2015.04.07 Worksession Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ilk city of INE I DIY V the city that works for you Council Worksession April 7, 2015 5:00 pm Present: Mayor Dave Jacobsen Councilmember Gina Bauman Councilmember Brian Strub Councilmember Paul Jacobsen Councilmember Mary Burg Absent: Staff in Attendance: Dean Lotter, Janice - Gundlach- Assistant Director of Community Assets & Development/Planning Director, Joe Hatch -Code Enforcement Officer Guests in Attendance: Urban Fanning Draft Ordinance Discussion Lotter stated staff has continued to work on revising the Urban Fanning draft ordinance. Gundlach reviewed her changes based on the Council's direction from the March worksession meeting. She commented that a new Ordinance was provided to the Council. She provided comment on the 25 -foot setback requirement. Mayor Jacobsen asked if there would be a specific setback for compost or manure piles. Gundlach reported the Urban Farming Task Force did not address the location of compost or manure piles. She was not aware of any restrictions as to the location of compost piles. Councilmember Bauman appreciated the task force and their efforts, but believed the final determination with regard to urban farming and chickens belonged to the City Council. She feared how residents were currently managing their chickens as the Ordinance had no restrictions. She was concerned with how residents were disposing of dead and sick chickens. Mayor Jacobsen stated that residents in the country expected to see manure or compost piles, however he did not believe that this was expected in suburban areas. He recommended that the Council address this issue. Councilmember Burg questioned how the Council should address this concern. Councilmember Strub did not see how the disposal issue was a concern. He asked if New Brighton was going to regulate how to dispose all animals and pets. He believed that the only concern in Minnesota with any bird flu was from commercial turkeys. Councilmember Bauman believed that the disposal of chickens should be considered as flu viruses could be spread. She questioned why the City of New Brighton was willing to allow 24 fowl on a residential lot. Councilmember Burg did not believe this was a threat or issue that the City should regulate.