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Approved <br />strongly for. He stated something that helped him was important and he believed the urban farmers were a credit to the <br />community. He stated if he could he would move to this community because of the quality of the community. He stated <br />good people were worth more than money. <br />Heather Mudgett, 715 Forest Dale, stated she was autistic and grew vegetables and walked dogs. She read from a <br />prepared statement. She stated animals have helped her a lot and despite her autism, taking care of chickens was <br />something she could relate to. She stated she never thought people would see out her advice and that gave her a sense of <br />confidence. She asked them to take into consideration how the raising of chickens has helped people with disabilities. <br />Cyd Gutz, 715 Forrest Dale Road. She read from a prepared statement. She stated she had assembled some information <br />she had assembled for the Committee including a packet of information previously presented to the City Council which <br />expands upon the City staff report; national and international research organizations; compilation of reports and planning <br />documents outlining urban farming policies; and a study of urban farming published in the Maine Journal of Law which <br />she read. She stated it was unconscionable that today's kids do not know where food came from. <br />Graham Allen, 427 11th Avenue NW, thanked the Task Force for doing this. He stated he was in a unique position as he <br />had been to a lot of door recently as he ran for City Council and became aware that there were probably 100 people who <br />had chickens and most people would not know that. He stated he was not advocating for a specific position, but what <br />opened his eyes was that to understand the issue was to take a look and tour of the farms. He stated on his tours, he did <br />not notice any odors of noise. He recommended they tour the farms and base their recommendations on those tours. <br />An audience member asked if they could hear the comments which were written. Chair Howard responded they would <br />not be reading the comments, but staff could summarize them. However, if someone was interested in seeing all of the <br />comments, they would be available at the City Hall for review. <br />Code Enforcement Supervisor stated there was a form on the City website which people could download, fill out, and <br />drop it off at City Hall or email it to him for the Task Force to review. He stated currently staff had received two <br />comments. The first comments were from Dr. Mary Paidosh, 2842 Forest Dale Road, and the second comment form was <br />from Janet & Manual Rodriquez, 667 19t` Avenue NW. <br />Chair Howard asked if there was anyone else who had already spoken tonight who wanted to make another comments. <br />Steven Flom, 251 14ffi Avenue, stated he lived up in East Bethel because he liked the idea of gardening and farming. He <br />stated he liked living in the area and a lot of people had goats, cows, and chickens. He stated he moved to New Brighton <br />due to the commute. He stated he enjoyed the area, but he did not know if he would like it as much if people were <br />allowed to have goats and chickens. He stated he liked knowing where his food came from and it was important and <br />when they lived in East Bethel, he tried to educate himself on farming. He stated he was a hunter, but he was not <br />advocating that the hunt in his yard. He believed it was important they abide by the mode that people wanted to live by <br />and it was not about regulating specific animals or quantities, but rather to follow what the community wanted and not <br />what individuals wanted. <br />Sean, 11668 Foley Boulevard, Coon Rapids, stated in 1913 coal production peaked in Great Britain and then the World <br />War occurred, in 1971 oil production peaked in the United States and then there was a recession; 1998 Argentina peaked <br />in oil production and the fell shortly thereafter; in 1987 oil production peaked in the Soviet Union and in 1991 they <br />became the former Soviet Union. Globally oil production peaked in 2005 and everything is still running because they are <br />printing 32,000 per second. People need to grow their own food. <br />Kev Kankashvai, stated he was listening to the wording that was being used. He stated urban farming appeared to be <br />getting confused with a commercial farm. He noted a chicken farm had how many thousands of chickens and there was <br />nobody on a city block who could actually run a business as a farm — it was not possible. Urban farming was not out to <br />make large chunks of money. He stated regulations needed to apply and they needed to be spelled out. He stated there is <br />M <br />