2015.05.12 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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May 12, 2015 Page 5 of 13 had poor waste management and were not observing best practices with their chickens. He recommended that the Council not allow chickens as described in Ordinance 834, without strict licensing and enforcement. Susan Erickson, 2012 29`a' Avenue NW, explained she sent an email to the Council prior to the meeting. She expressed concern with the potential of an avian flu being brought into the community. She reported that this type of flu can be transferred to humans and this was of great concern to her. She did not support chickens in the City of New Brighton or her neighborhood. She feared how her property value would be impacted if chickens were allowed. She recommended that the City have more stringent rules in place for properties not in compliance with City Code. Vivian Neumann- Walker, 2205 Long Lake Road, stated that her concerns have been already been communicated to the Council. Andrew Yurista, 331 Silver Lake Road SW, indicated he grew up in New Brighton and raising poultry in this community has been a part of his life. He enjoyed gardening and caring for a small flock of chickens. He expressed concern that this right may be taken from him. He supported the proposed Ordinance and encouraged the Council to allow residents to keep poultry. Clara Buckanaga, 333 10th Street NW #119, was in favor of the City having little or no regulation over chickens. She stated she lived on Golden Pond where geese were bred. She provided further comment on the noises that surrounded her neighborhood stating that roosters were the least of her concern with compared to emergency vehicles, trains and church bells. She requested that the Council remain open minded and noted she was in favor of allowing small bantom chickens. Graeme Allen, 427 11th Avenue NW, thanked the Council for their time. He explained that he had no interest in keeping chickens but has been following this issue. He provided the Council with information from the Centers of Government regarding the potential health effects of chickens. He understood that the number of residents keeping chickens was quite small when compared to the entire City population, and there were few complaints. He suggested that the pros and cons be further considered by the City negating the misinformation that has been circulating. He believed it was cowardly for residents to circulate information throughout the community without siting their name. He presented the Council with his written statement. Yvonne Prokop, 2882 Lake Diane Court, opposed allowing chickens in New Brighton. She agreed with the comments previously made and understood this was a divisive issue. She feared how the tension in this room would spill out into the community after the Council took action on this item. She understood that complaints are made but also realized that the City had no authority to regulate the issue at this time. She recommended that the Council not support Ordinance 834. Courtney Morton, 715 Forest Dale Road, requested the Council not support the current draft of Ordinance 834 as it was too restrictive. She believed there was much support for chicken keeping in the community. It was her opinion there was no reason to change the current regulations and that those already keeping chickens should be grandfathered in. She did not believe it was fair to punish the good folks of New Brighton that have been following good practices for their chickens. She recommended that the original draft of the Ordinance be considered by the Council. Cyd Kellis, 715 Forest Dale Road, explained that toxoplasmosis and histoplasmosis were already in the City's soil through cats and wild fowl. She reported that these were not dangerous to humans. She stated that avian flu was only dangerous to commercial turkey farms. She believed that barking dogs were noisier than roosters or chickens. She urged the Council to reconsider the original Ordinance as it was more fair and comprehensive. Heather Mudgett, 715 Forest Dale Road, reported she has a rooster named Hershey in her chicken flock. She discussed how her rooster has allowed her to improve her social skills and provides companionship. She understood there was a device that could be used on her rooster