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Council advances first reading of broad animal‑control code changes, asks for redlined draft
Summary
After a multi‑year rewrite of animal‑control chapters, the council held a contingent first reading of Ordinance 57‑49 — changes include cat provisions, licensing fee adjustments, an appeals board for dangerous animals and an explicit prohibition on backyard chickens; council requested a redline for easier review and held the motion 6–0.
The Fremont City Council held first reading on July 14 for a substantial update to the municipal animal control code (Ordinance No. 57‑49), a multi‑year committee effort that reworks definitions, licensing and enforcement provisions.
Officer Kelly Steemer, described in the record as a community service officer and supervisor, said the update is the product of about six years of work and multiple stakeholder meetings. Committee members emphasized changes targeting cats, licensing‑fee structure adjustments and retention of an appeals board to address dangerous‑animal determinations and related enforcement actions.
Council committee members said the group reviewed existing ordinances, consulted with other cities and legal counsel, and now present a consolidated rewrite. One substantive policy choice preserved by the committee is a prohibition on keeping chickens inside city limits; the committee noted surveys of other cities during deliberations.
Council members asked for a redline (track‑changes) copy of the proposed ordinance to be provided between now and the next meeting to make comparisons easier. The council moved to hold the first reading contingent on receipt of the redlines; that motion carried 6–0.
Staff said council members will receive a redlined copy before the next review and that legal counsel has reviewed the draft.
