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LANETT — In its final regular meeting of the current calendar year, the Lanett City Council on Monday approved an annual contract with the Chattahoochee Humane Society, agreed to spend some federal American Rescue funds to pay a line of credit with Renasant bank, approved a sewer needs study and took action on three public nuisances.

The Humane Society contract is good for 2025. The city agrees to pay the CHS $6,458.34 each month in the coming year. This will allow the city to have more kennel space to house dogs that are being taken there from Lanett.

Humane Society Board President Dantz Frazer and board members Holly Wheeler and Dave Shirley were present for the council meeting and appeared well pleased with the council’s decision. Following the meeting, Frazer told The Valley Times-News that he was especially pleased for the CHS to be receiving a funding increase from the city. He said it could help pay the staff more than what they have been making. Those who work at the shelter do what they do, he said, out of their love for animals and deserve more than they are now making.

The City of Valley has provided for some needed improvements at the local shelter on Fairfax Bypass. More kennel space has been added for the dogs being brought there. Valley has agreed to fund their portion of a new contract. Lanett and LaFayette have been asked to fund there share as well. It’s based on the city’s population and the number of dogs being brought in.

Before a vote was taken on a proposed contract, council members asked questions on the CHS board members about the proposal. Angelia Thomas asked if the city would be charged for the treatment of injured animals that are brought there from Lanett. Frazer told her the humane society would pay for the treatment after they receive the animal. The city pays for the cost of euthanizing animals that are brought there from Lanett. This comes to $65 per dog.

This takes place when an animal that’s been taken there is sickly, overly aggressive or has been badly injured.

Frazer mentioned a situation when a dog had been brought to the shelter after being badly injured after being hit by a vehicle on I-85. Frazer said that euthanization was a better option than trying to sustain an animal in that condition. It’s basically a choice to put it out of its misery.

The council approved a resolution to use close to $200,000 in American Rescue Funds to pay back funds used in a recent project near Tanyard Creek to repair a sewer line. The total cost of this needed project was a little more than $270,000.

The work had to be done because the line had been leaking into the creek and getting into the nearby river.

The council approved another resolution to hire Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood to provide professional services to determine the city’s sewer system needs. GM&C will do the study for $215,000.

Also approved were three resolutions authorizing action to clean up three public nuisances. These actions included properties on South 5th and South 8th avenues owned by Andrae Chambers, South 8th Street (the former New Beginnings Gospel Church building) and a South 5th Street location owned by Red Door Property Investments LLC.

A proposed resolution to hire Alagrant to secure needed funding was tabled for further consideration.

Council Member Tony Malone asked why the East Alabama Regional Planning & Development Commission wasn’t being considered to seek grants for the city.

“They will do it at no cost,” he said.

Mayor Jamie Heard said that’s not necessarily true, that they would get a percentage of any grant the city would receive plus $25,000 up front.

Mayor Heard and members of the council took turns wishing everyone a merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year.

The city will soon be advertising for a new fire chief. The city’s long-time chief, Johnny Allen, passed away in August. Interim chief Jamie Heard has been directing the department since then. He will be retiring at the end of the current year.

Several members of the council thanked city employees for the work they do, They also thanked members of the Restoration Committee for the work they do in holding clean up days in the city.