Grand Marais city councilors adopted, on first reading, a revised animal ordinance at their April 25 meeting. Some suggestions offered by councilors will be incorporated into the draft and the final version is scheduled for a vote May 9. The updated ordinance will go into effect following another supporting vote and publication in the News-Herald.
Councilors said they were a little surprised and disappointed at the lack of input offered at both the April 11 public hearing and during the first reading. No members of the public were on hand April 25, and only one person spoke at the public hearing, asking that horses be allowed to stay in the city overnight. Council resolved the latter issue by adopting an amended ordinance permitting horses to be stabled in the business park only.
There was some public input offered on the topic in the form of letters. City Administrator Mike Roth said three letters were received in support of allowing horses in the business park, and two were submitted in support of allowing chickens to be kept in the city.
The revised ordinance is intended to address a number of deficiencies in the original statute, including missing sections, obsolete terms and sections not enforced. There were also a number of gray areas and terms not adequately defined (such as “beasts”) which have been either eliminated or more properly spelled out in the updated version.
Significantly, the changes will allow chickens to be kept in the city, with a limit of 12 hens and no roosters, and no farm animals are allowed to be kept overnight unless a special exemption is granted. A stipulation that chickens be kept for non-commercial use only was stricken at council’s suggestion in order to allow eggs to be sold, and slaughtering is permitted. Additionally, a permit from the city is required for the keeping of chickens as well as a permission form signed by a majority of abutting property owners; coop guidelines must be adhered to; and sanitary and humane conditions must be maintained.
Although the ordinance’s biggest changes involve the chicken regulations, also addressed are limits on domestic animals (three dogs); impoundment procedures; leash confinement; and nuisance prevention.
Councilors urged those with concerns or more suggestions to attend the second reading of the ordinance to make their opinions known.
In other business: . A draft ordinance was approved on first and second reading granting a cable franchise to Arrowhead Electric allowing it to provide video services in the city limits. The ordinance and terms are based on the ordinance that grants a franchise to Mediacom and requiresa5percentfee.
. On the recommendation of the Grand Marais Chamber of Commerce, a Storefront Loan in the amount of $1,752.97 was approved to Carl and Beth Foster for signage for Grand Marais Fusion at its new location above the Blue Water Café. . The Grand Marais Art Colony was granted a Street and Sidewalk Permit for the 22nd annual Arts Festival on July 13 and 14. Kjersti Vick said the request is the same as in previous years.
. Council approved the donation of $200 to help fund the annual Cook County Emergency Services Conference. . On the recommendation of Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg, council approved the purchase of a used Toro trim mower at a cost of $14,800. The purchase is in keeping with the city’s long-term replacement plan, said Roth.
• Councilor and park board member Bill Lenz reported that the plaster in the pool vessel is in bad shape and may have to be re-done “at any point in time.” However, due to the expected high cost of the repair and the uncertain future of the municipal pool, council voted to table any action until a “crisis” occurs.
. Councilor and North Shore Management Board liaison Jan Sivertson reported on that agency’s recent meeting, and said an investment effort in more rain gardens on private property is being undertaken.
. Council approved, on second reading, an ordinance governing planned unit developments (PUDs) in the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. The ordinance was placed on hold in March in an attempt to involve the Cook County Planning & Zoning Department in a review or certification process, but the county declined the opportunity. Councilor Tim Kennedy said he was disappointed that the county didn’t want to play a role in the process, but he’d support the city’s ordinance because it was the only way the city could manage the applications. Kennedy had voted against adoption of the ordinance on first reading, citing lack of county involvement.
. A closed session was held with City Attorney Chris Hood to discuss the ongoing litigation and legal strategy involving the city and Burbach Aquatics, and the future of the municipal swimming pool. No action was taken by council.
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