The Auburn City Council once again discussed the issue of business licenses and who needs them at Monday evening’s council meeting.

Mayor Dewey Roche said he had looked over the business license ordinance and it is lengthy and somewhat confusing.

“Basically I think it says anybody who has a business in Auburn needs to get a $40 license,” Roche told the council.

“It’s not going to be an easy thing to control,” Roche added.

The concern that has been voiced by the council in previous discussions is that the business license ordinance is not being fairly enforced. While more traditional businesses pay the fee, many others who do business in the city do not have to.

Roche said the city may try to get everyone who does any sort of business in Auburn to get a license, even if it is just part time.

“The question is what constitutes a business in Auburn,” said Councilman Mike Hughes.

City Clerk Becka Lagrone told the council that there is a consultant who can help cities learn more about this issue. For no charge, she can run a diagnostic and help the city define what a business is.

“I’d love to have her come talk to us,” Hughes said.

Lagrone said she would look into it.

The council also discussed the continuing problem of dogs in Auburn. Police Chief Scott Harmon said the problem is not as bad as it has been, but there are still several dogs running loose in town.

Council member Gayle Gregory said she recently had a cat killed by a dog that roams her neighborhood.

“You don’t even want to let your dog out,” Gregory said, for fear that a more vicious dog might attack it.

Harmon said he had heard of a dog that had killed a couple of cats but had not been able to find the dog. It is also hard to get the dog warden to come out when a stray dog is found because he does other things and by the time he gets to Auburn, the dog is usually gone.

In other news, the council:

•Agreed to replace some sidewalk on Park Street and add new sidewalk on Hill Street.

•Discussed the continuing effort to bring a Senior Citizens Center to Auburn which currently involves seeking grant money and looking to BRADD for money for a center director.

•Heard and update from Lagrone and Hughes on the new software the city is in the process of getting.