Residents raise questions on chickens, stop signs and parks; council plans small improvements

Several residents used the public-comment period to ask the council about enforcement of animal and signage rules and to request small amenities.

A resident asked whether a nearby property had received a variance for outbuildings and chicken coops; council staff responded that chicken coops are treated as outbuildings and setback requirements apply, noting the backyard setback is three feet and that the property’s coop appears to be five to six feet from the property line as marked. Council staff advised that animals running loose should be reported to animal control for pickup or citation.

Residents expressed concern about newly observed stop signs at intersections. Council members said they were not aware of any recent authorized stop-sign installations at several locations and pledged to follow up to determine whether signs were replaced by the city or installed informally. One council member recalled a prior conversation about one location and said she would investigate.

On parks and events, Councilmember Karen Caldwell said the city can place pet-waste bag stations in parks and asked staff to order units and consider donor plaques. The council also reminded residents of a volunteer-run dog clinic taking place Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and discussed whether the city could take over the cancelled ballgame fundraiser; councilmembers said the idea remains under consideration and that more volunteer support would be needed.

Council did not enact new ordinances during public comment and directed staff to follow up on animal-control enforcement and signage questions and to purchase pet-waste stations for parks.