06/10/1996 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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COUNCIL MEETING JUNE 10, 1996 prepared by Ms. Wyland and Ms. Kenow, the Lino Lakes Community Service Officer (CSO). Provisions of this ordinance includes the following: a resident may keep three (3) dogs on their property without the need for a kennel license; private kennels would be limited to a maximum of six (6) dogs on a lot that is one acre or more with a conditional use permit; a commercial kennel requires a conditional use permit; provisions for licensing both cats and dogs; and provisions for dangerous animals. There has been extensive work in preparing this ordinance. There are some residents who feel that since this ordinance is less restrictive, their concerns should be heard. Council Member Neal noted that he receives many cat complaints. Ms. Kenow explained that all cats are to be licensed and a fee will be charged. Council Member Neal said that he knows of other cities who have enforced cat regulations. In thesecities the ordinance was initially very unpopular. However, after a short period of time, the ordinance did work well. Mayor Landers said that it was his understanding that cats in the rural farm areas were not to be licensed. Ms. Wyland said that enforcement can become a problem in rural areas, however, this ordinance provides for licensing all cats. Mayor Landers said that he has some real concerns regarding allowing more dogs in residential areas and bringing in more kennels. This will increase the need for enforcement and the City does not have enough officers to cover these additional duties. Ms. Wyland explained that the kennels do not generate many complaints. Most complaints are about individual dogs. Council Member Kuether said she has a real concern with the process of licensing cats because the City does not have enough patrol officers needed to respond to the complaints. She said that she has never heard of licensing cats. Ms. Wyland explained that this ordinance was drafted using several ordinances from other communities. Ms. Kenow explained that not many calls involve stray cats although she felt that Lino Lakes did have a severe stray cat problem. She explained that the ordinance was drafted based on the type of calls that the Police Department is receiving. Most calls involve complaints that cats are attacking song birds, depositing in a child's sandbox or are noisy at night. Ms. Kenow also explained that there has been opposition to an ordinance requiring cats to be licensed. Some cat owners felt it was unnecessary to license their cat because it is an indoor cat and never allowed outside. However, stray cats running around do generate many calls to the Police Department. Nothing can be done about these complaints because Lino Lakes does not have a cat ordinance outlining the procedure for responding to these calls. Ms. Kenow explained that the reason she has been interested in licensing cats is to be sure that the cats get proper vaccinations such as rabies and distemper. Council Member Kuether said that adopting an ordinance requiring cats to be licensed would not only be officer time intensive, but would require the need for a vehicle. Ms. Wyland explained PAGE 12