(KLZA)-- The Falls City Council approved a request from Jennifer and Joe Dixon, owners of Close to Home Kennels, to operate a boarding, day care and grooming for dogs at 3109 McLean Street when they met Monday evening.

Joe Dixon said the business actually opened in September of last year and has been very successful. Dixon said this type of business provides a needed service to the community.

The City required that bark arrestors and a solid fence on property lines with adjoining neighbors be installed before the application was approved.

Dixon said the business has local customers as well as customers from as far away as Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas.

On a 5-2 vote the Council approved an animal permit for Margaret Ramsey and Ken Vonderschmidt to allow 4 ponies and 6 calves to penned in at 1801Schoenheit Street. Jim Wisdom and Joe Buckminster cast no votes with Council member Derek Leyden being absent.

In other action the Council approved an agreement with REGA Engineering for paving, sanitary sewer and water mains for the Tiger Trial cul-de-sac.

This will be part of the Wilderness Falls III project at Champions Crossing, with a portion of 31st Street and Abbott Street to be paved by Excel Development. The City previously agreed to a 50-50 cost share for those sections of pavement.

The city share for the work is estimated at $160 - $180 thousand, with the plan to recoup a portion of that cost through tax increment financing.

Council members also approved a commitment of $5,000 in annual funding to Falls City Recreation to provide recreation services for the youth of Falls City.