion ensued concerning initial warnings. For example, is it acceptable to call a dog owner on the phone to suggest that they try to control their dogs' barking? Mayor Ritter is to check with the city attorney on this question.

Alderman Shirrell said he was particularly concerned by the story of one elderly gentleman who came to the April 15 meeting.

"No citizen of Advance should be afraid to file a complaint," said Shirrell, referring to the threats which had reportedly been made against that citizen.

After much discussion, aldermen voted to repeal the March 18, 2013 ordinance which limited dog ownership to two animals.

Aldermen then approved the new ordinance, which included most of the committee recommendations.

"We'll try this for a few months and see how it works," Mayor Ritter said. "If it helps solve the problem--okay. If it doesn't, we'll come back with the dog limit. I'll tell you right now that we've already had some more complaints about a dog breeding operation in town. Our problems aren't over!"

The mayor asked the committee members to "stay together" as a committee for the time being. They all agreed.

As soon as the new ordinance has been put in the paper, enforcement will begin.

The mayor reminded the members of the committee to "follow the chain of command" with complaints--first, call their aldermen, then call the mayor. He will call a meeting, if necessary. Citizens may call City Hall to get cell phone numbers of aldermen, since some have removed their land lines.

In other regular, non-dog business, the board discussed the following issues:

* A resident on the northern city limits has requested to be annexed into the city, so he can get city water. Much discussion ensued on this issue, with no resolution. Water can be extended without hiring an engineering firm.

* Aldermen voted to eliminate the sending of late notices to residents who did not pay their water bills on time. This is an expense and aggravation for the city to send out 80-120 notices each month. From now on, the water will be disconnected if the bill is not paid by the 21st of the month. The city clerk informed aldermen that it was the "same people every month."

* The holding tank on the big water tower is in "bad shape," but it is not leaking. Mayor Ritter said that Smith & Co. Engineering is getting bids to do some repair work on the tank.

* Alderman Wayne Page was nominated as Mayor Pro Temp, and this move was approved by the aldermen.

The next regular meeting of the Advance Board of Aldermen will be on Monday, May 20, 2013 at 6 p.m. in city hall on Gabriel Street.