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CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSIO N March 4, 2013 DRAFT 3 certain situation and he wonders if that is a desirable situation . He has i n the past 91 supported a strict free market system for these stores, but he’s chang ed his mind after 92 becoming aware of the regulations and restrictions already in place for the stores. The 93 business owners have brought forward some good arguments – the government is so 94 restrictive that they cannot move into other areas as other business es can in order to 95 profit. Council Member O’Donnell concurred that he is concerned with the unintended 96 impact the restrictions could have. 97 98 The mayor recommends that the item stay on the agenda for further discussion and new 99 ideas. 100 101 5. Animal Regulat ions – Police Chief Swenson reviewed his staff report on the city’s 102 existing dog regulations. The concern about owners not cleaning up after their dogs is 103 directly related to responsibility. Since there is a leash law in place in the city, the 104 violation on picking up after dogs is usually related to allowing a dog off leash. He noted 105 some language in the animal control regulations that require s people to carry a bag 106 suitable to remove dog waste when they are walking and that the language doesn’t in fact 107 require the person to use the bag. That’s a small change that could be made. He also 108 pointed out that for an officer to cite someone, the officer must witness the violation. He 109 ad ded that the Police Department will soon have a YouTube video running on all city 110 animal regulations. 111 112 Public Services Director DeGardner explained that the neighborhood where this 113 complaint originated has a history of this type of complaint. As a result his department 114 sent out a letter to area residents reminding them of th e rules so there can be no excuse 115 that people aren’t aware of the regulations. He added that the neighborhood will be 116 receiving a “doggie pot” this spring (for disposal of animal waste bags). Council Member 117 Rafferty suggested that this is too often is an issue that arises from a neighbor dispute and 118 it’s hard to get to that level of the problem. Counci l Member Roeser asked if the Pol ice 119 Department is seeing good response to their videos since he realizes that education is an 120 important element. 121 122 The cou ncil concurred that no ordinance amendment is n eeded. The mayor suggested 123 that for the resident who complained, there isn’t a clear fix but staff will send another 124 letter to the violator(s). 125 126 6. Charter Commission Expenditures (discussion continued from February 4 work 127 session) – Charter Commissioner Kelly Gunderson reviewed written information she had 128 provided on the cost of meeting minutes services through the Timesaver’s company. 129 She noted that at the last Charter Commission meeting, Mayor Reinert a ddressed the 130 Commission about developing a better relationship between the two groups. Having the 131 services of a professional minute taker is one issue identified. Ms. Gunderson indicated 132 that the Commission is interested in having a secretarial service f or minutes as was done 133 in the past. The Commission has generally only used those outside services for their 134