The City of Mexico City Council met on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. in a regular session which was open to the public. Chairman Pro Team Steve Haag, Mayor Vicki Briggs, and council members Chris Miller, Chris Williams and Larry Webber were in attendance.

Among the many resolutions in the docket was Bill 2024-76 authorizing Bruce Slagle, the city manager, to sign contract documents with Morgan Fencing LLC of Thompson, Missouri for the design and build of a dog park at Lakeview Park.

A request for proposals for fencing and installation for the dog park was submitted in the Mexico Ledger, posted on the City’s website and mailed to five vendors. There were two bids placed, one by Mid-Missouri Property Management, which did not meet the required specifications, and another by Morgan Fencing LLC.

Morgan Fencing LLC submitted two proposals for the material to be used for the 5-foot, approximately 1-acre fence: galvanized steel for $39,302 and black vinyl for $41,436.

Ultimately, the Parks and Recreation Department staff chose the black vinyl fencing.

“It is in our capital outlay project and so we do have the monies budgeted for the additional $2,000 if we do go black vinyl,” says Chad Unterreiner, director of parks and recreation.

The 2024-2025 annual budget allowed $50,000 for this fence originally so despite selecting the more expensive option, they still come in under budget.

Council member Larry Webber voiced his concerns over maintenance of the park, specifically waste management and the separation of small and large dogs.

“We can say people are supposed to clean up after their own dogs and some will, responsible people will, others won't,” says Webber. “Who is going to monitor this?”

Unterreiner proposed starting with “self governing” with specific rules posted and if that doesn’t work, bring the issues back to City Council at a later time.

As far as the size of the dogs are concerned, there will be two separate parks. Specifically, there will be a 20 by 5 foot entryway, and a 30 by 100 foot smaller dog park within the fenced acre.

A question of the city’s liability was also raised by Webber concerning dog fights as well as the safety of patrons. City Attorney David A. Streubel declined to speculate about liability in open session.

For now, the dog park will be a free amenity of Lakeview Park. The location was specifically chosen due to the number of surrounding trees which can provide required shade without additional construction.

The project is projected to be completed by the end of February.