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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSSM121106CITY OF CENTRAL POINT City Council Study Session December 11, 2006 I. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. II. ATTENDEES Mayor: Hank Williams Council Members: Nate Banry, Dick Halley, Bruce Dingier, Becca Croft, Kay Harrison, and Mike Quilty were present. City Administrator Phil Messina; Community Development Director Tom Humphrey; Parks and Recreation Director Katherine Boxer, Community Services Coordinator Matt Samitore; and City Recorder Deanna Gregory were also present. III. BUSINESS A. Addressing Wild/Exotic Animals. City Administrator Phil Messina stated that the topic is if the City Council wants to regulate Exotic Animals, Farm Animals, or enforce a leash law. The Code Enforcement Officer has responded to a complaint about a Bob Cat that is owned by a citizen who lives next to a City Park. There are concerns about what could happen should this cat escape its cage. After some discussion regarding the potential danger of these types of animals it was suggested that the City pass an ordinance limiting the types of wild/exotic animals that are allowed. They felt it was ok for the current owners to be grandfathered into the code. But the city should focus action of the owners and act on their behavior not specifically the animal or type. Parks and Recreation Director Katherine Boxer stated that wild and exotic animals in captivity are regulated by State and Federal agencies. There could be a provision in the Code that they are required to register specific types of animals with the City. It is not clear which department would be responsible for this registration. Conclusion: Staff should return with an ordinance stating that wild/exotic animals are prohibited in the City limits and considered a public nuisance. B. Addressing Farm Animals Mr. Messina and Ms. Boxer stated that in order to keep the CPMC up to date they would like to know which types of farm animals should be allowed to be kept in the City limits. There are several areas of the city that have been grandfathered in as small farms. Some owners have horses, chickens. The CPMC states that these types of animals are not allowed in the City limits. There has been interest in a citizen who would like to move to Central Point but owns a potbellied pig as a house pet. Currently the CPMC does not allow keeping of hoofed animals in the City limits. This person would like the Code changed to allow hoofed animals as house pets. Staff has also been approached by a citizen that keeps special hens for eggs. There was discussion regarding which animals could be considered a household pet, which animals could be kept for health reasons. Conclusion: Staff will bring back an Ordinance stating that farm type animals are not allowed in the City limits with a few exceptions. Chickens are ok, but Roosters are not. C. Dogs on Leases City of Central Point Study Session Notes September 18, 2006 Page 2 Ms. Boxer stated that as the Parks and Recreation Director and a dog owner she would like to change the CPMC to allow dogs in city parks on leashes. They could specify the length of leash and provide more trash cans and bags to help the owners pick up the dog messes. If the Council wishes they could designate certain parks as dog friendly parks. Currently there are issues with dogs in city parks, they are not allowed but the evidence shows people are bringing their dogs in the parks. Parks staff members do not have authority to site residents for bringing their dogs into a city park. If we allow dogs on a leash and provide bags to encourage them to clean up after their pets, we would have happier residents. There was discussion regarding aggressive dogs, what is the responsibility of the City if a dog is aggressive and hurts someone on City property. It was stated that this issue would fall under the code on dangerous animals. That would be a civil matter. The city could not be held responsible for this type of incident. Conclusion: Staff will return to Council with an Ordinance allowing dogs in the parks on a leash. IV. ADJOURNMENT The Study Session for December 11, 2006, was adjourned at 7:42 p.m.