Ferguson council passes dangerous‑animal ordinance, tables short‑term rental and sunshine bills after public comments

Ferguson City Council on Monday approved an ordinance overhauling the city's dangerous‑animal rules, tabled measures covering short‑term rentals and sunshine‑law fees, and removed an occupancy‑permit bill from the agenda after an extended public comment period and debate among council members.

The public comment period that preceded the votes featured repeated calls from residents for a special meeting and town‑hall style discussion of bills 73‑01, 73‑02 and 73‑03. Several speakers asked the council to delay votes so staff and residents could discuss details; others raised personal complaints about a council member.

Why it matters: The votes change how the city regulates animals and set the timetable for whether Ferguson will adopt rules for short‑term rentals or alter how the city handles public‑records (sunshine) requests. Residents asked that the city hold additional public meetings to address concerns about the proposed ordinances and about the removal of an occupancy‑permit item from the agenda.

Public comments and complaints Residents used the three‑minute comment period to press the council on multiple items. Henry…