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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-01-15 MINUTES PUBLIC SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMISSION MINUTES OF MEETING January 15, 2013 1. Pursuant to due notice, a meeting of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission was held at the City Hall Council Chambers. 01A. CALL TO ORDER: The January 15, 2013 meeting of the Cottage Grove Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: Brian Hagen, Jodi Lewis, AJ Jannsen, Jim Neuenfeldt, Dave Barkow MEMBERS ABSENT: Lori Hedican, Nick Maciejewski STAFF PRESENT: Deputy Director of Public Safety Pete Koerner, Fire Chief Rick Redenius, Senior Planner John McCool 01B. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chairperson Brian Hagen presented the January 15, 2013 agenda of the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission for review. On a motion by Commission member Jim Neuenfeldt, seconded by Commission member Jodi Lewis, the January 15, 2013 agenda was accepted and approved by the Commission. Motion carried. 2. OPEN FORUM Chairperson Hagen invited citizens present to address the Commission regarding any matters that were not on the approved agenda. There being no items, Chairperson Hagen closed the Open Forum segment of the meeting. 3. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRESENTATION 03A. Senior Planner John McCool regarding poultry and fowl Senior Planner McCool provided the Commission with a short presentation. He informed the Commission that at the Planning Commission’s January meeting, it was decided not to proceed in drafting any amendments to the Zoning Ordinance or Animal Control Ordinance for this matter and that some of the Commission members expressed concerns for health risks that these types of animals might pose in urban neighborhoods. They requested that the Public Safety, Health and Welfare Commission also have an opportunity to review and make recommendations. Page 2 PSHWC Meeting January 15, 2013 At the conclusion of the presentation, the Commission was asked to make a recommendation whether or not amendments to the City Code should be drafted for purposes of allowing poultry and/or fowl in the backyard of urban residential lots. The Commission’s main question and concern was how the City would enforce the ordinance if amended and what would be the challenges. They were advised that none of the cities surveyed were able to estimate a dollar amount for time spent on enforcement. If asked, Law Enforcement could do a review of calls for service pertaining to complaints on poultry/fowl in their cities but this would provide a number only. John McCool did note that the amount of people wanting poultry/foul would be a small percentage. Another Commission member did ask who from the city would enforce? Captain Koerner advised the Commission that enforcement would need to be a coordinated effort. The animal control portion would be handled by the Community Service Officer and anything pertaining to the coop would be handled by the Planning Department. A similar comparison is that with a dangerous dog, the Community Service Officer works with the City Clerk to ensure proper registration and compliance. We do coordinate the kennel inspection with the planning department/code enforcement. The Commission was concerned about the type of coop and how we could enforce the upkeep and to keep it clean. Commission members felt that if the coop did not receive routine cleaning that it would create a health hazard. In regards to coop locations, they were concerned about setbacks from neighboring yards. It was felt that if there were an amendment that the license fee would need to be set high to ensure the person would maintain the coop. Commission member Jannsen was aware of “urban farming” however would not want to see the chickens slaughtered on site. Commission member Neuenfeldt commented in regards to lot sizes, a concern was that if allowed in a smaller lot, how much of the lot is actually taken from the home/structures and driveway. A comment was made that at least 3 acres would be needed. The Commission also commented about having one hundred percent of the neighbors being in agreement with a homeowner being allowed. Commission members felt this would be very difficult to get one hundred percent. Page 3 PSHWC Meeting January 15, 2013 After an opportunity to ask questions and have discussion, a motion to not proceed in drafting any amendments to the Zoning Ordinance or Animal Control Ordinance for this matter was made by Brian Hagen, seconded by Jodi Lewis. Motion carried. The Commission had no additional comments at this time and thanked him for his presentation. 4. OLD BUSINESS None at this time. 5. NEW BUSINESS None at this time. 6. RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COMMENTS AND REQUEST None at this time. 7. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND REQUESTS None at this time 8. STAFF REPORTS 08A. POLICE - Captain Koerner advised the Commission that two new police officers have been hired, Nick Bailey and Scott Schaver. Nick Bailey was a Reserve and CSO here and Scott Schaver was on the Fire Department for 9 years and was a CSO here as well. He added that the city will be hiring two replacement CSOs. Captain Koerner informed the Commission that the city has an agreement with the Woodbury Animal Humane Society to use as our impound facility. Our 10 year agreement with Park Grove Pet Hospital has ended and cost savings was an issue for agreeing to use the Animal Humane Society. There is a drop box for unused medicine drive up located at the South Washington County Service Center so now citizens won’t have to drive to Stillwater to drop off their unused medicine. On January 22, 2013, Cottage Grove Fire Department and Regions will cohost a car seat clinic at Fire Station 2 from 4 – 7 pm. Page 4 PSHWC Meeting January 15, 2013 08B. FIRE - Fire Chief Redenius advised the commission that there have been some position changes. Fire Marshal PJ McMahon’s title will be Deputy Fire Chief/Fire Marshal and have a Monday – Friday work schedule. Also EMS Coordinator Wes Halvorsen’s title will be Deputy Fire Chief/EMS Coordinator and also have a Monday-Friday work schedule. Fire Fighter/medic Andrea Place has been hired as full time to assist with medical staffing. He went on to say shared services agreement with Woodbury is working well. In 2012, there were 2,502 reports filed to the EMS and Fire State Data Base. Of those, 280 were fire related, 2,222 were EMS related. This is up 7 to 9%, but said it’s closer to 10%. Over Christmas, between 12/23 and 12/26, there were 47 calls in three days. 40 were EMS, 7 were fire, 3 of these were working fires. On January 14, eleven members started Fire fighter I and II at Century College and should be done May 4. 08C. COUNCIL - Council member Lerhke introduced himself as the Council Liaison to the Commission and provided some recaps. He advised the Commission that the Pavement Management project has been delayed from last year. He commented the project has a price tag between 7 – 9 million dollars. th He went on to say that Hinton Avenue, north of 80 Street to the Woodbury border will be studied for improvements. He added that there will be a goal setting session with the Council and invited any Commission member to reach out to the Council with any concerns or questions they might have. 10. ADJOURN Motion by Commission member Lewis, seconded by Commission member Neuenfeldt to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, Cyndee Engfer – Administrative Secretary Public Safety Department