04-22-09 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 22, 2009 The City Attorney noted the proposed requirement that pet therapy visits be logged. Anderson replied that they could comply with that recommendation. The City Attorney felt that the ordinance needed to include a reasonable standard for the number of pet therapy visits per year. Anderson suggested that he work with the City Administrator to define a standard. Anderson indicated that cun•ently they do pet therapy visits on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and two on Saturdays. Their minimum is typically three visits per week. Montour stated that he agreed with the concept, but felt the language in the ordinance needed to be tightened up a little more. The City Attorney suggested that the concept could be approved with the understanding that the Anderson's will work with staff on additional ordinance criteria. The revised amendment could then be brought back to the Council for approval. Montour suggested the ordinance include a definition of credentialed pet therapy. Blesener agreed that additional criteria should be added. Sharon Anderson reported that pet therapy certification is done by either the Delta Society or TDI, and suggested that the ordinance require certification by one of these two organizations. Anderson also agreed that a certain average number of visits per year should be required in the ordinance. Keis noted that a property owner could do pet therapy with two or three dogs and not be subject to the additional requirements that will be included in the ordinance. It is only when a property owner wants four dogs that the pet therapy requirements would come into play. Keis stated that he applauded the Anderson's efforts. His only concern was for when the dogs became too old to work that the Anderson's would want additional animals and would not want to get rid of their older dogs. Paul Anderson stated that they had no desire to exceed a maximum of four dogs. Sharon Anderson reported on the importance of this volunteer effort to her. She indicated that the hospitals and people they work with rely on them, and it would be very difficult to stop this volunteer activity. Anderson stated that they will continue this work for as long as they can. Paul Anderson asked if the Council would act on the issue this evening so that they can begin working with a second team of dogs. He agreed to work with the City Administrator on additional ordinance criteria. The City Attorney suggested that this additional criteria could be presented to the Council at their next meeting for adoption.