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Council Meeting <br /> January 9, 1990 <br /> page 8 <br /> • <br /> 1 The Assistant- to the City Manager advised that an article addressing <br /> 2 how City funds are spent will be in the next City newsletter. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 2. Dog Ordinance: The Council received copies of the City Manager's recom- <br /> 5 mended changes to the City's present ordinance governing the keeping of <br /> 6 dogs in the City and their control. He recommended that language be added <br /> 7 to the ordinance to double the fee for repeat offenders. The City Manager <br /> 8 felt this change will financially impact the owner which should help in <br /> 9 eliminating the problem and give the Animal Control Management an incentive <br /> 10 to better patrol the community. He ' is also recommending that when a dog bites <br /> 11 someone it be held in quarantine at the pound rather than making the custody <br /> 12 of the animal for observation the responsiblity of the owner. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 The City Manager also made recommendations for amendments to the <br /> 15 animal complaint procedures. These procedures address barking cog, <br /> 16 dog/cat at large, owner known instances/ owner unknown instances and <br /> 17 dog/cat or other domesticated animal bite. <br /> 18 <br /> 19 The City Manager requested the Councilmembers to review these recommended <br /> 20 changes and if they are approved they will be distributed to all police <br /> 21 officers for implementation. <br /> 22 - <br /> 23 Joseph Sevick, 3505 31st Avenue N.E. , stated his support for the recom- <br /> 24 mended changes to the ordinance and procedures. Counci ]member_-Mar ks- felt_____ ___•_ <br /> --- 25--- ---the increase of fines for repeat offenders would be a very effective <br /> 26 provision. <br /> 27 <br /> 28 Bernhard Preussner, 3209 Skycroft Drive, noted that presently the City has <br /> 29 licensed 101 dogs whereas .there were only 93 licensed in December of 1989. <br /> 30 Mr. Preussner felt the form used for licensing was less than adequate as it <br /> 31 made animal ownership very difficult to determine. The City Manager advised <br /> 32 that staff is presently working on improving the application for an animal <br /> 33 license. The Assistant to the.City Manager advised that the application is <br /> 34 being typed and that only the animal owner will be allowed to purchase <br /> 35 the license. She also. noted that there will be an article regarding the <br /> 36 licensing requirements in the next City newsletter and notices for dog owners <br /> 37 are being put into the March and April water bills. <br /> 38 <br /> 39 Councilmember Makowske indicated she had received a phone call from Ms. <br /> 40 Andrea Preussner stating a .positive response to the recommended changes <br /> 41 to the ordinance. Ms. Preussner had attended a previous Council meeting <br /> '42 indicating her concern with-at-large animals in the City and the .danger <br /> 43 they posed for residents. <br /> 44 <br /> 45 Ms. Preussner requested that the Council review what constituted a viscious' <br /> 46 animal over and above the interpretation of the State statute which addressed <br /> 47 this matter. City Attorney Soth advised that the State statute preempts <br /> 48 any City ordinance to avoid municipalities addressing this issue individually. <br /> 49 He noted that State law governs and Its definition wil-1 apply. 0 <br /> 50 <br />