Council advances ordinance to allow domestic dogs and cats at special events after Parks committee recommendation

The City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance amending Section 9.41 of the City Code to permit domestic dogs and cats at city special events, after a Park and Recreation Committee recommended the change.

Director Soult brought the proposed amendment to the Parks and Recreation Committee, which voted to recommend the update and forwarded it to the council. Meeting minutes state: "Director Sol brought to committee changes allowing domestic dogs and cats at special events that take place in the city limits. Chief Jeff Schleeder was present in support of the amendment to the ordinance."

At the Common Council meeting, Councilmember Beeseau moved the ordinance on first reading and Mr. Touche seconded. Councilmember Barrington asked whether the ordinance would include fireworks as part of special events; a city representative clarified that the ordinance applies to the special-event packet as a whole. The council then voted 8-1 in favor of first reading. The record shows one dissenting vote but does not record the dissenting member by name.

The committee also recommended renewing an annual agreement with Waupaca County Department of Health and Human Services for continued congregate meal-site use of the Washington Center; the Parks committee motion to approve that agreement was recorded as carried. The council later approved a senior-center agreement (transcript reference corrected to Waupaca County) on the council floor by a 9-0 vote.