Agenda Packets - 2009/03/23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mounds View City Council February 23, 2009 Regular Meeting Page 2 from the petition. Assistant Clerk-Administrator Crane noted that Mr. Munsterman is present to 1 speak to his application as well as Cindy Palm who circulated a flyer and other residents from 2 this neighborhood. 3 4 Mayor Flaherty opened the public hearing at 7:06 p.m. 5 6 John Munsterman, kennel license applicant, presented his request for a residential kennel license 7 and suggested it is not fair to require a petition signed by 50% of residents within 500 feet 8 because at least eight houses in that area are currently vacant. He stated they have a mixed 9 family and three dogs, one that left for a while but is now back. Mr. Munsterman explained he 10 misunderstood the Code requirement, thinking a kennel license was required for four dogs. He 11 advised he purchased bark collars so the dogs bark or howl occasionally, but not all hours of the 12 day as stated on the flyer. He advised the dogs are always indoors by 10:30 p.m., they installed a 13 six-foot privacy fence, and he believes the flyer results in defamation of character since the 14 statements are not factual nor brought to his attention. 15 16 Mr. Munsterman advised of a recent issue, which they have tried to correct, and that they 17 installed a new gate so the dogs cannot get out. He stated he shovels his neighbor’s driveway 18 and helps when asked so he does not understand the flyer’s indication he is not “neighborly.” He 19 advised that people have tried to get his dogs to bark and howl and there are dogs a few doors 20 away on either side of his house that also bark, but not excessively. He felt the flyer tried to 21 make his Weinmaraner sound vicious, which is not the case and he is afraid of harassment from 22 these neighbors even if he gets rid of one dog. 23 24 Steve Jungwirth, 2236 Pinewood Drive, stated he is a dog owner, believed the flyer to be 25 disturbing, and had talked with Mr. Munsterman and found his dogs to be very friendly. He 26 advised of two other dogs allowed to run loose in the neighborhood. Mr. Jungwirth stated he has 27 not heard Munsterman’s dogs barking while walking his dogs late at night, they have a gated 28 fence, bark collars, and a right to have dogs. Mr. Jungwirth stated his intention to get a 29 Weinmaraner and expressed concern that he will be harassed in the same manner. 30 31 Cindy Palm, 2266 Terrace Drive, stated she is responsible for the flyer and sees no points that 32 Mr. Munsterman can dispute. She stated that in 2006 Mr. Munsterman had two dogs that were 33 well behaved; however, when they got the Weinmaraner it barked often and caused the other 34 dogs to bark. It also tries to climb the fence, which scares her children and does not allow them 35 to enjoy their back yard. She stated she told Mr. Munsterman in May of 2006 that the City’s 36 ordinance allowed only two dogs and he had talked about getting a bark collar three years ago, 37 but just got it this week. Ms. Palm reviewed and commented on the past Police Department 38 reports on the Munsterman’s dogs. She stated they did erect a privacy fence but the dogs have 39 torn down several sections, and several holes remain. She pointed out that none of the immediate 40 residents signed the petition and if they did have requested their name be removed. She 41 expressed concern that Mr. Munsterman will give one of his dogs to his dad, who lives close by, 42 and the Weinmaraner would remain in the neighborhood. Ms. Palm stated her concern with the 43 Weinmaraner, the dogs being left outdoors during inclement weather conditions, and that three 44 neighbors who have been bitten, unprovoked, by the Weinmaraner. She presented details of the 45