Chester City Council heard a complaint from Dan Devore, a resident of 489 Louella, on the problems he encountered when trying to deal with a groundhog in his neighborhood.   Devore said he and his neighbor’s property have  been plagued by groundhogs.  He trapped the racoon in a cage and subsequently was visited by City Policeman Dawson who Devore said read him his Miranda Rights.  A neighbor, who feeds  the groundhogs, had complained about Devore’s trapping the groundhog and questioned his use of Epsom salts and lavender to block the groundhog from his hole.   Devore asked Council to outline for him the appropriate procedure to handle the groundhog population in the City.    While Devore was told he could “humanely” dispose of the groundhog and that shooting the groundhog met that description, Devore pointed out that firearms can’t be fired in City limits.

          Chester City Police Chief Chuck Stanley noted that either the conservation or humane officer could be called to handle the issue.  Devore said that groundhogs are coming up from the river into a vacant lot behind Taco Bell for food where a resident had planted zucchini.  Another resident of  416 Phyllis Avenue, verified that groundhogs were a problem in the neighborhood and  pointed out that she was sitting on her porch when a groundhog came right up to her planter sparking a fear that the groundhog could be rabid.

        Judy Mobley, a resident of Virginia Avenue, addressed Council to ask what action they were going to take on a house adjacent to her home.   She said the house had burned last year and she had come to Council at the time to complain.  According to Mobley the resale value of her home and her neighbors’ homes are drastically effected by the dilapidated home where trash is increasing in the yard..

      “Not one thing has been done to it,” said Mobley who said the situation has gotten worse.  She presented Council with a petition from her neighbors requesting action on the house last year and she again presented a petition requestion action at the conclusion of her remarks.

      Council discussed the ownership  of the property and will begin the process of notifying the property owners of action to be taken.

     Council recognized the Hancock County Sheriff’s Reserves and presented them with a donation for their assistance during recent events.  Chief Stanley said the Reserves assisted City Police with the 4^th of July celebration and the most recent Teapot Day.

      In other business, Council:

**Approved a change in the City Charter Ordinance which makes the City Clerk position a non-elected, career track position. With the change the City Clerk will no longer be required to reside within City limits;

**Accepted the resignation of City Clerk Courtney Sanlo;

**Approved four employees to attend a Grant Writing Class;

**Accepted the resignation of City Patrolman Jack Mumford and agreed to pay Mumford’s vacation pay;

**Approved a stipend for Ashton McKendrick;

**Approved the repair of the snow plow for $1,070.00

**Approved a uniform allowance of $450.00 for Street Department employees;

**Approved receipts of $144,526.78;

**Paid bills of $195,870.58;

**Placed receipts of $10,144.00 into the building fund;

**Paid bills of $5,018.82 out of the building fund;

**Approved a bid from CGC Building & Development for $12,750.00 for curb repair;

**Agreed to rebid the 9^th Street paving since no bids were received;

**Heard a report from Ann Eckleberry on the Police Pension Fund.