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