10-11-2023 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 11, 2023 There were no further comments from the public. Upon motion by D. Miller, seconded by T. Miller, the public hearing was closed. Ayes (5). Nays (0). Motion adopted. The Community Development Director stated that an additional setback could be added for lake properties if desired. Mayor Fischer commented that there is not a firm answer on point related to the impact on water and therefore that cannot be decided tonight. T. Miller noted that they would need to ensure there is no dumping into the lake. Gutierrez asked if that was mentioned in regulations from other cities. The Community Development Director commented that they did not come across that type of setback in the regulations of other communities. She confirmed that would be unique to Little Canada if they were to add that type of setback. Mayor Fischer asked the options for disposal of chickens if culling is not allowed. The Community Development Director replied that there are offsite facilities that provide that service. Gutierrez commented that there are butchers licensed by the FDA that will take in chickens for the purpose of culling. She noted that egg laying chickens that people keep in their backyards are often old when they reach that time and therefore are not desired for eating. The Community Development Director commented that a chicken run would be attached to a coop and would be covered to allow additional exercise space for the chickens that would be protected from predators. She commented that people with fenced backyards could allow them to run in their yard, but many people choose not to do that because of the risk of predators. Mayor Fischer asked if the run would be required or whether chickens could run in the yard. The Community Development Director confirmed that the run would not be required and if the yard were fenced, the chickens could be allowed to run in the yard. T. Miller noted that mean that chickens could come up to a fence where a neighbor child may be. Gutierrez commented that a few members of the Council visited residents in Roseville to view their coops. She commented that it is fairly standard to have the coop with an attached, and covered, run. She stated that one home had a fenced area in the yard that contained the run and coop and during the day the owner would sometimes allow the chickens in the expanded area. She noted that resident had not lost any birds to predators. The Community Development Director stated that the draft ordinance provides the option of the fenced in exercise area or the run. Mayor Fischer commented that he would want to see the coop and run as required elements. The Community Development Director confirmed that change could be made to require those elements and make the exercise yard optional. Mayor Fischer asked if there is a regulation relating to manure. The Community Development Director reviewed the language included relating a nuisance. Mayor Fischer commented that there should be something more measurable. Gutierrez commented that it is her understanding is that if people were not composting or providing the manure to a fanner, the person would bag up the manure and dispose of that similar to other pet waste. She noted that chickens eat food scraps and therefore the net waste balances out for most people that keep chickens as they may have chicken waste to dispose of but also less food scraps. Kwapick referenced the licensing and asked if the City is comfortable with those fees and duration. The Community Development Director commented that this was a middle ground in terms of a fee