City to reconsider second public housing officer

The Lebanon City Council will meet Tuesday, the last of outgoing council members before the newly elected members and the mayor are sworn in Dec. 6.

On the agenda for the second time, the council is expected to debate another first reading of a plan to pay half the salary of a second Lebanon police officer in federal housing.

Officer Dana "Scooter" Sandefur is currently assigned to the area. He has focused his efforts on reducing the illegal drug and gang activity prevalent in the neighborhoods. Lebanon police Chief Scott Bowen said Sandefur was doing such a good job that he was in favor of having another officer to work exclusively in federal housing neighborhoods.

The council held a special called meeting Oct. 22, and the early-morning meeting had just enough councilors present for a quorum.

With every vote needed to pass the measure, Ward 6 Councilor Kathy Warmath balked against the plan and voted against funding half the pay of another patrol officer to work in those neighborhoods.

After he heard about the failure of the measure, Bowen said he would speak with city attorney Andy Wright about bringing the measure back before the council.

At that time, Warmath said she didn't think the people of Lebanon should be footing the bill for anything in a federal housing complex, and that federal housing was forced on the city.

Among the items the council will also consider are:
• an amendment to the city code to permit fireworks sales in the city;

• rezoning 3 acres at 3970 Highway 109 north from agricultural to highway business;

• hiring a dispatcher, a lieutenant and a new officer for the police department;

• funding improved lighting for a city ball field;

• funding to clean underground fuel tanks at the Public Works Complex.

The meeting will be preceded by a public hearing at 5:55 p.m. The regular meeting will begin at 6 p.m.  

Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 615-444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.